Module 4 - Fascism

Ch 20 Summary

Fascism was rapidly growing as the new political ideology between 1919 and 1945. This political style highly nationalistic and something that truly stood out to me was that this praised violence against the enemy. Additionally, fascists did not support individualism, liberalism, feminism , parliamentary democracy, and communism. Many people during this time period had lost faith in the capacity or liberal democracy and capitalism to protect them, therefore they changed their faith to believing in fascism. Many fascist governments took root in Austria, Hungary, and Romania. The countries were fascism achieved prolonged power were in Italy and and Germany - however this style of leadership would prove to have terrible consequences for Europe and the rest of the world.

Fascist government first took root in the newly formed unified state of Italy. Benito Mussolini was the face of this movement and came to power in 1922. The people of Italy who were fearful of communism backed Mussolini because he promised to finally bring order to the streets. Mussolini's regime disbanded independent labor unions and all opposing political parties. He strived to reach the give Italian society a new global mission.

Another fascist power that rose during this time period was the Nazi Party of Germany led by Adolf Hitler. With a struggling economy during the time after the first world war, many people turned to ideas of fascism because the country needed leadership during this time. Just like in Italy, Hitler quickly rose to power, outlawing all other political parties. Upon coming to power ruler implemented ideas of anti-semitism. Overtime, Hitler increasingly gained more and more power and the destructive Nazi Germany rose to full force.

Lastly, Japanese Authoritarianism paralleled that of both Italy and Germany. In the 1930's there was a great growth in nationalist thinking.. This was because Japan was struggling with an economic depression. Just like Italy and Germany, Japan developed a prominent imperial agenda which eventually collided with countries such as the US and Britain and would eventually lead to the beginning of a second world war.

Self Guided Research 

Overall, what I learned with my self guided research was very similar to the ideas portrayed in Strayers text. One definition if Fascism that truly stood out to me was that it is a form of political practice distinct to the 20th century that arouses popular enthusiasm by sophisticated propaganda techniques for an anti-liberal, anti socialist, violently exclusionary, expansionist nationalist agenda.
Fascism has many core elements such as the primacy of the group and extreme support of the natural leader. These ideas are extremely different from many other forms of government that were around during this time. Ultimately the economic goal of fascism is to achieve national self sufficiency, not relying on other countries.

I personally think that fascism is on the rise in the world today. Many of the actions of our current president Donald Trump, mirror some of the actions of the leaders of these fascist regimes in the 20th century. He does put economic ideals over the issues of race and poverty which I think is similar to some fascist tendencies. Additionally, he does not take accountability for many issues that occur because he is trying to protect his reputation, which is also similar to what the leaders of these 20th century fascist governments have done. Overall, many people can have different views on this topic, but I can see some fascist tendencies on the rise in the world today.