In Europe after WWI, many borders changed, nations broke apart and new governments rose. Many changes occurred, however, different countries handled these changes in different ways. Some European countries turned toward fascism while other European countries stayed democratic. Following the war, the economies of some countries remained strong enough for democracy to persist, however, countries such as Germany and Italy turned to fascism as a result of the poor economic state that WWI left these nations in and, as a result of the rise of extreme nationalism.
World War I devastated countries throughout Europe. Economies collapsed and dismantled the way of life for the majority of people, especially in Germany. The Allied powers had blamed them for being the perpetrator of the war and so they punished Germany severally. In the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin ruled the country with an iron fist that resulted in millions dead and/or starving. In Italy, the country had been promised territory but never received any land.
In summary, the major principles and values of fascism, such as the rejection of democracy, glorification of war, promise of national resurgence, and emphasis on community and discipline, were appealing to Europeans in the inter-war years. These principles tapped into the discontent and desire for a sense of purpose and belonging that characterized the post-World War I era, making fascism attractive for many during this
In the times of substantial death, political rivalries and staggered economies, World War I and the Great depression created long-lasting and influential effects on the world. While these repercussions affected all the countries, some suffered more than others. Moreover, the consequences led to the rise of new political governments throughout the world. After World War I and the Great Depression, some European countries turned to fascism while others stayed democratic because of strong leadership, economic standings and unemployment, and disillusionment with democracy. World War I and the Great Depression fractured many countries into separate pieces.
1918-1939 was known as the Age of Anxiety. During this time, many things in the world showed anxiety. Things like paintings, music, and literature showed examples of restlessness during this period. Some treaties were signed like the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of 5 powers. Multiple disasters happened during this period of economics like the Great Depression and the uttermost nationalism and militarism in countries.
Throughout history, infamous dictators desired to obtain complete control over their respective governments and people, punishing any of those who rebelled against them. We saw this through Hitler’s control during World War II and Mussolini’s leadership in the fascist party. These dictators used drastic means to maintain their control, such as mass genocide and incarceration. Although they may seem similar, totalitarian states and dictatorships are not the same. Totalitarianism is having one-party in control of the state and controls the public and private lives of the society.
John McNeil- a history professor at Georgetown University- provides a checklist of historical indicators of fascism, and the candidacy of Donald Trump’s relation to them. President-Elect Donald Trump, who has embraced what some have termed the “alt-right”, has been called a fascist by many of his harshest critics. Though there is credence to a number of these claims, McNeil makes it clear that it is not yet just to compare Trump to the likes of the brutish European-Fascist regimes that gained strength between the World Wars. The actual structure of this article is to grade Donald Trump on how alike he is to Benito Mussolini in regards to various tenants of Fascism. Though this article is written through the lens of clear non-supporter of the controversial politician, the final conclusion given is that Donald Trump can’t be definitively described as a Fascist, and only touches the surface of fascist tendencies.
Q6. Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Emperor Hirohito all shared similar beliefs, ideas, and goals that they had wanted to achieve. For example, they all shared the strong belief of nationalism, supporting their countries, states, and leaders wholeheartedly. Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito shared the similar idea and want for world domination, they all wanted to achieve greatness and show the world how powerful they truly were. All three of these men saw that they all had shared similar beliefs, ideas, and goals in common; henceforth, the created what would become know as the Axis Powers, where they would support and thrive together.
Everybody has heard of the fascist dictators who have gained power throughout history; millions of children have learned about the bloody eras of Stalin, Hitler, and Mussolini, but do most people really know how they gained and kept their power? While many of these dictators came from different places and had different goals, their strategies to control their countries had many similarities. Through propaganda, secret police, and complete government power, these deadly men gained and maintained power of an entire country, while not needing to worry about the citizens at all. The primary way that many dictators guaranteed support in their rising and ruling was through propaganda.
In 1919, Benito Mussolini described fascism as “A movement that would strike against the backwardness of the right and the destructiveness of the left.” That “Fascism sitting on the right, could also have sat on the mountain of the center… These words in any case do not have a fixed and unchanged: they do have a variable subject to location, time and spirit. We don’t give a damn about these empty terminologies and we despise those who are terrorized by these words.” Fascism came into prominence in the early 20th-century Europe. It originated in Italy during World War I.
In his article Mussolini outlines the idea of Fascism during his authoritarian rule (235). The idea of Fascism is deeply rooted in the State, opposed to other political organizations, and is opposed to the idea of individualism. The Fascist organization is dependent on the importance of the State. Nothing else can exist without being a part of the success of the State (236).
The major aspects affecting women under Mussolini’s reign in fascist Italy was the massive push for pro-natalist movements mainly under the guise of better healthcare, welfare benefits, and public awards given to women who exceeded the “quota” of five children per family. Mussolini needed a higher population to be able to institute a cheaper labor force and imperialist expansions. Mussolini’s major push for pregnancies was because he wanted to increase the Italian population by twenty million so that they would have enough workers to man the factories and also enough to man the frontlines in the military. To oversee the propagation of the Italians Mussolini instituted the L’Opera Nazionale per la Maternitá ed Infanzia, or ONMI: The National
376) This description of Fascism indicates a government that is involved in the lives of its citizens to an extreme degree. By illustrating the government as a “powerful form of personality”, Mussolini alludes to the Fascist characteristic of organicism, where the state is seen as an organic whole being. Mussolini continues his
History is comprised of so many figures and personalities who have made their mark – positively and negatively. Some people have made such a profound impact that their names become immemorial. Such is the case Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator during the Second World War. His domestic and foreign policies at a time of war and turmoil that followed made him a name worthy of history books, even if these paint him in the negative light. His fascist focus and how he utilized this to manipulate Italians and the world, conveying the message that Italy no longer relies on class warfare and everyone is on an equal footing was appalling and amazing at the same time.
Mussolini had been part of the Italian Socialist Party, however, he was soon kicked out of the party due to differing views. The socialist party advocated for neutrality in World War 1, while Mussolini supported Italy taking part in the war. In 1914, he had formed his own fascist party, called the Fascists, however, the party was small, and not very popular. After returning from military service, Mussolini reformed his party from the Fascists to the Italian Combat Squad. This party proved to be more popular, and they gained over 200 members.
