The Rise of Totalitarianism: Fascism and Nazism's Impact

Characteristics of Fascism

Fascism was a regime defined by six main characteristics:

• Undemocratic and Anti-Communist Ideology: Its foundation was an undemocratic and anti-communist ideology.
• Totalitarian Leadership: The state was run by a totalitarian, all-powerful leader, often referred to as "the Duce." Individual liberties were abolished.
• State Intervention in Economy: The state intervened in the economy to achieve national self-sufficiency.
• Societal Domination and Repression: The state dominated society. Any opposition was severely repressed, and education and information media were tightly controlled to manage public opinion.
• Fierce Nationalism and Expansionism: It fostered fierce nationalism and expansion, which for Italy, required the creation of a colonial empire.
• Cult of Violence and Militarism: It developed a cult of violence and militarism. Its aim was not to convince opponents, but to eliminate them by any method.

The Economic Crisis of the 1930s and Germany

Since 1924, a new government in Germany, formed by a coalition of Social Democrats and centrist parties, had achieved economic stability. However, the turning point came when Marshal von Hindenburg, a war hero, was elected president of the republic.

Consequences of the Crisis

The economic crisis increased social discontent and tension, affecting workers and the middle classes most severely. Many people stopped supporting the government and began voting for extremist options.

Hitler's Ideology

After the failed 1923 Munich Putsch, Hitler was imprisoned. In jail, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle), which defined his ideology. It reflected many features of fascism:

• Cult of the leader
• Primacy of the state
• Incitement of violence among youth

The Birth of the Totalitarian Regime

The totalitarian state was a dictatorship, a regime that did not respect individual freedoms.

Hitler's Appeal and a Unified Germany

Hitler and his policies attracted a significant portion of the German population.

German Aspirations for Power

One of Nazi Germany's priorities was to restore its role as a great power. To achieve this, it launched an aggressive foreign policy.

German Expansion: 1938-1939

In 1938, German troops invaded Austria, which was then annexed by Germany. The Sudeten region of Czechoslovakia, home to 3 million Germans, was also annexed. In 1939, Hitler occupied the rest of Czechoslovakia.

Nazi Racist Ideology

Nazism is a variant of fascism with more specific features. Its ideology was based on a racist and racial interpretation of history. The belief in inferior and superior races was widespread from the late 19th century, but the Nazi regime took this idea to its logical conclusion.

For Hitler, Germans belonged to the Aryan race, considered the superior race responsible for all great human creations. Therefore, it should be imposed upon 'lesser peoples' such as Slavs, Roma, and especially Jews. According to Hitler, racial mixing, particularly with the Jewish population, explained Germany's perceived decline.

Therefore, Hitler considered restoring racial purity to the population a priority.

First, Jews were prohibited from exercising most professions, making it difficult for them to earn a living.

Due to this persecution, many Jews were exiled to other European countries. In 1942, during World War II, Hitler decided to implement the 'Final Solution.' All Jews and Roma in Germany were deported to extermination camps.