Fascism originated in Italy after World War 1 under Benito Mussolini, emphasizing extreme nationalism and loyalty to the state over individual interests. It spread to Germany under Hitler and other countries between the wars, characterized by dictators and the banning of opposition parties. Factors in its rise included economic instability, dissatisfaction with peace treaties, fear of communism, and support from middle classes attracted by fascism's promises of national strength and order.

1. Fascism
National Socialism

2. Outline
• Introduction
• Fascist Principles
• Fascist Dictatorships
• Factors in the Rise of Fascism
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
• Fascism, political ideology and mass
movement that dominated many parts of
central, southern, and eastern Europe between
1919 and 1945.
• It had adherents in western Europe, the United
States, South Africa, Japan, Latin America, and
the Middle East.
• Europe’s first fascist leader, Benito Mussolini.

4. Introduction
• Benito Mussolini, took the name of his party
from the Latin word fasces which referred to a
bundle of rods (usually containing an ax) used
as a symbol of penal authority in ancient
Rome.
• Although fascist parties and movements
differed significantly from one another, they
had many characteristics in common.

5. Introduction
• Common characteristic of fascism include;
extreme militaristic nationalism,
contempt for electoral democracy and political
and cultural liberalism,
a belief in natural social hierarchy and the rule of
elites,
and the desire to create “people’s community”, in
which individual interests would be subordinated
to the good of the nation.

6. Introduction
• At the end of World War II, the major
European fascist parties were broken up, and
in some countries (such as Italy and West
Germany) they were officially banned.
• Beginning in the late 1940s, however, many
fascist-oriented parties and movements were
founded in Europe as well as in Latin America
and South Africa.

7. Introduction
• Although some European “neo-fascist” groups
attracted large followings, especially in Italy
and France, none were as influential as the
major fascist parties of the interwar period.
• Fascist parties and movements came to power
in several countries between 1922 and 1945.
• The National Fascist Party in Italy, led by
Mussolini;

8. Introduction
• The National Socialist German Workers’
Party , or Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler,
representing his National Socialism movement

9. Introduction
• Italian dictator Benito Mussolini coined the
term in 1919.
• Referring to the Roman symbol for “power
through unity” – a bundle of reeds called
“fasces,” individually weak but collectively
strong.
• Fascism ideology states that government has
complete control over all people and their
lives.

10. Introduction
• Initially emerged in Italy under Benito
Mussolini in 1919
• Supremacy of the nation and its leader above
all else
• Demands discipline and devotion from the
individual members of society
• Extremely militaristic
• Adopt aggressive policies toward other
countries

11. Introduction
• Opposition parties, trade unions banned.
• Elections abolished.
• Opposed to democracy, liberalism and
communism.
• Anti-Semitic (Nazis)
• Use of propaganda, intimidation and terror

12. Fascist Principles
• Anti-individualistic – no room for individual
liberty. All the individuals must bind to be
united.
• Anti-democratic – Democracy has no place in
fascism. There is no concept of election and
replacing the fascist dictator.
• Anti-egalitarian- welfare of the people is not
the priority. It is the welfare of the state which
is more important than any thing else.

13. Fascist Principles
• Anti-capitalist- Free market economy is
replaced by an economy dictated by the state.
• Anti-internationalist- Fascist state is an
aggressive sate towards its neighbors because
of discrimination it has faced. The sate will get
revenge from its enemies abroad.
• Anti-intellectual- There is little place for
intellectual gymnastic in fascist state. Criticism
and new ideas are not accepted.

14. Fascist Dictatorships
• Italy under Mussolini (1919-1943)
• Portugal under Salizar (1922-1968)
• Germany under Hitler (1933-1945)
• Spain under Franco (1938-1975)
• Argentina under Juan Peron (1946-1955)
• Chile under Pinochet (1973-1990)
• Iraq under Saddam Hussein (1970s -2003)
• South Africa apartheid regime (1945-1990).

15. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Economic factors:
• Major economic instability weakened
European political life
• Uncontrollable inflation wiped out savings and
created mass unemployment.
• The First World War was largely responsible
for most of the economic factors.
• People of Europe were in search of way out.

16. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Treaty of Versailles:
• Dissatisfaction with terms of WW1 peace
treaties contributed to the rise of fascism.
• Italy didn’t receive territory it was promised.
• Germany was subjected to harsh reparation
terms and lost territory.
• New states established with the break up of
empires caused friction over borders.

17. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Fear of Communism:
• The upper and middle classes feared the spread
of communism following the Russian
Revolution.
• Communist revolts in Germany, Austria and
Hungary in 1919 contributed to this fear.
• Fascism was seen as a better barrier to
communism than democracy.

18. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Weak democracies:
• Weak multi-party governments which were
coalition governments and frequently changed.
• Economic crisis due to which democratic
government were unable to address the
problems being faced by the masses.
• Political instability and uncertainty due to
frequent change of governments and policies
in Europe.

19. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Support of Middle Classes:
• Fascism was supported by the middle class, as
capitalism by the elites and socialism by the
poor class.
• The Middle Classes (mainly in rural areas) felt
trapped between unionised workers and the
wealthy elites.
• Fascism claimed to represent their interests by
creating favourable environment.

20. Conclusion
• It is concluded that fascism being an
aggressive nationalism emerged in a peculiar
environment of post World War First period.
• It mainly existed in Italy and its German
version is also known as Nazism.
• It existed in Europe between the two World
wars period and afterwards disappeared there
to be adopted by some Asian, African and
Latin American leaders.