Summary Fascism | Definition, Meaning, Characteristics, Examples, & History | Britannica www.britannica.com
4,237 words - html page - View html page
One Line
Fascism is a political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, violence, scapegoating, and opposition to political and cultural liberalism, parliamentary democracy, and Marxism, often supported by military values, imperialism, corporatism, and conservative economic programs.
Key Points
- Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes the subordination of individual interests to the good of the nation and the creation of a hierarchical society.
- Fascist movements emerged in various countries between 1922 and 1945, including Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Norway, Finland, Poland, and Croatia.
- Neofascism gained traction across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Africa in the latter half of the 20th century.
- Fascist regimes often target democratic institutions, dismantle free speech, attack political opponents, and engage in heavy surveillance.
- Fascist movements tend to arise from economic woes and capitalize on popular anxieties by scapegoating certain groups, such as Jews, immigrants, and leftists.
Summaries
242 word summary
Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes the subordination of individual interests to the good of the nation and the creation of a hierarchical society. Fascist parties and movements emerged in multiple countries between 1922 and 1945, including Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Norway, Finland, Poland, and Croatia. Many neofascists emerged in the latter half of the 20th century with important differences from pre-World War II fascist movements. Common characteristics of fascist movements include war, military drills, and mass rallies. The most prominent 20th-century fascist regimes were those in Germany and Italy. German fascism took the form of Nazism, led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Italian fascism was founded by Benito Mussolini and achieved power in the mid-1920s. Fascist movements tend to arise from economic woes and scapegoat certain groups. Fascism is difficult to define but often involves extreme nationalism and the belief in a unified polity that prioritizes group welfare over individual needs. Fascism is a political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, violence, scapegoating, and opposition to political and cultural liberalism, parliamentary democracy, and Marxism. It is often supported by military values, imperialism, corporatism, and conservative economic programs. Varieties of fascism include sexism and misogyny, antiurbanism, decadence and spirituality, and education as character building. Neofascism emerged outside Europe in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, and Russia after the postwar period to the end of the 20th century. Collaborations between fascist and nonfascist conservatisms also occurred during this period.
579 word summary
Fascism is a political ideology characterized by extreme nationalism, scapegoating, violence, and opposition to political and cultural liberalism, parliamentary democracy, and Marxism. Fascist movements are often supported by military values, imperialism, corporatism, and conservative economic programs. Varieties of fascism include sexism and misogyny, antiurbanism, decadence and spirituality, and education as character building. Neofascism emerged outside Europe in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, and Russia after the postwar period to the end of the 20th century. Collaborations between fascist and nonfascist conservatisms also occurred during this period.
Fascism is difficult to define but often involves extreme nationalism and the belief in a unified polity that prioritizes group welfare over individual needs. Fascist movements tend to arise from economic woes and scapegoat certain groups. The symbol of the fasces was used in ancient Rome as a symbol of penal power and authority. Fascist regimes adopted this symbol to reinforce their authority.
The National Front in France gained popularity in the 2010s by playing on fears of French cultural dilution, while the anti-Islamic far-right Alternative for Germany became the second most popular party in Germany.
Fascist movements of the 20th century frequently lambasted liberalism for its alleged role in sowing political disunity and moral degeneracy. Although many fascist movements initially organized themselves around democratic institutions for political legitimacy, they resorted to totalitarianism in practice.
Italian fascism was founded by Benito Mussolini and achieved power in the mid-1920s. Mussolini targeted democratic institutions, dismantled free speech, attacked political opponents, and passed several anti-Semitic laws in 1938 that would pave the way for Italy and Germany's cooperation during World War II.
