The rise of authoritarian regimes: Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Stalin's Soviet Union and militarist Japan for O-Level Elective History

Why this module matters

Between the wars, democracy gave way to dictatorship across much of Europe and in Japan, and understanding why is essential for O-Level Elective History. The case study of Nazi Germany can be set as the source-based case study, so this is examined content you must know in depth, and the rise of these regimes leads directly into the foreign policies and aggression that caused the Second World War. The skill the module trains is comparing causes across different countries and judging which factor mattered most in each case.

This guide ties together the module's dot points, each with worked detail and practice. See the subject hub at /sg-o-level/history and the full syllabus list at /sg-o-level/history/syllabus.

The European dictatorships

Three of the dot points show how authoritarian rule was established in Europe and the Soviet Union.

• The rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany. Weimar's weaknesses, the Great Depression, Nazi propaganda and promises, the appointment of Hitler in 1933 and the steps to dictatorship by 1934. Study the rise of Hitler and Nazi Germany.
• The rise of Mussolini and Fascist Italy. Italy's post-war problems, the appeal of Fascism, the March on Rome in 1922 and the building of a Fascist dictatorship. See the rise of Mussolini and Fascist Italy.
• Stalin and the Soviet Union. How Stalin won power after Lenin, the Five-Year Plans and collectivisation, terror and the purges, and the cult of personality. Work through Stalin and the Soviet Union.

Militarism in Asia

The fourth dot point turns to Japan, where the path to authoritarian rule ran through the army rather than a single party.

• Militarism and expansion in Japan. The effects of the Depression, weak civilian government, the appeal of expansion for resources, and the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. See militarism and expansion in Japan.

Judging which factor mattered most

The classic essay asks "how far" a single factor caused a regime to rise, for example the Depression in Germany or weak government in Japan. The strongest answers argue that the factors interacted: in Germany the Depression mattered because Weimar was already weak and the Nazis were ready to exploit the crisis; in Japan economic distress mattered because civilian government was already discredited and the military offered an alternative. Always weigh the named factor against the others and decide.

Check your knowledge

Try these under timed conditions, then test yourself with the module quiz.

1. State two ingredients common to the rise of these authoritarian regimes. (2 marks)
2. Explain how the Great Depression helped Hitler come to power. (3 marks)
3. State what happened in the March on Rome in 1922. (2 marks)
4. Explain how Stalin maintained total control of the Soviet Union. (3 marks)
5. Explain why the military came to dominate Japan in the 1930s. (3 marks)