What is Fascism? | World History Project

Summary

This educational script delves into the historical and political roots of fascism, tracing its origins from the Italian 'fascio' to Mussolini's political movements. It clarifies misconceptions, contrasting fascism with authoritarianism and populism, and highlighting its unique blend of traditionalism and radicalism. Historian Robert O. Paxton's definition is explored, emphasizing fascism's reliance on violence, unity narratives, and the exclusion of perceived outsiders. The script also touches on the Ku Klux Klan as an example of American fascism, illustrating the phenomenon's global impact and the importance of recognizing its signs in contemporary society.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Fascism is a misunderstood term often used to denounce political systems or leaders without a clear understanding of its historical and political meaning.
• 🏛 The word 'fascism' originates from the Italian 'fascio', symbolizing unity and militant action, and was adopted by Mussolini for his political movements.
• 📚 Historian Robert O. Paxton defines fascism as a form of political behavior, emphasizing actions over rhetoric, and its ability to unite different extremist groups.
• 🌐 Fascists manipulate narratives of community decline and victimhood to gain support, often using racial or national identities to define who belongs and who doesn't.
• 💬 Fascism requires the formation of alliances with existing elites and convincing ordinary people to support radical changes and actions.
• 🛡 Fascism is characterized by its opposition to international movements like socialism and communism, promoting extreme nationalism instead.
• 🏳 Fascists claim to eliminate class conflict through national unification and racial cleansing, often benefiting capitalist owners and industries.
• 🏰 The ideology of fascism elevates the state above all, with the famous Italian fascist phrase 'Everything for the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state'.
• ⚔ Fascism glorifies violence, conquest, and war, often using it as a means to achieve internal cleansing and external expansion without ethical or legal restraint.
• 🎭 Fascist movements make extensive use of symbolic imagery, staged events, and propaganda to appeal to local sentiments and increase their influence.
• 🇺🇸 The script also highlights an example of a local fascist movement, the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s United States, showing fascism's presence beyond Europe.
• 🚫 The script clarifies that while fascism shares elements with authoritarianism and populism, it is distinct due to its focus on national or racial purity and aggression.

Q & A

What is the origin of the term 'fascism'?

The term 'fascism' originates from the Italian word 'fascio,' which means a bundle or sheaf. It symbolized unity and commitment to militant action among late-19th-century Italian revolutionaries.

How did Benito Mussolini use the concept of 'fascio' in his political ideology?

Benito Mussolini, a former socialist, chose the name Fascio Rivoluzionario d'Azione Internazionalista for his revolutionary movement. This later evolved into the Fascist movement, emphasizing strong centralized power and aggressive nationalism.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Fascism

This paragraph introduces the concept of fascism, a significant and destructive political ideology of the 20th century. It clarifies that fascism is often misunderstood and misused in contemporary discourse. The origin of the term is traced back to Italy, with a detailed account of its evolution from a symbol of unity and militant action to the name of Mussolini's political groups. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of understanding fascism's history and definition to recognize its resurgence. It also outlines the definition of fascism by historian Robert O. Paxton, highlighting its nature as a political behavior characterized by the unification of discontented extremists and manipulation of public sentiment through messages of victimhood and community decline.

05:02

🔍 Fascism's Rise and Characteristics

This section delves into the rise of fascism in Italy and Germany, focusing on the strategies employed by Mussolini and Hitler to consolidate power. It discusses the use of nationalism to draw support away from international movements like socialism and communism, and the emphasis on racial purity as a means to define and 'purify' the nation. The paragraph also explores the economic aspects of fascism, showing how it often benefited capitalist interests while promoting the idea of a state above all else. The summary concludes with Paxton's assertion that fascism is inherently violent, seeking internal cleansing and external expansion without ethical or legal constraints, and the role of propaganda and symbolic imagery in fascist movements, exemplified by the Ku Klux Klan in the United States.

