- What were common characteristic of totalitarian regimes of the 1930's?

- Could Nazism have emerged anywhere in the western world? Could it emerge today?

- How were totalitarian regimes both modern & traditional?

• Depression has greatest impact on US & western Europe
• France: right & left-wing ideologies become popular in midst of economic problems
• US: extreme unemployment & poverty lead to social upheaval & political change
• Germany: drastic unemployment & currency problems escalate popularity of extremist groups
• National Socialists: - battle communists, gain power via political process

• rep. failure of democracy & capitalism to improve the lives of average Germans
• broad-based support amongst German people - all classes, segments of society
• heavy use of propaganda & violence (SA) to achieve political goals
• Hitler appointed chancellor - 1/1933 - becomes dictator w/Enabling Act - 3/1933
• 1933: Nazis quickly implement program: est. totalitarian regime, martial law, anti-Semitic policies

• Nazis strive toward national power, racial purity, national unity (exclusive), economic stability
• Versailles Treaty is thrown out as Nazis launch massive re-armament
• Holocaust begins w/anti-Semitic purges, Nuremberg laws (1935), Kristallnacht (1938)
• Nazis target other enemies: "plutocrats," Bolsheviks, modernists

• progress toward increasing material wealth of most Germans via government control of industry & entire economy
• "Nazification" of culture takes place- affects all aspects of life in Germany
• propaganda efforts are intense - all media is transformed (Ministry of Propaganda)
• youth are targeted (ex. Hitler Youth) by organizations to develop fervent Nazis
• women: a traditional role is expected within Nazi culture

• Stalin & supporters consolidate power by 1928 - initiate purges of enemies
• 1^st & 2^nd "5-year Plans" - massive industrialization effort characterized by violence, terror & limited economic success
• kulaks & nepmen are targeted as specific enemies of the state
• estimated 3-10 million die in 1930's from famines, executions, mass imprisonment
• Stalinism: focused on "one-country" socialism, emphasis on industry, central planning & terror