Ezra Pound

Fascism

Fascism is an extreme form of authoritarian government. An authoritarian government allows a few people to run a country. The rest of the population takes little part in decision making. Fascism involves total government control of political, economic, cultural, religious, and social activities.

Fascism resembles Communism. Communism, however, calls for the government to own all industry. Fascism allows industry to remain in private ownership, though under government control. Other important features of fascism include extreme nationalism—not just loving one's own country, but believing other countries to be inferior. This belief often causes fascist governments to persecute minority groups within their country. Fascist governments often pursue aggressive policies toward other nations.

Fascism has varied from country to country. This article discusses fascism mainly as it existed in Italy under Benito Mussolini from 1922 to 1943 and in Germany under Adolf Hitler from 1933 to 1945.

Life under fascism

Political life

In most cases, fascists rise to power after a nation has suffered an economic collapse, a military defeat, or some other disaster. The fascists win mass support by promising to revive the economy and to restore national pride. They may also appeal to a fear of Communism or a hatred of minorities. In time, the fascists may gain control of the government—through peaceful elections or by force.

After the fascist party takes power, its members replace the officials who run the government. In most cases, one individual—usually a dictator with great popular appeal—becomes the leader of the government. Fascists permit no other political party and no opposition to their policies.

The fascist desire for national glory leads to an increase in military spirit and a build-up of the armed forces. The military build-up can be used to put down opposition from within the fascist nation. It also allows a fascist government to seize land from, or gain influence over, foreign nations.

Economic life

A fascist government permits and even encourages private enterprise—as long as such activity serves the government's goals. However, the government maintains strict control of industry to make sure it produces what the nation needs. The government discourages or bans imports of certain essential products. It does not want to depend on other countries for such vital products as oil and steel.

The government also forbids strikes so that production will not be interrupted. Fascism outlaws labor unions and replaces them with a network of organizations in the major industries. These organizations, which consist of both workers and employers, are called corporations. But they differ from the organizations called corporations in other countries. Through the fascist corporations, the government determines wages, hours, and production goals. A fascist country is sometimes called a corporative state.

Personal liberty 

Personal freedom is severely limited under a fascist government. For example, the government limits travel to other countries and restricts any contact with people from those countries. The government also controls information. Newspapers, radio, and other means of communication are used for state propaganda. Propaganda is one-sided communication designed to influence people's thinking and actions. Fascist governments use strict censorship (control of information) to silence opposing views. A secret police force crushes any resistance. Opposition may lead to imprisonment, torture, and death.

Fascists consider other peoples inferior to their own nationality group. As a result, a fascist government may persecute or even kill Roma (sometimes called Gypsies), Jews, or members of other minority groups.

History

The word fascism comes from ancient Roman symbols of authority called fasces (see Fasces ). Many historians trace the beginning of modern fascism to Napoleon I, who ruled France as a dictator during the early 1800's. Napoleon was not a true fascist, but fascists later adopted many of his methods. Napoleon promised his people that he would restore the glory of France through military conquest. To prevent opposition, he established one of the first secret police systems. Napoleon also controlled the French press and used propaganda and strict censorship to win support of his programs.

Fascism in Italy

Italy was on the winning side of World War I (1914-1918 ), but the war left the nation's economy in poor condition. In addition, the peace treaties gave Italy far less territory than it had expected. Benito Mussolini's Fascist Party promised to give Italians prosperity. Mussolini vowed to restore Italy to the glory it had enjoyed during the days of the Roman Empire. The party gained the support of many landowners, business and military leaders, and members of the middle class. By 1922, the Fascists had become powerful enough to force the king of Italy to make Mussolini prime minister. Mussolini, who became known as Il Duce (The Leader), began to create a dictatorship. He abolished all political parties in Italy except the Fascist Party and seized control of industries, newspapers, police, and schools.

In 1940, under Mussolini's leadership, Italy entered World War II (1939-1945) on the side of Nazi Germany. The Fascist government was overthrown in 1943, when Italy surrendered to the Allies.

Fascism in Germany

Germany was defeated in World War I and lost much of its territory under the peace treaties. The treaties also forced Germany to disarm (give up its weapons of war) and to pay heavy penalties for war damages. The German economy was damaged by severe inflation (a continual increase in prices throughout the economy) in the 1920's. This inflation, followed by a worldwide depression (deep, extended slump in total business activity) in the early 1930's, ruined the German economy.

A fascist party called the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or Nazi Party, gained strength rapidly during Germany's economic crisis. By 1933, the Nazis were the strongest party in Germany. Their leader, Adolf Hitler, became the head of the government. Hitler soon overthrew the constitution and began to transform himself into a dictator and make Germany a fascist state. His secret police wiped out opposition.

Hitler, who was called der Führer (the leader), preached that Germans were superior people and that Jews, Slavs, Roma, and other minorities were inferior. His followers used these beliefs to justify the brutal Nazi persecution of Jews and other groups. The Nazis eventually killed about 6 million Jews. Hitler vowed to extend Germany's borders and to avenge the nation's humiliation in World War I. He built up the armed forces and prepared for war. In 1939, World War II began when German armies invaded Poland. The Allies defeated Germany in 1945, and the Nazi government crumbled.

Fascism in other countries

 In Hungary, a fascist party called the Arrow Cross gained much support in the late 1930's. During the same period, a fascist organization called the Iron Guard became the strongest political party in Romania. In addition, fascist groups gained considerable strength in Japan in the 1930's. All these fascist movements disappeared after the Nazi defeat in 1945.

Today, the rulers of many developing nations are following fascist policies in an effort to promote industrial growth and national unity. But because of the association of fascism with racism—and with Mussolini and Hitler—these leaders deny any similarity to fascist dictators.