Fascism

Fascism encompasses anti-democratic, anti-communist, anti-parliamentary, nationalistic political movements

• Use propaganda, rallies, intimidation, beatings, paramilitary groups to gain power and popular support

• Cult of personality around charismatic leader

• Promise better times, national glory

• Blame outsider groups for problems

• Encourage traditional roles for women, family led by father

• Nazism (National Socialism): German variant of fascism; violently anti-Semitic and racist; blamed Jews, liberals for WWI loss

Italy: Fascist Benito Mussolini takes control

• 1922: Mussolini takes power after fascist march on Rome

• 1929: Vatican and Italy make peace in Lateran Accord

• 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia; France, Britain do not act

Germany:Adolf Hitler leads Nazi Party into power

• 1919:Weimar Republic is liberal but weak

• 1925: Hitler’s Mein Kampf (My Struggle) outlines Nazi plans

• 1933: Hitler becomes chancellor

• S.S. (protective force) police surveillance expands

• 1935:Nuremberg Laws revoke Jewish citizenship

• 1938:Kristallnacht: Nazis destroy Jewish stores, synagogues

Spain:Fascist Francisco Franco conquers Spain

• 1936–1939:Spanish Civil War between fascists and republicans (supported by Communists); USSR aids republicans; Germany and Italy aid fascists; Britain, France remain neutral

France and Britain hope appeasement will avoid another war despite fascist aggression; believe Hitler’s goals to be limited