HIST-1103, W11: Fascism, Nazi Germany & the Road to War in EU

July 16th class.

RR: J.A. Mangan, “Global Fascism and the Male Body: Ambitions, Similarities, and Dissimilarities”

What are the common characteristics of fascism around the globe as described by Mangan? What is unique about German Nazism?

• Idea of the “global Fascist Superman” - sports being a gateway into this

  • Develops muscle, which symbolizes strength and power (literally & metaphorically)

• Post treaty of Versailles, movements emerged of nationalism encouraging countries to look at their history and their unique problems

• Fascism appealed as a blanket (rhetoric, symbolism, chants, ceremonies and uniform attracts young [and, I’d argue, some old])

  • Ideology, ritual, symbolism, direct political action (sometimes people just want something to happen) - what it stood for is more important than what it stood against.

  • Interesting-”addictive components”  with an appeal to pathos, a wave of emotion and belonging (fulfilled individual and communal desires)

• Fascism in the 30s was a “new force”

German Fascism

• Racist, nature (vs Italian Futurism uses action)

• Belief implemented by military actions, propaganda (which aligned with the point above) and previous Fascist political appeal

Similarities

• Nationalism, anti-socialist/Marxist

• Appealing to middle-class, peasantry, unstable sectors

• Charismatic leader

• Glorified militarism + hatred and action towards outsiders

Therefore: male body personified as the state power

• Security, safety, invulnerability (political, social, and sexual)

“Fascism of all shades, as George Mosse remarks, fed on dissatisfaction with the modern world. It attempted to create a 'new sense of belonging' and a 'new meaning in life', and new systems of power.” (p. 7) - New start (palingenesis, regeneration after a period of decline)

• Soldiers “projected” their own issues into a collective one presented by the society (you feel unhappy? No, the State is unhappy about the Jewish population, so you must hate them too!)

RR: “Hitler’s Idea of Living Space”
Why was Lebensraum (living space) so important to Adolf Hitler?

• If one’s goal is to grow the population (physically) everything needs to scale: includes the economy, industrialization, output, etc. Tension is unmanageable when conditions become “unbearable,” so fix it via “adapting the soil” aka colonizing. Bloodshed easily justified by dehumanization and race eugenics.

• “The sword was the path-breaker for the plough…”

• Almost like fate, with the “something quite in keeping with nature” shtick. 

• Hitler claims that other countries with land have equal claim to that land as him, one that “safeguards their sustenance?”

RR: Rammstein, “Stripped” video
What elements of fascist aesthetics, symbols, and messages do Rammstein appear to be employing via this video? Do you find this problematic or is it just harmless entertainment?

• Already, comments are turned off for the video…

• Like italy, big columns, architecture

• Naked statues

• Strength of man with the discus transforms into white male athleticism connected to hard rock music (strength, power, vitality)

• Hmm lyrics are interesting

• “Let me feel strength” (1:30) with man running with flaming dagger

• Message of vitality, of strength, of unity and propaganda. “This is who you want and should be.” 

• Aesthetics - pretty people, ceremony (back to Rome!) With females being graceful and men powerful (distinct gender norms) - American flag and laurels, of winning (oh-Japan too)

• Olympics, back to sport! At least they show fencing haha. Rowing, swimming (diving) taking a plunge, no hesitation (like the Japanese)

HITLER’S LIFE/TIMES

What events, conditions, and ideas do you think influenced Adolf Hitler? What stands out to you?

Ian Kershaw - Hitler’s dictatorship “showed what we [humans] are capable of.” 

• Hitler was "extraordinary" and unique. Nobody before 1918. Context of Germany post-WW1 of political instability, hyperinflation, war guilt clause = national humiliation. Hitler felt it personally, but now more shared similar feelings. “Speak not to the people’s ability to understand, but speak to their hearts”

• Unfeeling and cruel father (customs agent), warm and caring mother. Played war games as a kid, parents both dead by 18, dreamed of being an artist and liked Westerns/LOVED opera (Richard Wagner, the composer with epic stories, betrayals, sacrifices (strong visual component). Wanted to become “the supreme artist” and “genius” leading the nation to glory. 

• Ran out of money in his 20s while in Vienna. Living in homeless shelters, “a nobody going nowhere.” Blamed society for his failures. 

