Hitler and Mussolini

Hitler and Mussolini

In the 1920’s and 1930’s, Adolf Hitler in Germany, and Benito Mussolini in Italy, attracted many followers. Hitler and the Nazi party flourished due to the impact of World War 1 on Germany. Mussolini and the Fascist party grew due to the need for a government in Italy. Hitler and Mussolini also used many “illegal” ways of getting themselves into power.

Hitler was able to attract some of followers because of the fall of the Weimar Republic in Germany. But mostly because of the harsh toll the defeat the Germans in World War 1 had on Germany. Mainly because most Germans hadn’t seen a defeat since the time of Napoleon, and the way in which the Germans lost, left the people of Germany feeling betrayed. The German people felt that is someone could bring about a change in their lives that they could be saved from the depression the economy felt, and if someone could make Germany the place they were once proud to live. “Anyone would could denounce Versailles, give Germans a scapegoat for defeat, and promise victories to come could surely expect a great outpouring of support in Germany” (647). The Nazi party promised things like peace in the streets and prosperity. Hitler’s supporters included students who gave him straw votes and big businesses which help his war chest. But Hitler saw his major support and followers in the lower middle class, which included shopkeepers, civil servants, old-fashioned artisans, and farmers. All of these people had suffered in the depression.

Hitler forced himself into power by gaining the majority of the votes in 1933, 37.3 %. This caused the politicians to persuade President Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor. After 6 months of being Chancellor Hitler deemed himself the absolute ruler. He also tried to burn down the Reichstag Building in Berlin, suspended all civil liberties, and arrested the German Communist Leadership. After this Hitler held a quick election the granted him special powers to make laws on his own authority. “Under Hitler’s leadership Germany quickly pulled out of the depression, boosted production, put almost everyone back to work…rapidly