Q. By giving main features of the ‘Fascist ideology’, discuss the rise to Totalitarian state in Europe after the First World War. [20 Marks]

Ans:

The Fascist ideology was a political ideology that dominated many parts of Europe between 1919 and 1945. Mussolini started the first fascist party, in Italy; Later the term was used, not entirely accurately, to describe other right-wing movements and governments. In fact, each brand of ‘fascism’ had its own special features.

• Totalitarian system of Government: A system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible.
• Extreme nationalism: An emphasis on the rebirth of the nation after a period of decline; building up the greatness and prestige of the state, with the implication that one’s own nation is superior to all others.
• A one-party state: There was no place for democratic debate, because that made decisive government impossible and held up progress.
• It also involved the cult of the great charismatic leader who would guide and inspire the nation to great things. Mussolini did not see himself as a prime minister or president – instead he took the title il Duce (‘the leader’), in the same way that Hitler called himself Fuhrer.
• Fascism was especially hostile to communism, which explains much of its popularity with big business and the wealthy.
• Rejection of individualism and importance of the state: the Fascist conception of life stresses the importance of the State and accepts the individual only in so far as his interests coincide with those of the State.
• Economic self-sufficiency (autarky): This was vitally important in developing the greatness of the state; the government must therefore direct the economic life of the nation (though not in the Marxist sense of the state owning factories and land).
• Use of propaganda: Great use was made of all the latest modern forms of propaganda – uniforms, marches, songs and displays, all to demonstrate that fascists were a completely new and dynamic alternative to the boring, old-fashioned traditional parties, and to mobilize mass support behind the heroic leader.
• Militarism and Social Darwinism:
  • The military strength and violence were considered an integral part of the way of life. Mussolini himself remarked – “Peace is observed: Fascism does not believe in it“. Hence, they fostered the myth that they had sieved power by force, they allowed the violent treatment of opponents and critics, and they pursued an aggressive foreign policy.
  • The doctrine of survival of the fittest (Social Darwinism) and the necessity of struggle for life is applied by fascists to the life of a nation-state. Peaceful, complacent nations are seen as doomed to fall before more dynamic ones, making struggle and aggressive militarism a leading characteristic of the fascist state. Imperialism is the logical outcome of this dogma.
• They emphasized the close unity of all classes working together to achieve their ends.
• Some other branches of fascist like Nazism also had the racist characteristic. e.g. Anti-semitism and Aryanism.
  • However, after 1938 Mussolini too enacted a series of anti-Semitic measures in order to solidify his new military alliance with Hitler.
• In Italy the fascist created a corporate state and such approach was absent in German branch of the fascist ideology.
• In Germany the theory of Blut und Boden (i.e. theory of blood and soil) was presented. It was an idea of a “racially” defined national body (“blood”) united with a settlement area (“soil”). Here the soil refers to deep affection for the homeland and peasantry, peasantry was considered to contain the most refined qualities of German race.

• Italy and Germany were dissatisfied post WW1. And in the crisi of post ww1, socialist idea began to flow And when crisis are deep , people tend to move towards radical ideas. So, scenario was such that any kind radical nationlist idea could work.
• Puzzled, Humiliation, anger and disillusionment were prevalent in these countries. So the responded with a new nationalism.
• As socialism began to grow, it was challenge to bourgeois- who were afraid of these trend to being anti-capitalism
• So, Totalitarian states emerged in the age of anxiety and disillusionment. Thus, it the prevalent situation that gave rise of Fascist ideology.
• In Italy:
  • The Fascist party was formed formally in 1919. In 1921, it fought parliamentary election and leader was Mussolini and got 35 seats.
  • Class conflict was prevalent where society was split into working class, middle class, Industrialists. Strikes were frequent in factories.
  • There were increase in violent activities by left wing Communist Parties and right wing radicals.
  • Situation of working class was worsening due to exploitation and capitalists were always fearful about left wing revolutionary activities.
  • These conflicts and violent activities along with worsening economic condition had resulted in political instabilities.
  • Economy was in crisis due to Italian participation the First World War and inefficient economic system of Italy.
  • In 1922, Mussolini staged a march to Rome-to show strength and Italy was in a crisis.
  • In this scenario, the king invited Mussolini to form the government. Thus, Mussolini came to power in 1922 and became the prime minister. But as a PM, he became all in all.
• In Germany:
  • After Germany lost the First World War, the German Emperor Kaiser fled and a new democratic government of Germany was declared in February 1919 at the small town of Weimar, hence called Weimar Republic.
    • From the very beginning weimar republic remained weak, confronted of so many problems. e.g. economic crisis, unemployment etc.
    • In Germany ,there was a traditional lack of respect for democratic government and a great admiration for the army.
    • The Weimar Republic had accepted the humiliating and unpopular Versailles Treaty and was therefore always associated with defeat and dishonour. German nationalists could never forgive it for that.
  • The period 1912-1923, great economic crisis situation prevailed in Germany and weimar republic failed in tackling it. So, 1919-23 was a period of great instability.
  • Again Great depression of 1929 and the end of U.S. assistance was another major blow to the economic situation. Thus, crisis after crisis, massive unemployment etc created condition for rise of Nazism.
  • The prevailing condition was exploited by Nazi Party, formally formed in 1919. Its official name was national socialist German labour party.
  • The party staged a revolt in 1923 but it failed and fought election in 1928 and got 12 seats.
  • Anger helped the Nazis to gain more support.Many workers turned to communism, but this frightened wealthy businessmen, so they financed Hitler’s campaigns.Many middle-class people, alarmed by the obvious failure of democracy, decided that the country needed a strong government.
  • in 1932 election, The Nazi emerged as the largest Party and got 230 seats.
  • The government was in chaos. President Hindenburg dismissed Bruning in 1932. His replacement, Papen, lasted six months, and the next chancellor only lasted two months.In January 1933, Hindenburg and Papen came up with a plan to get the Nazis on their side by offering to make Hitler vice chancellor. He refused and demanded to be made chancellor. They agreed, thinking they could control him. In January 1933, Hitler became chancellor.
  • He consolidated power by using violence through his private army and propaganda. He used fire at the Reichstag to stir up fear of communism and as a pretext for the banning communist parties. Enabling Act was passed by force which gave Hitler absolute power to make his laws. Political parties are banned – only the Nazi party is allowed to exist. Banning political parties made Germany a one-party state and destroyed democracy in the country.
  • When President Hindenburg died, Hitler declares himself jointly president, chancellor and head of the army. This formally made Hitler the absolute ruler of Germany.
• In Spain, the fascist movement, the Falange (“Phalanx”), founded in 1933 de Rivera, never came to power but many of its members were absorbed into the military dictatorship of Francisco Franco, which itself displayed many fascist characteristics.
• In Poland the anti-Semitic Falanga, led by Boleslaw Piasecki, was influential but was unable to overthrow the conservative regime of Józef Piłsudski. ©selfstudyhistory.com

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