10:03

🚫 Fascism: Misconceptions and Distinctions

The final paragraph clarifies what fascism is not, distinguishing it from authoritarianism and populism. It explains that while fascism shares elements with these ideologies, it is unique in its obsession with national and racial purity, and its aggressive pursuit of power. The paragraph contrasts the conservative nature of authoritarianism, which often relies on existing institutions, with the radical and modern aspects of fascism. It also differentiates populism, which claims to represent 'the people' but does not typically involve the same level of aggressive nationalism or racial purity as fascism. The summary highlights the dangerous appeal of fascism to those seeking power and its potential for violence and destruction.

Keywords

💡Fascism

Fascism is a political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. In the video, it is described as an 'explosive and damaging political phenomenon' of the 20th century, with a focus on its emergence in Italy and Germany, and its core elements like glorification of aggression and a sense of exclusive community.

💡Fascio

The term 'fascio' is Italian for 'bundle' or 'sheaf' and historically symbolized unity and strength, as a bundle of sticks is hard to break. In the video, it is mentioned as the origin of the word 'fascism', used by Italian revolutionaries and later by Benito Mussolini to name his political groups.

💡Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was the founder of Italian Fascism and the leader of the National Fascist Party. The script describes his role in coining the term 'Fascism' through his political groups and how his party's symbol became synonymous with the ideology.

💡Nationalism

Nationalism, as discussed in the video, is an extreme form of patriotism that emphasizes the importance of a nation's unity and interests. Fascist movements, such as those led by Mussolini and Hitler, used nationalism to rally support and push their agendas of racial and national purity.

💡Racial Purity

Racial purity is the belief in the superiority of one's own race and the idea of maintaining it uncontaminated by other races. The video explains how fascists defined the 'nation' in terms of race and used this concept to justify violence against those considered 'outsiders'.

💡Propaganda

Propaganda refers to information, often biased or misleading, used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. The script mentions the use of propaganda by fascist movements to manipulate public opinion and support their ideologies.

💡Total War

Total war is a warfare strategy that involves the mobilization of all available resources and the full capacity of a nation to fight a war. The video describes how fascist regimes glorified war and used it as a means to solve problems and solidify their rule.

💡Authoritarianism

Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom. The video distinguishes authoritarianism from fascism, noting that while they share some elements, authoritarian rulers often rely on existing institutions to maintain order.

💡Populism

Populism is a political approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups. The script explains that while populism is critical of elites, it does not inherently involve the extreme nationalism or racial purity promoted by fascism.

💡Ku Klux Klan

The Ku Klux Klan, as mentioned in the video, is an American white supremacist group that has been associated with local fascist movements. The Klan used symbols and staged events to promote their ideology of white nationalism and victimhood, which parallels the tactics of historical fascist movements.

💡Violence

In the context of the video, violence is portrayed as a core component of fascism, used for internal cleansing and external expansion without ethical or legal restraints. It is highlighted as a means for fascist regimes to achieve their goals and maintain power.

Highlights

Fascism is defined as an explosive and damaging political phenomenon of the 20th century, often misunderstood and misused in contemporary discourse.

The term 'fascism' originates from the Italian word 'fascio', symbolizing unity and militant action.

Benito Mussolini's political journey from socialism to founding the Fasci di Combattimento, signifying the birth of the fascist movement.

Fascism's core involves the glorification of aggression and the creation of an exclusive, male-dominated community.

Historian Robert O. Paxton's definition of fascism as a form of political behavior emphasizes actions over rhetoric.

Fascists aim to unify discontented extremists by forming alliances with elite groups and manipulating public sentiment.

Fascism exploits narratives of community decline and victimhood, promising to unify and purify the nation.

Racial ideologies are central to fascist definitions of community, enabling the justification of violence against perceived outsiders.

Fascists challenge international movements like socialism and communism, promoting extreme nationalism instead.

Fascism rejects class-based community definitions in favor of national unity and racial purity.

Fascist economies are characterized by state control or corporatism, often benefiting capitalist owners and industries.

Fascism's theoretical elevation of the state is often a cover for the benefit of economic elites and the fascists themselves.

Fascism is marked by redemptive violence, pursuing internal cleansing and external expansion without ethical or legal restraint.

The use of symbolic imagery, staged events, and propaganda is prevalent in all fascist movements to increase appeal.

The Ku Klux Klan serves as an example of a local fascist movement within the United States during the 1920s.

