FASCISM

AP World History

Fascism – Democracy Denied World War I causes Europeans to distrust

democracy Communism Fascism Communism and fascism struggle for control over

many European countries European countries, especially Germany, are

desperate for relief of many ills.

Fascism

Fascism – “State above All” Intensely nationalistic, conservative, reactionary Sought to revitalize their countries through any means

necessary Encouraged violence against enemies

Relied on charismatic leaders, oppression, propoganda,and theatrics to lead

Condemned individualism, liberalism, feminism, democracy and especially communism All these isms “divided and weakened nations”

Fascism

Fascist parties existed throughout Europe but most powerful in Spain, Italy, and especially Germany

Fascism in Italy

Social order threatened (conservative landlords, factory working class, veterans, communists, socialists, oh my!)

Benito Mussolini : “Il Duce” Charismatic – promised order, removal of communists Private army (Black Shirts) Oppression violence “the trains run on time”

Fascism in Italy

State control, state power Democracy suspended

Opponents “went away” – deported, imprisoned, executed Political parties, unions, peasant groups disbanded

Economically – corporate state – make what state needs Culturally looked back to a “pure”, traditional Italian

life Catholic culture Women as domestic beings, purpose to bear more children

for state

Fascism in Germany – The Nazis The Rise of Hitler and the National Socialists

(Nazis) Weimar Republic a disaster, economy terrible Elites attacked democratic politicians and blamed them

for Germany’s problems Workers facing massive unemployment

Elite and middle class conservatives turn toward fascism Urban workers turn toward communism and socialism

Communists vs. Fascists

Fascism in Germany – The Nazis Nazi Party – intensely nationalistic –

Germany was not only great, but her people racially superior

Claimed Germany’s problems were the fault of enemies within (Jews, among others) and enemies without (Britain, France, US) Treaty of Versailles

Used depression to garner support

Fascism in Germany – The Nazis Hitler comes to power democratically Policies did bring Germany out of depression

Keynesian infrastructure projects Rearmament Unemployment in 1932 – 6.2 million

1936 - <500,000

Fascism in Germany – The Nazis Hitler, like Mussolini

Brown and Black Shirts Charismatic Invoked traditional imagery and

values

Hitler, unlike Mussolini Intensely anti-Semitic

Jews as urban, capitalist, and

foreign- all things good Germans were not

Fascism in Germany – The Nazis Hitler achieved power democratically

Once elected, claimed dictatorial power “Der Fuhrer” Scientific racism Increasingly restricted Jewish life

Nuremberg Laws (1935) Kristallnacht (1938)

German race, folk culture celebrated through theatrical rallies, etc

Fascism in Japan

Like Italy and Germany Limited democratic experience Struggled with unionization, women’s rights, in 1920s

Rice Riot 1918 Conflict between communism and right wing

Great Depression Massive unemployment (urban) Japanese doubt parliamentary democracy

Fascism in Japan

Like Italy and Germany Move to right wing

Radical Nationalism or Revolutionary Right Appealed to younger army officers Nationalistic, anti democracy, dedicated to foreign

expansion Turned to large scale public works to bring Japan out

of depression Interested in empire building

Fascism in Japan

Unlike Italy and Germany No major fascist party emerged No charismatic leader like Mussolini or Hitler

Japanese government institutions and traditional beliefs were strong enough to prevent fascist takeover

Fascism in Japan

Military played a dominant role in Japan Focus on military might (martial arts in school) deep, long-lasting respect for military

But even military did not govern alone

Fascism in Japan

Did not reach the level of totalitarianism of Germany or Italy Political prisoners were few, no executions or

deportations Racial purity was directed against foreigners, not

internal minority