The most prominent 20th-century fascist regimes were those in Germany and Italy. German fascism took the form of Nazism, led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The Great Depression helped create the conditions that allowed Nazism to prosper. Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes the subordination of individual interests to the good of the nation and the creation of a hierarchical society. Fascist parties and movements emerged in multiple countries between 1922 and 1945, including Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Norway, Finland, Poland, and Croatia. Many neofascists emerged in the latter half of the 20th century with important differences from pre-World War II fascist movements. Fascism has been present in various countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. Fascism is a complex and multifaceted topic that has manifested in different ways in different countries throughout history. Common characteristics of fascist movements include war, military drills, and mass rallies. French fascists in the 1920s and 1930s saw Marxism as their primary enemy. Fascist movements tended to promise firmer action against Marxists than earlier rightist parties. There is no universally accepted definition of fascism, but general characteristics include a populist or elitist defense of capitalism, religious or secular roots, and opportunism. Fascism and communism share similarities as mass movements emerging in times of political turmoil and economic collapse, seeking to create totalitarian systems and employing terror and violence. However, fascist regimes supported economic elites and opposed bolshevization. Fascist groups in Japan, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany used violence against left-wing labor unions, peasant unions, and socialist parties. Finnish fascists emerged as members of anticommunist paramilitary groups. The Heimwehr in Austria was organized by members of the landed gentry and the middle class to counter strikes by workers. Fascist movements celebrated May Day but in Japan, celebrations were prohibited in 1938, and in 1939, Japan withdrew from all international labor organizations.
1269 word summary
This website provides information on fascism, including its definition, meaning, characteristics, examples, and history. It collects information through cookies and tracking tools for analytics, ad serving, interest-based advertising, and other purposes. Users can opt-out of the sale or sharing of their personal information. The website also lists external resources related to fascism. There is a feedback section for users to suggest improvements or corrections to the article. Fascism and communism share similarities as mass movements emerging in times of political turmoil and economic collapse, seeking to create totalitarian systems and employing terror and violence. However, fascist regimes supported economic elites and opposed bolshevization. Fascist groups in Japan, Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Germany used violence against left-wing labor unions, peasant unions, and socialist parties. Finnish fascists emerged as members of anticommunist paramilitary groups. The Heimwehr in Austria was organized by members of the landed gentry and the middle class to counter strikes by workers. Fascist movements celebrated May Day, but in Japan, celebrations were prohibited in 1938, and in 1939, Japan withdrew from all international labor organizations. French fascists in the 1920s and 1930s saw Marxism as their primary enemy, with leaders such as Doriot, La Rocque, and Taittinger warning against communism and advocating for a union of the French people against it. The Nazi SA clashed with German leftists before Hitler's rise to power, and fascist movements tended to promise firmer action against Marxists than earlier rightist parties. There is no universally accepted definition of fascism, but general characteristics include a populist or elitist defense of capitalism, religious or secular roots, and opportunism. Scholars of fascism bring different political and cultural attitudes to their studies, with some emphasizing anti-Semitism and others focusing on revolution or electoral victories. The regimes of Mussolini and Hitler differed in important respects. Fascism is a topic of considerable debate among historians and political scientists. Some view it as irrational, while others see it as serving the material interests of its supporters. Demonologies are seen as either expressions of misdirected anger or rational ways to perpetuate professional or class advantages. Fascism has been motivated by a desire for cultural regeneration and the creation of a new man, as well as a fear of communism and a backlash against Enlightenment ideals. Common characteristics of fascist movements include war, military drills, and mass rallies.
Fascism has been present in various countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Peru. In the US, organizations such as the German-American Bund and Social Justice displayed fascist characteristics and were banned or suppressed. The Black Legion, an offshoot of the Ku Klux Klan, also had fascist tendencies. In Brazil, the Integralist Action party was suppressed after a failed coup attempt. In China, patriotic societies were formed following the Mukden Incident and the wider invasion of Manchuria by Japanese troops in 1931. These societies included the Blue Shirts, which formed an alliance with the Kuomintang (National Peoples Party) under Chiang Kai-shek.