Fascism is distinguished from authoritarianism by its radicalism and from populism by its obsession with national or racial purity.

Fascism's dangerous allure lies in its ability to attract those seeking power, often prioritizing it over a coherent political philosophy.

Transcripts

(music playing)

In this unit, we need to go into some difficult territory.

We are going to talk about fascism.

Fascism was probably

the most explosive and damaging political phenomenon

of the 20th century,

and it is also an explosive and misunderstood word.

Have you heard people use this word?

It is often thrown around as a way of denouncing

a political system, movement, or leader

one fears or doesn't like.

Fascism is a definable thing.

And in some places-- most notably Italy and Germany--

it was a system of government.

It is extremely important

to understand the meaning and history of fascism,

so that we can all notice when it is beginning to appear

and when fascists are beginning to acquire power.

The word "fascism" comes from the Italian word "fascio,"

which just means a bundle or sheaf.

It had long been used as a political image in Europe.

Because a bundle of sticks is hard to break,

this image was used

by late-19th-century Italian revolutionaries

to symbolize their commitment to each other

and to militant action.

Then, in 1914,

a copy editor and former socialist

named Benito Mussolini,

having turned his back on socialism,

was looking for a name for his new political group.

He chose Fascio Rivoluzionario d'Azione Interventista--

Revolutionary League for Interventionist Action.

Later, in 1919,

Mussolini created the Fasci di Combattimento,

or Fraternities of Combat.

In this simple name, he managed to capture

the sense of exclusive community they were trying to create,

the male-dominated nature of the organization,

and the glorification of aggression

that lies at the heart of fascism.

Eventually, Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party.

And this was its symbol.

So, now we have a better understanding

of where the word "fascism" came from.

But what is fascism?

Historian Robert O. Paxton,

in his book "The Anatomy of Fascism,"

came up with this definition.

That's a long paragraph,

so let's take it one bit at a time.

First, Paxton calls fascism

a "form of political behavior."

He is telling us that it is important to pay attention

to what fascists do, and not just what they say.

Fascist leaders like Mussolini and Adolf Hitler

gave dramatic speeches and produced manifestos,

but these do not tell us much

about how they actually acquired and used power.

Fascist behavior aims to bring together

different groups of angry, discontented extremists

and to figure out how to get them to work with each other.

Fascists have to form alliances

with existing elite groups and individuals

and to figure out how to get ordinary people's cooperation.

How can they convince people

to let them change society and commit atrocities?

Or at least get them to not resist?

One answer, Paxton says, is that fascists spin messages

about "community decline, humiliation, or victimhood,"

and say that they can

"unify, energize, and purify" this community.

But in order to benefit

from people's anger or sense of victimhood,

they must first tell a story

about who is a member of the "community"

and who is not.

In late 19th- and early 20th-century Europe,

ideas about "race" provided the easiest--

you might say laziest--

way to think about who could belong to a community.

Once fascists had defined the "nation" in terms of race,

they could claim to know how

to "purify" and "strengthen" the nation,

and justify radical violence

to exclude or eliminate those perceived as "outsiders."

Of course, in order to convince the public

that their stories about race and nation were right and true,

fascists had to challenge other stories.

In the 1920s, Mussolini's National Fascist Party

and Hitler's National Socialist Party

both tried to push Italian and German workers and artisans

into extreme forms of nationalism.

But to do this, they had to pull people away

from international movements

like socialism, communism, pacifism, and feminism.

Socialism, which used class, rather than nation or race,

to define community,

was especially hated by fascists.

So the emphasis in the Nazis' formal name

should be more on the "national" than the "socialist."

But neither party fits neatly into ideas of right and left.

Hitler and Mussolini claimed

that they would eliminate class conflict,

but not through international cooperation or worker control.

They thought that it would happen

through national unification, racial cleansing,

a return to "traditional" roles and values,

and state-controlled, or corporatist, economies.

Fascists believed in elevating a "pure" state above all else.

"Everything for the state, nothing outside the state,

nothing against the state,"

Italian fascists liked to say.

In theory, this elevation of the state

was supposed to pull a country together

for la razza-- the people, or the folk.

