unit 02: 1919 - 1933 · the finer points of facism . understanding fascism fascism was essentially...

UNIT 02: PROMISE AND COLLAPSE

1919 - 1933

TOTALITARIANISM

Totalitarianism, is not an ideology or system of belief. It is merely a method of political control. While it may look like an ideology all of its own, it is the technique or method that those in power use to enforce their particular ideology. For this reason, Communism and Fascism can appear to be very similar because both are run according to Totalitarian methods… even though their belief systems can be quite different.

TOTALITARIANISM

Dictatorships are not a 20th Century invention. There have been ones centuries before Christ. What makes modern ones so notable is their ability to completely control all aspects of life. This largely came through technology, especially in media. With the advent of radio and television, leaders could easily communicate with an entire population at once.

TOTALITARIANISM

Technology enabled espionage, and dictators could spy on their own people, and control them. Modern weaponry gave leaders incredible firepower, and allowed them to terrorize both local and foreign enemies.

PREVIOUSLY IN HISTORY....

PREVIOUSLY IN HISTORY….. While dictators of the past had complete control in theory, their ability to actually impose that will on the people was slowed and hindered by primitive communication methods. Louis XVI and Charles I had full power, but could not always control events (and died badly). Both beheaded by their own people.


Other dictators outlawed all dissenting groups, but while they were oppressed, they could not be fully silenced.

Even the Tsars before the Russian Revolution practiced torture and terror tactics on their own people, but they could not control all elements of personal life, as needed.


The difference between early dictators and more modern ones is a matter of level and degree.

The difference comes down to two elements:

- State use of modern technology - The willingness to be utterly ruthless in their pursuit of power and control


The use of things like slave labour camps, work camps, and concentration camps, show that willingness to go to all extremes. Totalitarians need to use these tools, not only to keep control, but to destroy the individual, making him only a faceless part of the machinery that is the state.


By using such inhumane methods, the dictator achieves two aims: He punishes any “threat” to his power, and sends a message of terror to anyone else foolish enough to challenge him. Fascist dictators, in particular, used the dual weapons of violence and authority to control every aspect of human life and society.


So pervasive was this level of control in totalitarian states, that only an individual’s thoughts were their own… and those could not be shared with anyone. Ie: East/West Berlin’s “Administration 12” and marriages…

UP NEXT... THE FINER POINTS OF FACISM

UNDERSTANDING FASCISM

Fascism was essentially a “turning back the clock” on some of the key advances during the Enlightenment period. One of those was the concept of human rights as an inalienable part of humanity. By the 20th Century, those were a key component of all democratic states in the world.

The Right to Freedom


While soon-to-be-Fascist democratic states of Italy and Germany were young and unstable, they had a constitution, and commitment to human rights

Basic freedoms, such as speech, assembly, personal property, and religion were taken for granted in democracies.


The new totalitarian states did not challenge these ideas… they utterly obliterated them. While Mussolini may have touted “law and order,” he essentially removed both of them. The rule of law became what he said it was, and order existed on the back of a terrible human cost.


The new dictators presented a “package” of ideals that seemed innocent enough at first glance, but contained some terrifying ideas: - Pragmatism over Morality

- Extreme Nationalism

- Obedience to the State

- Anti-Communism

- Imperialist wars of conquest.

Understanding Fascism - PRAGMATISM

A simple dictionary definition of pragmatism reads like this: "a straightforward practical way of thinking about things or dealing with problems, concerned with results rather than with theories and principles". Fascist regimes embraced these ideas, and with them the use (and glorification)of violence.


You did not just punish and teach dissenters, free thinkers, and challengers. You decimated them utterly.

And that didn’t mean just foreign foes, but your daily, average citizen, faced brutality daily.


Hitler's directive to churches were a good example. He told them to “talk about faith,” with the subtle threat that everything else was off limits. Labour and trade unions were quickly abolished, as pragmatic business control easily trumped any notion of worker’s rights.


Extreme pragmatism from history...

Understanding Fascism - NATIONALISM

We already know what “Nationalism” is. However, Fascism took this to entirely new levels of intensity (insanity). In Canada, we feel proud of our country and its accomplishments. Many of us would be willing to fight for our country, in times of threat.


However, we are not willing to blindly throw away our lives, without question or thought.... just because someone said to. Hitler and Mussolini demanded just that type of service and dedication. The state is all that matters. The individual is worthless, and must see himself as such. Self-sacrifice is a key aspect of Fascism.


In Germany, the racial element was added to the mix as well, increasing justification.

The Aryan myth is an example of Nationalism in its most extreme perversion.

