1. THE RISE OF FASCISM

2. A Definition of Fascism
Fascism – a political (government) philosophy
Glorifies the country
Strong ruler
Aggressive form of nationalism – nation’s cause is to be advanced at all costs
**country has absolute control over every aspect of everyone’s lives
**no individuality
**Italian word for “union of forces”

3. The 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.

4. Italian Fascism

5. ITALY Didn’t get land wanted after WWI, economic downturn
***People looking for someone to save them***
Benito Mussolini – formed the Fascist party in Italy
Gained power – promised employment and to restore Italy to its greatness
Blackshirts – followers who attacked any political opponents
IL Duce – “The Leader”
Reorganized government, assaulted those who did not obey, built up armed forces

6. Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) IL Duce – “The Leader”

7. The Characteristics of Fascism

8. 1. Powerful Nationalism Nation comes first
Powerful and continuing nationalism.
Constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, etc.
Flags are seen everywhere.

9. 2. Disdain/Hatred for the Recognition of Human Rights
Give up human rights for the country’s need – to protect the nation
People look the other way or even approve of torture, summary executions, long incarcerations of prisoners, assassinations, etc.

10. 3. Identification of Enemies or Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
The people are rallied into a unifying patriotic frenzy over the need to eliminate a perceived common threat or foe.
A scapegoat – someone to blame!

11. 4. Supremacy of the Military

12. 5. Extreme Sexism Almost exclusively male-dominated.
Divorce, abortion & homosexuality are suppressed.
Tax on bachelors

13. Emphasis on Physical Fitness

14. 6. Controlled Mass Media
Internet, radio, television, newspaper, magazines are controlled
Positive viewpoints about govt

15. 7. Obsession with National Security
Fear is a motivational tool – people are told constantly that they are in danger, so that they will obey
It uses organized violence to suppress opposition.
Glorification of force.
Accepts the ideas of Social Darwinism.

16. 8. Religion & Government Are Intertwined
Fascist governments tend to use the most common religion in the nation as a tool to manipulate public opinion.
They meld religious doctrine, symbolism, mythology, etc., into their policies

17. 9. Corporate Power is Protected 10. Labor Power is Suppressed
Rich businessmen and fascist leaders work together
Labor unions are eliminated

18. 11. Educated People and the Arts are Hated
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.

19. 12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
Police are given limitless power

20. 13. Cronyism & Corruption
Fascist leaders put friends and relatives in high government positions.
National resources and even treasures can be outright stolen by government leaders.

21. 14. Fraudulent Elections Sometimes elections are a complete sham.
Other times, elections are manipulated by smear campaigns against or even assassination of opposition candidates.

22. Mussolini Was Hitler’s Role Model

23. Adolf Hitler

24. Germany’s economic problems – inflation (money worthless), heavy payments due to defeat (compensation)
America gives $200 million in loans

25. Early life – Born in Austria, failed as artist, high school dropout, won Iron Cross 2x in army during WWI
Nazi Party – National Socialist Workers’ Party – conservative political group
Beliefs – Treaty of Versailles is wrong, formed German fascism (Nazism), adopted swastika as symbol
Brownshirts – private army of young veterans and street thugs

28. 1st attempt to seize power – failed and was arrested, received five years, served less than 9 months
Mein Kampf – Hitler’s book
Germans not responsible for losing war
vowed to regain lost land
blamed Jews, Gypsies, Slavs for losing
Germans “Aryans” were a master race – others inferior or subhuman
Germany is overcrowded and needs space – expand and kill inferiors
“My Struggle”

30. Hitler became chancellor of Germany – named by President – thought he could use Hitler for own purposes
Won election – stirred up fear of communism, called for elections, people turned to Hitler to help with economic depression

32. 3rd Reich (Third Empire)
Named “Der Fuhrer” (the leader)
Restored military might – ordered factories to make weapons
Ignored Treaty of Versailles
Brought arts under his control and imposed his ideas
Used press, radio, and movies as Nazi propaganda
Stressed importance of a strong military and devotion to nation and leader
Organizations to mold youth into Nazis

33. “The youth must be indifferent to pain
“The youth must be indifferent to pain. There must be no weakness or tenderness in it. I intend to have an athletic youth--that is the first and the chief thing... I will have no intellectual training. Knowledge is ruin to my young men."
By 1939, about 90% of the "Aryan" children in Germany belonged to Nazi youth groups. The Nazis indoctrinated boys and girls in their duties to the state from a young age.
They sacrifice all for the people Race, military training, leadership, religion! These are the four unshakable foundations of the new German National Socialist education!

34. Youth serves the Fuhrer
All 10 year olds join the Hitler youth

35. Pictures from elementary school textbooks

36. 3rd Reich (Third Empire)
Turned Germany into a totalitarian state
SS – protection squad
Anti-Semitism – Hatred of Jews – used as scapegoats for Germany’s troubles
Nuremberg Laws – no citizenship, can’t hold public office, barred students from schools
Kristallnacht – Night of the Broken Glass
November 9 and 10, 1938 – Nazi members attacked Jews on the streets and vandalized Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues
Secret police, Gestapo, arrested Jews – some shot, others sent to concentration camps (prison camps)