The Great Depression and the Rise of Totalitarianism
Aligned to C3.D2.His.6 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
When the U.S. stock market crashed in 1929, banks failed and unemployment spread around the globe. Desperate people in several countries turned to dictators who promised order and national glory, allowing totalitarian regimes to seize total control of the state, the economy, and daily life.
Worked example
In 1933, with millions of Germans jobless and angry, Adolf Hitler became chancellor and quickly banned all rival parties, turning Germany into a one-party Nazi dictatorship within months.
Practice questions
- Name one worldwide effect of the Great Depression.
- Explain why economic hardship made some people support totalitarian leaders.
- Analyze how a totalitarian government controls its citizens differently from a democracy.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
La Gran Depresión y el auge del totalitarismo
Cuando la bolsa de valores de Estados Unidos se desplomó en 1929, los bancos quebraron y el desempleo se extendió por todo el mundo. Personas desesperadas en varios países recurrieron a dictadores que prometían orden y gloria nacional, permitiendo que regímenes totalitarios se apoderaran del control total del Estado, la economía y la vida cotidiana.
Ejemplo: En 1933, con millones de alemanes desempleados y furiosos, Adolf Hitler llegó a canciller y rápidamente prohibió todos los partidos rivales, convirtiendo a Alemania en una dictadura nazi de partido único en cuestión de meses.
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