Fascism is a contentious subject that has attracted much scholarly debate. Many scholars contend that a regime that embraces fascism is despotic.
Nonetheless, some despotic regimes never practice fascism. Fascism has generally been understood as an ideology or a system of ideologies. “Fascism can be defined as a system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through terror and censorship, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism”.
The 1880s are believed to have marked the onset of fascism. This was characterized by the fin de siècle theme which prevailed in this period. The fin de siècle theme was used to criticize materialism and rationalism. Moreover, they were against capitalist societies and positivism. Thus, they criticized the idea of liberal democracy.
A significant aspect during the formulation of fascism was the merging of nationalism with the political right, while on the left there was sorelian syndicalism. As opposed to most of the leftist ideologies, sorelian syndicalism adopted an enlist perspective that working class morality was supposed to be elevated.
The political left faced a division due to the merging of syndicalism with militaristic influences which occurred from 1907. This political division became entrenched in Italy where there was much influence between the nationalist and syndic lists. “Italian national syndic lists held a common set of principles: the rejection of bourgeois values, democracy, liberalism, Marxism, internationalism, and pacifism, and the promotion of heroism, vitalism, and violence”.
Emergence of Hitler
Adolf Hitler rose from a humble background and he emerged to be an influential leader in Europe during his reign. His rise formally began in late1919 in Germany, when he obtained membership of Nazi Party. The Nazi Party emerged and progressed after World War One.
This party strongly criticized both the Marxist ideologies and the Weimar Republic that was based on democracy. In addition, the Versailles treaty was also opposed by the proponents of the Nazi Party. Consequently, this party embraced extreme nationalism. Hitler’s position was elevated in the Nazi Party during its initial formulation. He acted as the best spokes person of the party.
The Nazis continuously gained prominence in the 1920s until the first period of the 1930s. When the Nazis finally assumed power, they developed a myth about their rise to authority. At the end of 1922, Hitler formed Jug end bund and Hitler Youth organizations, which later became prominent.
A significant opportunity arose for Hitler when he organized a coup in early November 1923. The coup d’état flopped and he was finally tried for having engaged in treason. This coup attempt gave Hitler a national recognition. While in prison, he managed to consolidate his plans for political authority.
The Nazi also used the Barmat Scandal as one of their strategies for elections. In 1929, a referendum was conducted in Germany. Fortunately, it was supported and recognized by members of the Nazi Party. The great depression which prevailed in 1929 primarily contributed to Hitler’s victory in the subsequent elections.
In Germany, the Nazi Party still remained the most popular even after it had lost thirty four posts during the 1932 elections. “On 30th January 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of a coalition government of the NSDAP-DNVP Party”. The opponents of Nazism were unable to come together and rebel against it. This enabled Hitler to quickly consolidate extreme authority.
References
Churchill, W. (1991). Memoirs of the Second World War. London: Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ingersoll, D. (2009). The Philosophic Roots of Modern Ideology: Liberalism, Conservatism, Marxism, Fascism, Nazism, Islamism. New York: Sloan Publisher.
Keegan, J. (2005). The Second World War. New York: Penguin.
McElvaine, R. (1993). The Great Depression: America 1929-1941. New York: Times Books.
Pearce, R. (1997). Fascism and Nazism. New York: Hodder Educational.
Shirer, W. (1990). The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany. London: Simon & Schuster.