FascismFascism

A Definition of FascismA Definition of FascismFascismFascism is a political philosophy that advocates the glorification of the state, a single party system with a strong ruler, and an aggressive form of nationalism.

Totalitarianism- a system of government that aimed to control every aspect of a citizens life. These governments viewed individuals as servants of the state and citizens were allowed few personal freedoms.

Two Types of Totalitarianism- Communism and Fascism

Countries- Germany- Italy- Russia

Totalitarianism means: Total control.

• Control over people’s lives

• Control over what they read

• Control over where they work

• Control over political process

• Control over businesses.

Nazism

FascismCommunism

*These theories, specifically Communism and Fascism, are completely different theories that are bitterly opposed; however they exhibit the same behaviour

Totalitarianism

Communism vs. Fascism

• Both rely on dictatorial rule and a totalitarian regime that maintains rigid control of the people through force and censorship.

• Communism seeks international revolution and appeals to workers. Fascism is nationalistic and appeals to the middle class.

• Communism has no set classes while fascism promises to preserve social classes and defend the ownership of property.

• System oppose each other

The Fasces SymbolThe Fasces Symbol

Comes from the Latin word fasces.In ancient Rome, the fasces were cylindrical bundles of wooden rods, tied tightly together around an axe.They symbolize unity and power.

TheCharacteristics

of Fascism

TheCharacteristics

of Fascism

1. Ideology1. Ideology

A form of extreme right-wing ideology.

It celebrates the nation or the race as an organic community transcending all other loyalties.

Powerful and continuing nationalism. Constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols,

songs, etc. Flags are seen everywhere.

2. Subordination to the State2. Subordination to the State

Fascism seeks forcibly to subordinate ALL aspects of society to its vision of organic community [usually through a totalitarian state].

It uses organized violence to suppress opposition. Glorification of force. Accepts the tenets of Social Darwinism. Is anti-democratic.

3. Cult of State Worship3. Cult of State Worship

The individual had no significance except as a member of the state.

The fascists were taught: Credere! [to believe] Obbedire! [to obey] Combattere! [to fight]

4. The Myth of Rebirth4. The Myth of Rebirth

The “phoenix rising up from the ashes.”

Emphasis on a national or racial rebirth after a period of decline or destruction.

Calls for a “spiritual revolution” against signs of moral decay [such as individualism and materialism].

Seeks to purge “alien” forces and groups that threaten the organic community.

5. Militarism5. Militarism

6. Identification of Enemies or 6. Identification of Enemies or Scapegoats as a Unifying CauseScapegoats as a Unifying Cause

The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe.

This foe could be racial, ethnic, a religious minority, liberals, communists, etc.

7. Disdain for the Recognition of Human 7. Disdain for the Recognition of Human RightsRights

Because of the fear of enemies and the need for security, the people are persuaded that human rights can be ignored out of “need.”

People look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, long incarcerations of prisoners, assassinations, etc.

8. Religion & Government8. Religion & GovernmentAre IntertwinedAre Intertwined

Fascist governments tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.

They meld religious rhetoric, symbolism, mythology, etc., into their policies [appears to give a religious imprimatur to government policies!]

9. Disdain for Intellectuals 9. Disdain for Intellectuals & for the Arts& for the Arts

Open hostility to higher education and academia is promoted.

Professors and other academics are censored or arrested.

Free expression in the arts and letters is openly attacked.

10. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption10. Rampant Cronyism & Corruption

What is Cronyism?

Fascist regimes are almost always governed by groups of friends and associates who appoint each to government positions.

This group uses governmental power and authority to protect their friends from accountability.

National resources and even treasures can be appropriated or even outright stolen by government leaders.

11. Fraudulent Elections11. Fraudulent Elections

Sometimes elections are a complete sham.

Other times, elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates.

The use of legislation to control who can vote.

12. Controlled Mass Media12. Controlled Mass MediaWhy would they want toControl the media?

What are some ways you thinkThey may have controlled it?

13. Labor Power is Suppressed; Corporate 13. Labor Power is Suppressed; Corporate Power is ProtectedPower is Protected

Because the organizing power of labor is the only real threat to a fascist government, labor unions are suppressed or independent unions are eliminated.

What type of government favors the workers?

The industrial and business aristocracy of a fascist state often are the ones who put the government leaders into power. This creates a mutually beneficial business/government

relationship and power elite!

POST WAR ITALY• Italia Irredenta – “unredeemed

Italy”

• Italian Nationalism

• Dissatisfied with the “spoils” of war

• Victor Emmanuel III (1900-1946)

• Parliamentary Democracy

• Prime Minister

POST WAR ITALY• Political Muddle – no

dominate political party

• Peasants seized land

• Industrial Strikes

• Lack of democratic tradition

• Threat of Communism

Facism in Italy

• Facist Governments were anti-Democratic, Anti-Marxist, anti-Parlimentary and frequently anti-Semitic.– Rejected Liberalism.

– Dictatorial

• Founded in Italy Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

BENITO MUSSOLINI• 1883-1945• Il Duce• Italian Dictator (1922-1945)• School teacher, journalist,

public speaker, political agitator

The Rise of Mussolini• Italian Fasci Di Combattimento, “Bands of Combat,”

founded in 1919 in Milan.– Mostly Italian war veterans who rejected Versailles.

• Lead by Mussolini– A former socialist– Broke with socialists in 1914, in order to support joining the war

on the side of the Allies.– Nationalism replaced socialism in his personal pantheon.

• Took advantage of postwar chaos.

Benito Mussolini

• 1922 Leads Black Shirt March on Rome

• King Victor Emmanuel III names Mussolini Prime Minister

• Gives Mussolini dictatorial power for 1 year to bring nation together - changes election laws, dissolves other parties

• Became known as “Il Duce”.

• What do you think of these quotes?

• “All within the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.”

• “Believe, obey, fight”• “War is to man what

maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace.”

Fascist Italy

• Becomes one party state

• Mussolini controls opposition

• Claimed creation of more efficient society “made the trains run on time”

• Lateran Accord - Settles dispute with Vatican - pays Pope for land taken, exempts from taxes - makes Catholicism official faith of Italy.

Italy: Fascism and the Economy• Benito Mussolini attempted to nationalize the wheat industry – the

Great Depression affected Italy anyways• corporatism – planned economy linked to the private ownership of

capital and to government arbitration of labor disputes– industry first organized into syndicates – two groups would

negotiate labor settlements, one from labor and one from management

– corporations – grouped together industries relating to a major area of production• production not increased, but bureaucracy and corruption

increase• to support going to war, government requires citizens to buy

government bonds

ItalianFascist

Propaganda

ItalianFascist

Propaganda

The Fascist FamilyThe Fascist Family

The Fascists encouraged the development of large families.

EducationEducation

The first sentence pronounced by children at school was Let us salute the flag in the Roman fashion; hail to Italy; hail to Mussolini.Textbooks emphasized: The glorious past of the ancient Romans. The limitations imposed upon the present

inhabitants by geography and the West. The imperial destiny that awaited Italy’s future

development.

Fascist YouthFascist Youth

• Why do you think physical fitness was so important?

Emphasis on Physical FitnessEmphasis on Physical Fitness