• WW1. Gives employment, feelings of nationalism, belonging. Sees death/destruction, 70% of his regiment killed. Changes him. “Struggle, survival, victory” connects to social Darwinism. Profound experience, see artwork from WW1. Armistice, refuses to believe Germany lost, gets into politics, good at speeches.

Hitler/Mussolini similarities - list

• Front line WW1 soldiers

• Believed they were national leaders

• Wartime nationalism to political revolution

• Brutality of the warrior

• Hated: decadence, democracy, modern art, diversity, individualism, communism (like corporatism, no workers of the world - all as one in the nation, exclude those who are different). Use extreme nationalism/scapegoats, or race, religion, politics

• Glorified: national solidarity & combat

German ‘race’ had to struggle/compete (see WW1, food security/economic autarchy) - going to come from taking over Europe, Germany = ‘have-not’ state (natural resources, large pop)

What is “Nazism?”

• “One type of fascism. Reject democracy/liberalism, embrace the concept of a nationalist state.” 

• Embrace eugenics (racial science) - ex sterilizing those who had “undesirable traits” or “impure blood”

Interwar EU timeline. Liberalism/Capitalism failing, many adopt authoritarian/totalitarian gov.

• Weak Weimar Republic established 1919

• Mussolini takes power 1922

• French invasion of Ruhr distric 1923

• Beer hall putsch 1923

  • Failed attempt to take power - Hitler put in prison, time to write Mein Kamf + correspond with Madison Grant

• Locarno agreements 1925 - reduce animosity between Germany/Europe, better economy, reduce wartime reparations

• Kellogg-Briand pact 1928, don’t use war to resolve disputes

• Stock market crash 1929, 6M people unemployed; Nazi party elected 1933 (favoring authoritarianism). Rebuild economy, avenge national humiliation

• King Alexander of Yugoslavia assassinated 1934

• French Popular Front 1936

• Munich Agreement 1938 - pinnacle of appeasement - give Sudetenland to Hitler

• Spanish Civil war 1936-39 - Francisco Franco leads nationalist party in civil war against Spanish government. Rules until 1975 (wasn’t a communist) & still has fans

Nazi Appeal

From what you can see from their policies and actions, what do you think was the Nazi Party’s vision for German society?

Weimar Republic - liberal gov w/ big flaw (allowed presidential dictatorship in a time of need, rule by decree)

• 1920s, uprisings, riots, seen responsible for Versailles treaty, hyperinflation

Stressman years (1923-29) - chancellor/foreign minister. Helped reduce inflation, political and esp economical stability

Great Depression - radicals getting votes during times of stress, Hitler named chancellor 1933

• Support coming from lower classes, war veterans, farmers, young (hurt by Depression) - ⅓ of country voter base, came into power legally

• Reichstag (parliament) fire, Article 48 (suspend civil liberties, arrest communists, unlimited power [Enabling Act] and go after enemies)

• SS (schutzstaffel) commanded by Heinrich Himmler. Chief vehicle of policing, purges

• Ends depression by massive public works, crushes trade unions (corporatism) + 4-year plan to prepare for war

Women & Society in Nazi Germany

• Breed strong sons/daughters (pure race, Ubermensch) & sterlize those who are impure

  • Law for Prevention of Progeny w/ Hereditary Diseases 1933, Operation T-4 (secret ‘euthanizing’ of mentally/physically disabled)

Aesthetics, emotional appeal of Nazis/their vision. Can you think of some examples of things people find aesthetically beautiful and/or powerful?

• Visual/emotional appeal, tailored uniforms - striking, some produced by Hugo Boss.

  • Strong symbols - swastika, lighting bolts, eagles, skull/crossbones

• SENSE OF ONENESS - collective experience, pride in country, great vision (‘redemption’ and to avenge Versailles)

• Good timing w/ weak Weimar government, economic depression

• Defend tradition, “purify” society to restore “natural order” - family & nation

• Nuremberg rallies, light shows (like World Cup, sporting events, concerts)

  • Munich 1936 Olympics

• Beauty of nature - Autobahn (Porshe/Volkswagon help people go and experience greenery) - “it’s rural, it’s green, it’s scenic, and it’s racially pure.” 

• Embrace classical past w/ architecture - impressive boulevards, medieval stories, neoclassical buildings

• Strength - strong bodies, militarism, oneness