State the three major factors that led to the rise of Dictatorships in Italy and Germany.
Or
Describe the factors responsible for the rise of Fascism and Nazism under the following headlines:

(a) Dissatisfaction with the Peace Treaties

(b) Economic Disaster in Italy and Germany

(c) Inefficient and corrupt democratic governments

The factors responsible for the rise of Fascism and Nazism are as follows:

(a) Dissatisfaction with the Peace Treaties —

1. Italy joined the War on the side of the Allies.
2. Italy had much to contribute to the success of the Allies in the War.
3. But Italy could have no valuable addition to her territory.
4. When it came to dividing the spoils of War, her allies deserted her.
5. Defeat in the War and conditions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, made Germans feel ashamed and helpless.
6. Germany was forced to cede large chunks of her territory to France, Belgium, Poland and Denmark.
7. Her overseas possessions and colonies were divided among themselves by the Allies.
8. The total strength of the German army was fixed at one lakh, which caused a sense of great insecurity among the Germans.

(b) Economic Disaster in Italy and Germany —

1. Economic conditions in Italy after the War were very bad.
2. War debts and budget deficits caused lots of difficulty.
3. The salaried employees, the farmers and the industrial workers felt the pinch of post-war inflation.
4. The youngmen found all channels of employment closed to them.
5. There were agrarian riots and strikes in the factories.
6. Treaty of Versailles imposed on Germany a huge War Indemnity.
7. The financial crisis forced Germany to borrow recklessly.
8. German economy combined a high rate of inflation with a high level of unemployment.
9. It was owing to this factor that the Nazi party had its ranks swollen by new recruits, especially youths.

(c) Inefficient and corrupt democratic governments —

1. The post-war democratic governments were weak.
2. They could not respond properly to the needs and aspirations of the people.
3. The governments under Nitti and Giolitti in Italy were unable to control industrial and agrarian disorders.
4. Popular discontent took the form of strikes and riots.
5. In Germany the Constituent Assembly, which met at Weimar in 1919, established a liberal democratic government.
6. But from the very beginning Germany was faced with a problem of unstable governments.
7. Between 1919 and 1933, there were as many as 21 Ministries headed by 12 Chancellors (Prime Ministers).
8. The people, therefore, were looking for a strong government, with a firmer economic programme.