Overall, fascism is a complex and multifaceted topic that has manifested in different ways in different countries throughout history. Fascist movements emerged in Japan, Egypt, South Africa, the United States, and elsewhere. In France, the largest and fastest-growing party on the right was the French Social Party led by Colonel Francois de La Rocque. The Iron Guard in Romania was dissolved by the dictatorial regime of King Carol II, and remnants reemerged in 1940 but were finally crushed by Romanian conservatives in February 1941. The Nyilaskeresztes Party in Hungary was suppressed by the conservative regime of Ferenc Szlasi. Fascist parties and movements emerged in multiple countries between 1922 and 1945, including Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Norway, Finland, Poland, and Croatia. These groups shared characteristics such as extreme militarism, integral nationalism, and a rejection of liberalism and democracy. Some fascist parties attempted coups or gained power through elections, while others were banned or absorbed into military dictatorships. After World War II, many fascist-oriented parties and movements were founded in Europe, Latin America, and South Africa, but major European fascist parties were broken up. Fascism is a political ideology that emphasizes the subordination of individual interests to the good of the nation and the creation of a hierarchical society. The term "fascism" comes from the Latin word "fasces," which referred to a symbol of penal authority in ancient Rome. In the latter half of the 20th century, neofascism gained traction across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and South Africa. These movements were frequently xenophobic, ultranationalist, militaristic, and illiberal. However, important differences emerged from pre-World War II fascist movements. Many neofascists placed enormous importance on slowing or stemming immigration, particularly in dense urban areas. They also rebranded themselves as democratic to appeal to a world that had grown rapidly disillusioned with totalitarian regimes. Furthermore, some neofascists sought to align themselves with various economic systems depending on regional politics.
The most prominent 20th-century fascist regimes were those in Germany and Italy. German fascism took the form of Nazism, led by Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The Great Depression helped create the conditions that allowed Nazism to prosper. Inflation, soaring unemployment rates, and deep political divisions paralyzed the Weimar Republic, which rose out of the ashes of the post-World War I economic crisis.
Italian fascism was founded by Benito Mussolini and achieved power in the mid-1920s. Mussolini targeted democratic institutions, dismantled free speech, attacked political opponents, and engaged in heavy surveillance. His regime was virulently xenophobic and passed several anti-Semitic laws in 1938 that would pave the way for Italy and Germany's cooperation during World War II.
Fascist movements of the 20th century frequently lambasted liberalism for its alleged role in sowing political disunity and moral degeneracy. Although many fascist movements initially organized themselves around democratic institutions for political legitimacy, they resorted to totalitarianism in practice. A component of this process became the reorganization of society around a strict moral code that often sought to reverse the decadence of pre-fascist culture.
In France, the National Front gained popularity in the 2010s by playing on fears of French cultural dilution, particularly at the hands of Muslims. In Germany, the anti-Islamic far-right Alternative for Germany became the second most popular party. Fascism is an ideology that is difficult to define but often involves extreme nationalism and the belief in a unified polity that prioritizes group welfare over individual needs. Fascist movements tend to arise from economic woes and capitalize on popular anxieties by scapegoating certain groups, such as Jews, immigrants, and leftists. The symbol of the fasces, a bundle of wooden rods with an axe blade, was used in ancient Rome as a symbol of penal power and authority. Fascist regimes like Mussolini's Italy adopted this symbol to reinforce their authority and demand citizen unity. Nazism is considered the most insidious form of racial-purist fascist nationalism. Fascism is a political ideology that achieved prominence in countries such as Italy, Germany, France, and Austria. It is characterized by extreme nationalism, revolutionary image, populism, scapegoating, violence, and opposition to political and cultural liberalism, parliamentary democracy, and Marxism. Fascist movements are often supported by military values, imperialism, corporatism, and conservative economic programs. They also promote the leadership principle, mass mobilization, and the glorification of youth. The social bases of these movements include identification with Christianity, acceptance of racism, and alleged equality of social status. Varieties of fascism include sexism and misogyny, antiurbanism, decadence and spirituality, and education as character building. After the postwar period to the end of the 20th century, neofascism emerged outside Europe in countries such as Croatia, Serbia, and Russia. Collaboration and crossover between fascist and nonfascist conservatisms also occurred during this period.