Rise of Totalitarianism

Rise of Totalitarianism Economic Depression to the Election of Adolph Hitler Standard 10.7 Students analyze the rise of totalitarian governments after World War I. • Analyze the rise, aggression and human costs of totalitarian regimes (Fascist and Communist) in Germany, Italy, and the Soviet Union, noting especially their common and dissimilar traits. Time Frame: Two 90-minute blocks Objectives: • Students will be able to describe the experiences of Germans during the 1922 economic depression in Germany. • Students will be able to explain the forces that drove the Germans to support Adolph Hitler. • Students will understand propaganda and its role in government. 1922 Germany – The Depression Materials: • Depression era worksheet (enough for each student to have one). • Transparency: 1922 price and wage listing Procedures: • Review with students the end of WWI and how the Treaty of Versailles left Germany • Explain the rules of the game. It is September, 1922 in German and there is a terrible economic depression. • Each student must feed his/her family for 5 months (a new month begins approximately every 7 minutes). • Rent must be paid every month. • Each student must buy one winter coat some time during the 5 months. • Each student must buy school supplies once during the 5 months. • ”Fate” must be paid for as it arises. • Savings may be rolled over to the next month or used as needed • Distribute the worksheets. Assign jobs so that they are distributed evenly in the class. • Put the Price transparency on the overhead so that only September is revealed. Students have about 7 minutes to decide what to purchase for the month. NOTE: they only have to buy one item of each thing for the month. For example, even though they have a spouse and 2 children, they need only buy one “bread”, one “beef”, etc. • During the game, discuss with the students what they are buying and what they are leaving out. • As all students finish one month, reveal the next month. Follow-up: • Have students answer the following questions as a free write in the their notebook. • How did it feel to live during the German depression of 1922? • If you had really lived through that depression what would you have done to ensure that your family survived and had enough food to eat? • What would you have wanted your government to do about the depression? • Elect a new leader? • Enact legislation? Such as? • What promises would you want them to make? • Discuss their answers. Look at the actual depression and what happened. 1933 Germany – Election Time Materials: Class set of “Election Time” Large (“11” x “17”) paper Crayons, pens and colored pencils Procedures: Distribute and read aloud the “Election Time” handout. Students write their choice for leader and their reasoning. Discussion: who is who in reality? Historical overview of the election of 1932 Why during this time of crisis are people drawn to charismatic leaders? Class discussion of advertising and propaganda techniques Students create their own Election posters for the election of 1932. They may support either von Hndenberg or Hitler? They must use one or more of the propaganda techniques. They should be in color and creative. These lessons were given to me by Helen Murdoch and Melanie Jacobsen of San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, CA at a Social Science Conference several years ago. DEPRESSION OF THE 1920s Name ________________________ Job: _________________________ Work hours: 9HRS/DAY: MON-SAT Family: HUSBAND AND 2 KIDS Each month you must pay for rent. You must buy one winter coat and one set of school supplies in the 5 months. You must also pay for “fate” when it arises. Month One Salary: Rent: Other: Total Expenses: Total Savings: Month Two Salary: Rent: Other: Total Expenses: Total Savings:____________ Month Three Salary: Rent: Other: Total Expenses: Total Savings: Month Four Salary: Rent: Other: Total Expenses: Total Savings: Month Five Salary: Rent: Other: Total Expenses: Total Savings: 1922-23 PRICES (Deutsch Marks) Sept 1 Oct 1 Nov 1 Dec 1 Jan 1 Factory Wkr (M) 1,600 2,300 3,600 11,000 115,000 Businessman 1,700 2,450 3,800 10,000 110,000 Salesclerk 1,500 2,200 3,600 10,000 113,000 Factory Wkr (F) 1,500 2,250 3,500 11,000 115,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rent 1,000 1,500 1,900 8,000 90,000 Bread 20 30 50 200 2,500 Gas for the car 50 80 150 700 9,000 Milk 30 45 80 320 3,200 Apples 50 100 160 800 9,000 Beef 100 250 400 1,800 19,000 Juice 30 40 70 300 3,000 Potatoes 75 150 250 1,000 11,000 Chocolate 15 15 40 160 1,500 Brussel Sprouts 40 80 130 550 6,000 Green Beans 40 80 130 550 6,000 Broccoli 50 100 160 680 7,000 Bananas 60 120 200 820 9,000 Sandwich Fixings 100 175 200 1,300 14,000 Movies 150 200 350 1.400 13,000 School Supplies 100 150 250 1,200 12.000 Winter Coat 400 700 1,300 5,500 60,000 Fate 200 400 6.000 Election Time Assignment Your choices determine your future and the choices made by large groups of people determine history. Below is a situation with two options. You must pick one of the options and be prepared to defend it. Situation Imagine that you belong to a once powerful city gang called the Aryans. Twenty years ago a number of rival gangs got together and beat the Aryans in a major gang war. A lot of people on both sides were killed and hurt. After the gang war, the rival gangs punished you by taking away your car, your guns, your money, and large portions of your turf. As a result your gang becomes poor and loses a lot of pride. Most of your gang members want better times but they also remember the last big gang war and all the people who were hurt and killed It is time to pick a new leader. You must pick one of these two men. Leader One Paul von Hindy is the old leader. He is a wise and thoughtful man. In the original gang war he was a great leader and hero but since that time he has become a very mellow, diplomatic man. A lot of people, even in the other gangs, respect Paul. He believes that things must get better but that it will take a lot of time. He believes that almost anything is better than another gang war. Paul says that while the rival gangs might be unfair, it is better to discuss the matter and resolve it with diplomacy. He says that if the Aryans antagonize the rival gangs, things will only get worse. Leader Two Frank Fascist was in the original war but only as a young fighter. He thinks that von Hindy lacks guts. Frank demands that the Aryans should be as powerful as they once were. He thinks that he can lead the gang back into power because he knows who the weaklings are in the Aryans and plans to get rid of them. He is willing to take a lot of risks to bring the Aryans back into power. Frank is a dynamic speaker and a super leader. When he speaks the gang members feel their old power and pride once again. Frank promises that he will bring back the cars, guns, money, and territory. He has a plan that seems to be good. Frank has the support of a lot of the tougher gang members. Who would you vote for and why? Write the answer in your notebook.