The Rise to Power of Fascism By: Son Tran Period 4

Prompt  Analyze the rise to power of fascism in Italy and Germany.

The difference between old – fashioned authoritarianism vs. Modern dictatorship Old authoritarianism -based on a king who inherited the throne. -since its purpose and goal was merely survival, the elite of this type of government had no desire for radical changes and often discourage it. -As long as citizens mind their own business and do not try to change things, they were left alone. Modern dictatorship -a group of elites who greatly contributed to the nationalism and socialism cause; titles where not inherited. -wanted a total change in society and total control. They achieved this by fully mobilizing societies toward some goal that they wanted to achieve. As soon as such goals were accomplished, often with enormous sacrifices, another takes its place and the process repeats. -they violently reject parliamentary restraint and liberal values.

After World War I, many young and/or weak countries turned to conservative authoritarianism in order to maintain order and prevent their country from falling apart. However, this type of government had limited control since its main objective was to maintain the statue quo, and not until pre-WWII will we see the rise of rapid change and war in totalitarianism.

Fascism Fascism is a term that modern dictators, such as Hitler and Mussolini, used to describe the supposedly “total” and revolutionary character of their movement. It’s a system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

Fascism in Italy: The Beginning -Before and during WWI, Italy was on the road to democracy -However, the Italian population was still poor, and the peasants were more attached to their villages than the state. -Catholics, conservatives, and landowners were strongly against the idea of liberal institution -Since the unification of Italy did not change the social aspect of the state, class differences were extreme and powerful socialist movement had developed

Cont. -The war worsened the political situation, since the parliamentary government terribly disappointed the Italian nationalists due to their modest gains after fighting alongside the Allies. -The socialist party, along with the radical workers, peasants, and the Catholic party began to rise up and oppose the liberal government. -Mussolini ( ), an Italian WWI veteran and ex-socialist, formed a private army after gaining some support from conservatives and frightened middle-class.

Cont. -This private army, called the Black Shirts, terrorized the Socialist party in order to take them down. -in October 1922, Mussolini’s followers threatened the Italian King to grant Mussolini power, which worked. Mussolini was given dictatorial power the next year.

Benito Mussolini ( )

Fascism in Germany: Hitler and the creation of Nazism -While the young Hitler was living in Vienna, he was deeply drawn into the ideas of Karl Lueger, the mayor of Vienna. -Lueger showed Hitler the enormous potential of anti-capitalist and anti- liberal propaganda. -The idea of anti-Semitism and racism became most passionate convictions, and his explanation to everything. -After Germany was defeated during World War I, Hitler blamed the Jews and Marxist, and continued to fighter

Cont. -In late 1919, Hitler joined a small extremist group called the German Workers’ party, where he made spectacular speeches on his beliefs of anti-Semitism and racism, which gained a large audience. -In late 1923, Hitler decided on an armed uprising in Munich. Though he was later arrested and thrown in jail, Nazism had been born. -In the years from 1924 to 1929, Hitler concentrated on building the National Socialist German Workers’ Party, or the Nazi party

Cont. -The Great Depression gave Hitler the golden opportunity to gain support from the lower-middle and middle class. -By the election of 1930, the Nazi party became the largest party in the Reichstag. -In a mist of a violent electoral campaign, the Reichstag building was partly destroyed by fire. Hitler blamed the Communists for this, and convinced the president of Germany to abolish freedom of speech and assembly, as well as most personal liberties.

Cont. -Hitler then used this opportunity to outlaw the Communist party after they outvoted the Nazi party. -The Nazi party passed the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler dictatorial power for 4 years. -With this powerful position, Hitler with his Nazi party destroyed or gained control of all opposing organizations, turning the German government into a one-party dictatorship.

Adolf Hitler ( )

Conclusion Leaders of dictatorial regimes, such as Hitler and Mussolini, both gained power by taking advantage of civil unrest after the First World War. They both use the power of their fascist supporters to weaken their opponents, and once given the opportunity, eliminate them and gain permanent dictatorial power. They used propaganda and speeches to win over supporter, especially Hitler, who used theses technique to bend the mind of the German people and fill them with his ideas of anti-Semitism and racism.