- "Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement, characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation and race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy."
The emergence of far-right political movements in Europe, characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and often, racism.
Treaty of Versailles: An agreement signed at the end of World War I that led to Germany's economic collapse and political instability, creating a breeding ground for fascism.
Economic hardships: Hyperinflation, unemployment, and poverty that affected many countries during the interwar period, thus leading to the rise of fascist leaders who promised to fix the economy.
Rise of extremist political parties: Political parties such as the Nazi Party in Germany and the Fascist Party in Italy that rose to power due to their extreme nationalist and authoritarian views.
Propaganda and mass media: The use of propaganda and mass media by fascist leaders to persuade and manipulate the masses and gain their support.
Totalitarian regimes: Totalitarian regimes were established in countries like Italy and Germany, where the state had complete control over every aspect of life, including the economy, culture, and individual freedoms.
Militarism: Fascist states emphasized military strength and used it as a tool of aggression and expansionism.
Anti-Semitism: Anti-Semitism was a prominent feature of fascist ideology in Germany and other countries, leading to the persecution and genocide of Jews.
Nationalism: Nationalism played a significant role in the rise of fascism, promoting an extreme form of patriotic loyalty to the state.
Fascist leaders: Leaders such as Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini established themselves as dictators, using their charisma and propaganda to gain support and control.
Spanish Civil War: The Spanish Civil War was a precursor to World War II, with fascist-supported General Franco overthrowing the democratically elected government.
Appeasement policy: The policy of appeasement by Western powers towards fascist aggression in Europe, which ultimately led to World War II.
Fascist movements in other countries: Fascist movements arose in other countries such as Poland, Hungary, and Romania, with differing degrees of influence and success.
Resistance movements: Opposition to fascist regimes and movements, including resistance movements and partisan groups that fought against oppression and persecution.
Impact on society: The impact of fascism on society, including the suppression of individual freedoms, censorship, and the promotion of conformist values.
Decline of fascism: Reasons for the decline of fascism, including military defeats, internal opposition, and changing global dynamics.
Italian Fascism: The first Fascist regime emerged in Italy under Benito Mussolini, who propagated extreme nationalism, corporatism, and authoritarianism.
German National Socialism: The Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler in Germany combined Fascism with an extreme form of racial nationalism and anti-Semitism.
Falangism: Fransisco Franco's regime in Spain followed the Falangist ideology that blended elements of Fascism, nationalism, and conservative Catholicism.
Legionarism: The Iron Guard in Romania followed the Legionary Movement, which featured a mystical vision of Fascism mixed with religious mysticism.
Integralism: A political ideology that emerged in Brazil in the 1930s advocated for an authoritarian Catholic state that rejected modernity, liberalism, and individualism.
Nationalism: Some supporters of Fascism believed in the extreme promotion of national interests, to the extent of being hostile towards other nations.
Corporatism: Fascism encouraged the merging of different sectors of society into a common corporate body led by the state.
Militarism: The glorification of the military and the use of armed forces as an instrument of policy was a core element in many Fascist regimes.
Anti-Communism: Fascism was seen as a counter to Communist and Socialist movements, and the regimes often centered their propaganda against this political worldview.
Anti-Liberalism: Fascists believed that Liberalism was responsible for a variety of social issues and believed that traditional values should be placed above individual freedom.
Anti-Intellectualism: Fascist governments often suppressed intellectual thought and supported policies that glorified populist ideals.
Eugenics: Fascist regimes encouraged propaganda that supported eugenic breeding practices to eliminate weakness, illness, and disability.
- "Fascism rose to prominence in early 20th-century Europe."
- "The first fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I, before spreading to other European countries, most notably Germany."
- "Opposed to anarchism, democracy, pluralism, liberalism, socialism, and Marxism, fascism is placed on the far-right wing within the traditional left–right spectrum."
- "Fascists saw World War I as a revolution that brought massive changes to the nature of war, society, the state, and technology."
- "The advent of total war and the mass mobilization of society erased the distinction between civilians and combatants."
- "The war resulted in the rise of a powerful state capable of mobilizing millions of people to serve on the front lines and providing logistics to support them, as well as having unprecedented authority to intervene in the lives of citizens."
- "Fascism rejects assertions that violence is inherently bad and views imperialism, political violence, and war as means to national rejuvenation."
- "Fascists often advocate for the establishment of a totalitarian one-party state."
- "The principal goal of achieving autarky (national economic self-sufficiency) through protectionist and economic interventionist policies."
- "Fascism's extreme authoritarianism and nationalism often manifests as belief in racial purity or a master race, usually blended with some variant of racism or discrimination against a demonized 'Other,' such as Jews."
- "These ideas have motivated fascist regimes to commit genocides, massacres, forced sterilizations, mass killings, and forced deportations."
- "Since the end of World War II in 1945, few parties have openly described themselves as fascist; the term is more often used pejoratively by political opponents."
- "The descriptions of neo-fascist or post-fascist are sometimes employed to describe contemporary parties with ideologies similar to, or rooted in, 20th-century fascist movements."
- "Some opposition groups have adopted the label anti-fascist or antifa to signify their stance." (Additional quotes can be provided upon request)