Rise of fascism

1. Rise of Fascism
•What is Fascism?
•Fascist Dictators
•Reasons for the Rise of Fascism

2. What is Fascism?
•1. A right-wing political ideology.
•2. Strong emphasis on Nationalism.
•3. Fascist parties organised along
military lines with a single leader.
•4. Implemented dictatorship.
•5. Charismatic dictator in control.

3. What is Fascism?
•6. Opposition parties, trade unions
banned.
•7. Elections abolished.
•8. Opposed to democracy, liberalism
and communism.
•9. Anti-Semitic (Nazis)
•10. Use of propaganda, intimidation and
terror

4. Fascist Dictatorships
•Italy under Mussolini
•Germany under Hitler
•Spain under Franco

•Arrow Cross ruled Hungary (1944-45)
•Iron Guard ruled Romania (1940-41)

5. Fascist Dictatorships
•Fascist groups in German and Italian
occupied territories collaborated with
the Nazis and Italian Fascists during
WW2 e.g.

- Lithuania, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia,
France, Latvia

6. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Economic factors
•Major economic instability weakened
European political life
•Uncontrollable inflation wiped out
savings and created mass
unemployment.

7. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
2. Treaty of Versailles
•Dissatisfaction with terms of WW1 peace
treaties contributed to the rise of fascism.
•Italy didn’t receive territory it was promised.
•Germany was subjected to harsh reparation
terms and lost territory.
•New states established with the break up of
empires caused friction over borders.

8. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Fear of Communism
•The upper and middle classes feared the
spread of communism following the Russian
Revolution.
•Communist revolts in Germany, Austria and
Hungary in 1919 contributed to this fear.
•Fascism was seen as a better barrier to
communism than democracy.

9. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Weak democracies
•Weak multi-party governments
•Economic crisis
•Political instability

10. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
Support of Middle Classes
•The Middle Classes (mainly in rural
areas) felt trapped between unionised
workers and the wealthy elites.
•Fascism claimed to represent their
interests

11. Factors in the Rise of Fascism
•Summary
•Economic factors
•Treaty of Versailles
•Fear of Communism
•Weak democracies
•Support of Middle Classes

12. •Presentation prepared by:
•Dominic Haugh
•St. Particks Comprehensive School
•Shannon
•Co. Clare
•Presentation can be used for educational purposes only – all rights remain with author