HIST102 - FASCISM

Who developed the political ideology of fascism and where?

Benito Mussolini developed fascism in Italy after World War I.

Which leader imitated and intensified fascism after Mussolini?

Adolf Hitler in Germany.

What type of political system is fascism?

An authoritarian ideology that rejects democracy and pluralism.

What key feature of fascism reinforces existing power structures?

The reinforcement of social hierarchies.

What does fascism emphasize as a continuous national process?

Nationalistic rebirth or renewal.

What role does the leader play in fascist ideology?

The leader is seen with quasi-religious reverence, trusted to reveal the path forward.

How is fascism distinct from other authoritarian regimes?

Through its focus on mythic national rebirth, rigid hierarchies, and a cult of personality around the leader.

What did WWI leave behind that was important for the rise of fascism?

Huge physical and psychological scars.

What major empires collapsed after WWI?

The Austrian and Ottoman empires.

What global power emerged after WWI with a new interest in Europe?

The USA.

Which country experienced a revolution that spread socialist ideology?

Russia.

Which ideologies were gaining strength by 1919?

Nationalism and socialism.

What condition did much of Europe find itself in after WWI?

Economic disarray and political fragility.

What major ideological alternative did the Bolshevik revolution present?

An alternative to liberal democracy and capitalism.

How did fascism position itself ideologically?

As an alternative to both liberalism/capitalism and socialism/communism.

Why did fascism gain traction in Italy after WWI?

A power vacuum, political instability, and fear of Bolshevism.

What are the four key features of fascist ideology?

Anti-liberal and anti-communist, promised national rebirth, placed society above the individual, and emphasized faith in the leader.

What shift did Mussolini make from his early political ideas?

From socialism to nationalism, supporting war as unifying.

What was Italy's national mood in 1919?

Resentment, betrayal, and economic hardship despite being on the winning side.

Who were the first fascists?

Unemployed ex-soldiers and adventurers forming violent protest squads.

What does the word 'fascism' symbolically derive from?

Fascio (bundle) and fasces (bound sticks with axe) – strength through unity.

How did fascism view the individual versus the collective?

It placed the nation above the individual, valuing discipline and hierarchy.

What role did leaders like Mussolini play in fascism?

Central, unifying figures with a cult-like following.

How did fascist politics use spectacle?

Through mass rallies, speeches, and symbolic acts to create unity and dominance.

What helped Italian fascism gain power?

Fear of socialism and economic instability.

What was the March on Rome?

A 1922 rally of fascist blackshirts that pressured the king to appoint Mussolini.

What did fascist regimes aim to create?

Totalitarian states controlling all aspects of life, including private life.

How were women treated under fascist regimes?

Pushed back into traditional roles, incentivized to have large families.

How did fascists treat homosexuality?

It wasn't illegal but was persecuted for contradicting procreation-focused policies.

How did fascism contribute to WWII?

By rejecting liberalism and communism, it led Europe back into authoritarianism and war.