Understanding Fascism – ANTI-COMMUNISM

Fascism and Communism have some similarities, but also key differences. Hitler hated Communism, and Stalin hated Socialism. However... Fascism was referred to as “National Socialism,”

and Communist Russian became the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics

....explain that.


Both Fascists and Communists keep tight control over all industry and business. In Fascism, the ability to own private property, run a business, and generate profit is kept... so long as the needs of the state are being met by the industry. Innovation is praised.


Hitler used the term “socialist” for a time, as he wanted to build support among a broad base. When to took power, to put all truly socialist ideas aside. The “Proletariat” was unimportant.

Communism holds that group as the key to everything, (though they also killed them if they caused any trouble). Marx would not be impressed.

Understanding Fascism – IMPERIALISM

Imperialism wasn’t a new concept for the Fascists in Italy or Germany. Britain, France, Spain, Holland, and many other nations were imperialist for a long time (and that rivalry is largely what started WW1).

However, Fascism took it to a whole new level (again).


The whole purpose for the state was imperial conquest. Violence was a required necessity and deeply wanted. (No peace treaties please).

Fascist belief was to be imposed in all conquered territories.


The Nazi’s policies of “Lebensraum” or (Living Space) combined both their imperial and racial aims. Inferior races had to be conquered, and their lands controlled by the superior Aryan races. The inferior ones had to be enslaved, or eliminated.

The Year has Ended. The Struggle Continues.


In Poland, anyone who could possibly be a leader against the Nazis was usually murdered.


Enslavement for the rest was simply divine order of things, like a predator food chain.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

War Disappointments Italy suffered 600,000 causalities in WW1. They had entered the war with the hope/goal of reclaiming all ethnically-Italian provinces in Northern Italy. The Allies hinted at that also. The Paris conference left 3-4 of them under foreign rule.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Italians blamed their democratic government for allowing that to happen.

Example 1: City of Fiume was mostly Italian. Awarded to Yugoslavia. The Italian government ordered the Italian Army to expel all Nationalist Italians from the city.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Example 2: Italy had conquered Albania in WW1. They were ordered to give it up and allow Albanian independence. The Italian government meekly did so.

Example 3: Several Turkish possessions were (partly) supposed to go to Italy. Instead Britain and France got them. The Italian government said nothing.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Example 4: Former German colonies in Africa were a prized possession. Italy wanted a foothold in Africa, and didn’t have one yet. All German colonies went to Britain and France instead. Italy was excluded entirely.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Extremist Groups In Northern Italy (industrial heartland) unemployment and discontent were high. Radicals formed Socialist and Communist groups, organized into soviets like the USSR. The Middle-class and Wealthy were afraid of them. They would turn to anyone who could control the extremists.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Poor Economy High national debt and rising inflation hit Italy after the war (as it did most countries). Their currency dropped to 1/3 its original value Unemployment was very high elsewhere as well

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Returning soldiers found no work and were not well cared for. They rushed to join the Soviets. In the North, there were many strikes. Railways, postal service, and phones were hit hard. 600 factories with more than 500,000 workers were seized by the workers. It seemed as though a Russian-style revolution could happen at any time.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

In the South, things remained semi-feudal, and Barons owned most of the land. Peasants expected improvements to their conditions after the war. When it didn’t come, they striked, rioted, killed cattle... and some owners. Owners wanted protection from the masses of peasants...

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Political Inertia There were dozens of political parties in Italy.

None could get a majority, and coalitions never worked together well.

Between June 1919 and March 1922, Italy had four different Prime Ministers.

Governments were just trying to keep power, and never got to any of the pressing issues.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

THE SOLUTION.... Enter Mussolini. He offered to fix everything… status, inertia, peasants, strikes, communists, the economy… all at the cost of some pesky freedoms and liberties. So... did he fix the problems? Yes and No...

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

Strikes, unions, protests, and the hated Soviets were all outlawed immediately. That ended much competition and the baron’s fears.

He raised taxes to get the economy moving, and he removed most bureaucrats in financial areas.

Railways were put back into dependable service, made “user pay,” and profits went to the government.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

They drained swampland and made it into fertile land, solving many food problems and much unemployment – farming work.

Food production increased between 40 and 70% in ten years... though Italy was still forced to import food by the time WW2 started.

By 1930, Italy was the most advanced nation in Europe in regards to electricity and power.

HOW / WHY IN ITALY?

But..... Her industry was severely handicapped. Italy lacked the natural resources of Iron ore and Coal. The solution is simple though... if you’re a Fascist: __________________________

Invade someone and take it!

UP NEXT... THE FAILURE OF DEMOCRACY IN GERMANY

unit 02: 1919 - 1933 · the finer points of facism . understanding fascism fascism was essentially...

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