Mrs. Ruland's Advanced Placement United States History Class
Unit 12 — Diplomacy and War, 1920-1945
The Philosophy of Fascism
Europe, 1922-1945
The following are the beliefs of the fascist governments in Europe during the period 1922-1945 as evidenced by their practices. These ARE NOT the beliefs of the author.
Democracy causes chaos, people don't know what to believe, conflicting opinions and party disagreements harm the government and the nation.
2. The country must arm itself
The army and navy have to be strong to defeat the Communist threat, both from outside - the Soviet Union - and from Communists inside the country. The reopening of factories making weapons will help the economy; the demand for iron, steel, coal, and other basic products will increase; and people will be put back to work.
3. All media and information must be government-controlled.
Books, newspapers, magazines, and radio should be restricted and censored, so Communists and others who disagree with the government will have no forum for their propaganda. Meetings of opposition parties should be broken up, using violence if necessary. All history, art, music, and learning should portray the country and its past heroically; nothing negative about the country or its government should be published or taught.
4. Unions should be outlawed and business serve the government's goals.
When workers organize, they disrupt business and interfere with national economic development. Unions spread Communist teachings. The government should sponsor worker's societies, teaching the value of sacrifice for the good of the nation. Businesses should produce the goods the government requests, and they in turn will be helped to make a profit.
5. Some racial and religious groups are inferior and should have no power in business and government.
The inferior groups vary from nation to nation, but, generally, anyone with a dark skin or a non-Christian religion is suspect. Jews, in particular, are undesirable because they have conspired to bring economic chaos, through their control of banks and business. Since the white race is superior, it should conquer the inferiors and use their lands and resources.
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Last updated December 27, 2002
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