Fascism and Nazism: Rise of Totalitarian Regimes in Europe

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Features of Fascism and Nazism

Fascism

Fascism was an ideology based on anti-democratic and anti-communist principles. The State was led by a totalitarian, powerful leader, and individual liberties were abolished. The state dominated society, and any opposition was severely repressed. The state also intervened in the economy in order to achieve self-sufficiency. Fascism imposed a fierce nationalism and was expansionist, which required the creation of a colonial empire for Italy. It developed a cult of violence and militarism.

Nazism

Nazism included a cult of the leader, the primacy of the state, the glorification of violence and youth, and racism. Women were expected to devote themselves only to having children and household chores.

Hitler's Rise to Power

The Political Consequences of the Crisis

The economic crisis increased discontent and social tension. Many people stopped supporting the government and began voting for extremist options. Due to the fear of a workers' revolution, industrial and financial firms gave financial support to the Nazi party.

Hitler's Legal Rise to Power

In parliamentary elections, the Communists and the Nazis were the most voted forces, while the Socialists and the centrist parties suffered a significant decline but still held a majority. In the presidential elections, Hindenburg was re-elected. Normally, the head of government was the leader of the largest party in the parliamentary elections, but since neither party had obtained an absolute majority, the president decided. Pressured by business and conservatives, Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor.

The Elimination of Opposition

The Nazis took over all the power. The first thing they did was to eliminate the opposition parties on the pretext that a communist had burned the Reichstag. The Communists were incarcerated in concentration camps. The Nazi government exploited the situation to outlaw all parties except the Nazi party. After Hindenburg's death, Hitler took over three key positions.

The Weimar Republic

After Germany's defeat in World War I, the German emperor abdicated. A constituent assembly meeting in the city of Weimar developed a new constitution that created a republic ruled by a democratic regime. The largest party was the Social Democrats. The new democracy faced opposition from extremist groups. On the left, groups like the Spartacus League thought that the new regime was too moderate and tried to seize power by force. The insurrection caused great violence, and the government responded with a bloodbath. The most conservative groups felt that the new regime was not legitimate since it had betrayed Germany by accepting the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler founded the Nationalist Party. The economic situation increased the number of discontented people. The peace treaties imposed some tough economic conditions on Germany.

The Economic Crisis of the 1930s

A new government formed by a coalition of Social Democrats and centrist parties managed to straighten out the economic situation. Marshal von Hindenburg was elected president. Germany was one of the countries most affected by the crash of 1929.

Key Terms

  • Totalitarianism: A dictatorial political regime that, besides eliminating individual freedoms, seeks to control all aspects of society.
  • Hyperinflation: An intense and continuous increase in prices, which may increase even daily.
  • Chancellor: Head of government.
  • Reichstag: Parliament.
  • Anti-semitism: Doctrine that advocates the rejection of everything that has to do with the Jews: their race, culture, or social influence.
  • Hitler Youth: Nazi association for children and youth, which became compulsory in 1936.

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