In practice, fascism generally ended up benefiting

capitalist owners and industries,

while capitalist industries supported the state.

As Paxton said,

fascism worked "in uneasy but effective collaboration

with traditional elites."

In the process, democracy was sacrificed

to benefit those economic elites

and the fascists themselves.

Lastly, Paxton states that fascism

"pursues with redemptive violence

"and without ethical or legal restraints

goals of internal cleansing and external expansion."

In short, fascism glorifies violence, conquest, and war,

and disdains existing legal restrictions

on their exercise.

Total war is the only kind of war for fascists.

Early fascist violence was in fact rooted

in the devastation and confusion after World War I.

And then, war-making in the 1930s and '40s

helped fascist regimes solidify their rule.

As Hitler said to Joseph Goebbels,

his minister of propaganda,

"War made possible for us

"the solution of a whole series of problems

that could never have been solved in normal times."

Terribly, the "problems"

that Hitler and other fascists wanted to solve

often included the very lives of people

they considered to be outside the nation.

One last thing that did not make it into Paxton's definition,

but that is prevalent in all fascist movements,

is the use of symbolic imagery, staged events, and propaganda.

Fascist movements always use local symbols and myths

in order to increase their appeal.

In order to make this more clear,

we will leave the well-known cases of Italy and Germany

and consider one other example:

the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s United States.

You might think of the United States as a country

that fought fascism in World War II.

But fascism has come in waves inside the U.S., too,

starting in the late 19th century.

Some Americans admired Mussolini,

and, for a while, even Hitler.

"The Ku Klux Klan," wrote Charles Edward Jefferson,

a pro-Klan minister in 1920s New York,

"is the Mussolini of America."

1920s Klan members believed

that white Protestant Americans were victims

of a rapidly changing and diversifying United States.

They formed militias, advocated a white nationalism,

and claimed that they could cleanse the United States

of immigrants and other "un-American" elements.

They were anti-Catholic, anti-black, and anti-Semitic,

believing that those groups were "outside of the nation."

Their symbols were both political and religious.

In their rallies,

they flew American, not Confederate, flags,

and they burned crosses

both as a threat and as a symbol of their militant Christianity.

Okay, so now we've learned

where the term "fascism" came from,

some ways that fascism grew under Mussolini and Hitler,

and we've seen another-- maybe unexpected-- example

of a local fascist movement.

Now let's talk about what fascism is not.

Fascism is sometimes used interchangeably

with the terms "authoritarianism"

and "populism."

Fascism includes elements of both,

but they are not identical.

Authoritarianism is a basically conservative political stance

concerned with maintaining order.

Authoritarian rulers often use existing institutions,

like the military, the monarchy, or the church,

in order to do this.

1930s Spain under Francisco Franco

is often called fascist,

but many historians disagree with this label.

When it came to ruling,

Franco was authoritarian and extremely conservative,

rather than fascist.

He was a military general who ignored the demands

of his radical fascist allies,

and instead worked closely with the existing monarchy,

capitalist businessmen, and landowners.

His brutal tactics during the Spanish Civil War

were used against political and ideological enemies,

but not so much racial or national "others."

Populism is a political stance that is critical of elites

and that claims to fully represent "the people."

Populists can easily dismiss their opponents

by claiming that they do not truly

understand or represent the people in an authentic way.

But populism does not typically rest

on the kinds of obsessive ideas

about national or racial purity and aggression

that fascism promotes.

Juan Perón's rule in Argentina from 1946 to 1955

is an example of a populist dictatorship

that was not fascist.

Perón used personal popularity with the people

to take and wield power,

often against political enemies,

but not by singling out a national or racial enemy.

Fascism, in contrast, embodies a dangerous spiral

between conservatism on the one hand

and radicalism on the other.

It proclaims the value of "tradition,"

using local and sometimes invented images and traditions

to represent a "pure" nation,

and it hurtles headlong into "modernity"

using new technologies

and proclaiming the need for radical change

at one and the same time.

It is often more about power

than any real political philosophy.

That's why it is attractive to people

who want to take and hold power--

individual, national, or racial--

and also why it is so dangerous.

(music playing)