FASCISM IN ITALY

Fascism in Italy emerged as a political movement led by Benito Mussolini in the early 20th
century. The term "fascism" is derived from the Latin word "fasces," which refers to a bundle of
rods with an axe, symbolizing authority. The fasces is an Italian symbol that had its origin in the
Etruscan civilization and was passed on to ancient Rome, where it symbolized a Roman King's
power to punish his subjects. Mussolini, a former socialist, founded the National Fascist Party in
1921 and rose to power in 1922 after the "March on Rome." The phrase "March on Rome" refers
to a pivotal event in the rise of Benito Mussolini and the Fascist Party to power in Italy. It took
place in October 1922 and played a crucial role in establishing Mussolini as the leader of Italy.

In the aftermath of World War I, Italy faced economic challenges, social unrest, and
political instability. The existing political order was struggling to address these issues, and the
population was disillusioned with the perceived failure of the liberal democratic system. In this
context, various political movements gained traction, and the Fascist Party, led by Mussolini,
emerged as a significant force. By 1922, the Fascists had become a potent political entity,
employing paramilitary tactics (A paramilitary is an organization whose structure, tactics, training,
subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but which is not part
of a country's official or legitimate armed forces) and promoting a strong anti-communist and
nationalist agenda. Mussolini, sensing an opportunity to seize power, planned a march on the
capital, Rome, to demand a change in government and the appointment of Fascist leaders to key
positions.

On October 28, 1922, tens of thousands of Fascist blackshirt paramilitary supporters, led
by Mussolini, marched towards Rome from various parts of Italy. The march was designed to
create an atmosphere of intimidation and coercion, putting pressure on the existing government
and King Victor Emmanuel III to appoint Mussolini as Prime Minister. Faced with the prospect of
escalating political turmoil and potential violence, King Victor Emmanuel III, instead of resisting
the Fascist march, decided to avoid further instability and offered Mussolini the position of Prime
Minister. On October 29, 1922, Mussolini accepted the appointment and formed a government,
marking the beginning of Fascist rule in Italy.

The "March on Rome" was a turning point that solidified Mussolini's political ascendancy
and set the stage for the establishment of a fascist dictatorship. It demonstrated the effectiveness
of paramilitary tactics and the ability of the Fascists to manipulate the political situation to their
advantage. This event is often considered a prelude to the broader authoritarian and totalitarian
trends that characterized European politics in the interwar period.

a. Political Ideology: Fascism was characterized by authoritarianism, extreme

nationalism, and anti-communism. It rejected liberal democracy and embraced a
totalitarian form of government where the state had absolute power. Mussolini's fascist
ideology emphasized the supremacy of the state, the leadership cult, and the need for a
strong, charismatic leader.
 b. Corporate State: Mussolini implemented a corporatist economic system in
which industries and trade unions were organized into groups controlled by the state. This
system aimed to suppress class conflicts and promote national unity.

c. Expansionist Policies: Mussolini pursued an expansionist foreign policy, seeking to

establish a new Roman Empire. The invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 and the intervention in
the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) were examples of Italy's imperialistic ambitions.

d. Racial Laws: In the late 1930s, Mussolini introduced racial laws inspired by Nazi
Germany. These laws discriminated against Jews, restricting their civil liberties and
professional opportunities.

e. Acceptance to Violence: In fascist states, violence is accepted—even

celebrated—if it serves or advances the national community. For fascists, violence often
has a redemptive or purifying quality. Fascism rejects the practices of representative or
liberal democratic government. It holds that these practices interfere with the expression
of the national will. Instead, fascist governments are one-party states led by an authoritarian
leader who claims to embody the national will. Fascists define the national will as
advancing the interests of the national community. This usually means:

i. Protecting or elevating the rights of the national community above the rights
of those seen as alien/unfamiliar.

ii. Removing obstacles to national unity and suppressing those seen as

challenging it expanding the size and influence of the national state.

iii. Often, also seeking to expand territory through armed conflict

NAZISM IN GERMANY

Nazism, or National Socialism, was the ideology and policies associated with Adolf Hitler
and the Nazi Party in Germany. The Nazis rose to power in the early 1930s and played a central
role in the lead-up to World War II.

a. Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party: The Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, gained
popularity in Germany during the economic hardships of the Great Depression. Hitler
became Chancellor in 1933 and later consolidated power, establishing a totalitarian regime.

b. Aryan Supremacy and Anti-Semitism: Central to Nazi ideology was the

belief in Aryan racial superiority. The Nazis promoted anti-Semitism, blaming Jews for
Germany's problems. This culminated in the implementation of discriminatory laws and,
eventually, the genocide known as the Holocaust.

c. Totalitarian State: The Nazis created a totalitarian state, suppressing

opposition, controlling media, and establishing the Gestapo to monitor and eliminate
dissent. Hitler's leadership was characterized by a strong cult of personality.
 d. Autarky and Rearmament: Hitler pursued policies of autarky, aiming for
economic self-sufficiency. He also aggressively re-armed Germany, in violation of the
Treaty of Versailles, preparing for territorial expansion.

e. Anschluss and Expansionism:The annexation of Austria (Anschluss) in 1938 and

the Munich Agreement later that year were steps toward Hitler's goal of territorial
expansion. The invasion of Poland in 1939 marked the beginning of World War II.

f. Final Solution: The Nazis implemented the "Final Solution," a plan to

systematically exterminate six million Jews during the Holocaust. This genocide, along
with the persecution of other groups, is one of the darkest chapters in human history.

Both Italian Fascism and German Nazism shared characteristics such as authoritarianism,
nationalism, militarism, and a rejection of liberal democracy. While they differed in certain
ideological aspects, these movements significantly contributed to the geopolitical tensions and
conflicts that ultimately led to World War II.