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Small Group Activity Using your text, your notes, and working cooperatively - Summarize each of the following IDs Marxism Democracy Totalitarianism Socialism Capitalism The Treaty of Versailles Benito Mussolini Adolf Hitler

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What is Fascism Fascism is right-wing - against: Marxism, Socialism, Anarchism, Communism, Environmentalism Nationalistic - strong emphasis on patriotism and nationalism Totalitarian in practice - Extreme reactionary form of capitalist government - corporate power is absolute, and all vestiges of workers' rights are destroyed Started in Italy (1922-43), Germany (1933-45), Spain (1939-75) The origin of the term comes from the Italian word fascismo, derived from the Latin fasces (a bundle of elm or birch rods containing an ax: once a symbol of authority in ancient Rome). Benito Mussolini adopted the symbol as the emblem of the Italian Fascist movement in 1919.

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Approaches to Fascism Marxism: Blame the Capitalists Capitalism: The Totalitarian Model (AKA Blame the Marxists) German Apologists: Result of Versailles Balanced View: A Result of Modern European Crises

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Causes Long-Term Problems that Produced Fascism Change to Mass Politics - People were turning to other forms of Govt due to immense economic problems Industrialization Resentment toward Liberalism, Emancipation, and Enlightenment Short Term Problems World War I Inflation Great Depression Bolshevik Fear

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Why Italy A method to stop the spread of socialism and communism Mussolini was backed by wealthy industrialists and landowners Middle-Class feared socialist reforms Church viewed Fascism as a method to normalize State-Church relationships Lack of faith in Italys institutions March on Rome King offered the post of Prime Minister to Mussolini The violence of the Fascists (i.e.: blackshirts) intimidated opponents The complicity of the police and the army Quest for a new Roman Empire

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Mussolinis March on Rome

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Why Spain Spanish Civil War A long period of decline since the great days of the Spanish Empire Little progress, lost her empire, and fallen behind in the industrialization process Deep divisions in Spanish society: Landowners vs. Peasants. Church vs. Anti-Clerical movements: sought to reduce the Churchs influence. Conservatives vs. Liberals. No Middle -extremists elements were increasingly popular. Massive divisions between countryside and towns.

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Why Spain The Spanish army had a tradition of interfering in politics. A history of violence within Spanish politics Democracy had never really been established Corrupts Gov. and undermined the concept of democracy The weaknesses of the Govt Failure to carry out reforms Failed to maintain law and order. Army concern at the possibility of a communist takeover. The assassination of the right wing leader Calvo Sotelo in July 1936 Francos regime marked the end of democracy for the next 40 years

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Francisco Franco

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Why Germany The economic collapse of Germany after 1929 The lack of democratic roots in Germany Under the Weimar republic The president had the authority to declare a state of emergency (Hitler used Hindenburgs ability to do this in order to establish his dictatorship

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Why Germany The fear of communism (Hindenburg appointed Hitler as chancellor as a result of such fears) The Nazis exploited the weakness of the Weimar system and often used violence against their opponents The Nazis made use of propaganda to shape public opinion The Nazis used resentment against the Versaille Settlement to their ends. Some other political parties did not support democracy and represented potential allies for Hitler

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Homework 1-page Prcis Read the statement below and respond Resolved: The rise of Fascism within Italy, Spain, and Germany may be best attributed to social unrest, economic strain, and political frustration., particularly after the end of World War I. Do you agree with the former statement? Please defend your assessment