Fascism+(Viviane,+Kathryn)

**Definition:**
 * 1) An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
 * __right-wing__: the conservative or reactionary section of a political party or system
 * 1) (in general use) Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.

**What is Fascism?** Fascism is easier to recognise than define. Nowadays, ‘fascist!’ tends to be used vaguely for anyone with violent, vicious political views. Historically, fascism was a type of political movement which aimed to unite a country’s people into a disciplined force under an all-powerful leader. This leader would overcome all conflicts and failures, creating a glorious future – a nation reborn. **When did Fascism emerge?** Fascist movements were born out of the First World War (1914-18), which tore Europe apart. The death toll, poverty and war depts were immense. This was an ideal breeding-ground for men and movements claiming to know how to restore order and national pride and lead their country to a brighter future. Source: library book: "Fascism", author: Richard Tames, publisher: Hodder Wayland 2000 **Fascism in History:** [|Source 1] [|Source 2] Fascism is an extreme political philosophy that holds nation and race above the individual, advocating the establishment of an authoritarian government with absolute power vested in the leader. Fascism was at its height between 1918 and 1945 -- the end of World War I through the end of World War II. Europe's general upheaval during that period left it receptive to fascist ideology. But there were differences between in the ideology's implementation.

**The Fascist Countries:** [|Source 3] Several countries embraced fascism between World War I and World War II. Some, such as Norway, Denmark, Great Britain, Belgium, and France, had large fascist movements. Others, such as Spain, Austria, Hungary, Rumania, Poland, and Finland, gained substantially fascist governments. Fascism had the largest effect on Italy and Germany. The death toll due to fascism in Germany was the highest. It was the Holocaust in Germany that was the most significant. Other countries amounted significant losses of life due to secret police and the removal of unwanted ethnic groups. Other fascist countries had a very small death toll, and others did no kind of ethnic cleansing at all. Great Britain still had a fascist movement though, and a sizable fascist political party. The amount of censorship and racism in Great Britain was small compared to Italy or German. Poland was hardly a racist or censored country. Poland had a government where the military ruled the people, and it had a fascist political party. Poland was a fascist country to a certain degree. Not all countries have to have an open, fascist, ruling government to be considered to have elements of fascism. Many aspects of fascism are still around today.

**Fascism in Italy:** Mussolini was started the Fascist Party in Italy. He was expelled from the Socialist party in 1915 and he then went to fight in WWI. He was injured and returned to Italy and started a new political party, the Fascist party. The Fascists centered on an Ethnic state, in which they are all united by their heritage and looks. The Fascist party was very violent and soon spread to many areas of life in Italy. The police soon came under control by the fascists and the fascists even started their own militia. The violence increased and freedom was lessened. Secret police and assignation teams (also known as black shirts) had control of the streets. The fascists were very pro-violence, anti-democracy, and anti-communism. The Party believed in only one absolute ruler and the retraction of many freedoms. All other political parties were banned in Italy, so were labor unions. Books and papers were censored, and education was reviewed so that it would favor the fascist government. Mussolini helped the public by the use of public work camps, which gave jobs to the large number of unemployed people in Italy at the time. It also provided Italy with new and improved roadways. Fascism brought a sound economy to Italy during the Depression, but at the cost of freedoms. Benito Mussolini and the Fascist party lost popularity by siding with the Germans. Becoming allies with the Germans became unpopular when the Germans started to lose the war. Public opinion in Italy of Italy’s involvement in the war became extremely negative when the Allies invaded Italy. In April 1945 Benito Mussolini was shot and hung upside down with many of his fellow fascists. The fascist movement was made illegal after the resistance killed Benito Mussolini, and without a strong leader the Fascist party crumbled.

**Benito Mussolini:** 

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Benito Mussolini first worked for the socialist party and then was expulsed from that party because of his Pro-WWI views. He was drafted in September of 1915 and when he returned form that war he started the Fascist party. After gaining much support, he became prime minister of Italy in October 1922. The fascist party then won the next election and Mussolini took over as ruler in 1925. Mussolini spread fascism to other countries. He invaded Ethiopia in 1935 and made that country a fascist colony. Mussolini allied Italy with Nazi-Germany during World War II. The Nazi party was modeled after the fascists. Many opposed this alliance and it made Mussolini unpopular with his people. Mussolini tried to regain power but was overthrown in 1943 when Allied forces invaded Italy. He was shot in 1945 when he tried to flee the country. His body has then hung up to show how badly he was hated for his involvement in World War II. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">**Adolf Hitler**

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<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 97%; text-align: left;">Adolf Hitler was born April 20, 1889 and fought in World War I. He obtained the rank of corporal, but managed to survive the war unscathed. He returned home and joined the Nazi or German Worker’s Party. By the use of his speaking abilities he gained power in this party. He introduced his 25 Points and emphasized Germans being superior, much of this came from copying the Italian fascists. Hitler was named leader of the Nazi party in July of 1921.People followed him because they liked him and his ideals. The Nazi party was elected to power in 1933 and Adolf Hitler was the Fuhrer of Germany from 1933-45.countries to join in the fight against Germany. Hence the start of WWII. Hitler led Germany through the war until its last few days. Hitler took his own life on April 30, 1945.

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">** An example of a cartoon depicting the thwarting of the threat of fascism: ** <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 97%; text-align: left;">