The Rise of Fascism
Dictators like Mussolini and Hitler exploited fear and unrest.
About this topic
Fascism is an extreme nationalist, authoritarian ideology that glorifies the state and a strong leader, suppresses opposition, and rejects democracy and communism. It grew after World War I amid economic crisis, fear of communism, humiliation over the peace treaties and weak democracies. Benito Mussolini founded the movement in Italy and became prime minister after the March on Rome in 1922, ruling as Il Duce with a one-party dictatorship, secret police and propaganda.
In Germany, Adolf Hitler led the Nazi Party, which added racism and antisemitism. After a failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, he wrote Mein Kampf in prison and used the Great Depression's misery to gain votes, becoming chancellor in January 1933. After the Reichstag fire he got emergency powers, banned other parties, and built a totalitarian state with the Gestapo, control of media and youth groups, calling himself Fuhrer.
Similar regimes arose in Spain under Franco, and militarists took power in Japan. These leaders promised jobs, pride and order, while blaming scapegoats such as minorities. Fascists broke the Treaty of Versailles and expanded: Italy invaded Ethiopia, Germany took Austria and the Sudetenland, and Britain and France followed appeasement, as at the Munich Agreement in 1938. Misconception: Hitler did not simply seize power by force; he used elections and legal tools and then destroyed democracy.
Key ideas
- Totalitarian control
- Propaganda
- Nazi Germany 1933
Quick check
Use cases: where The Rise of Fascism helps
- Homework: review the key idea behind The Rise of Fascism before you start a problem set.
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Studying the past helps explain today’s politics, borders, cultures and institutions.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Rise of Fascism?
Dictators like Mussolini and Hitler exploited fear and unrest.
What will I learn in The Rise of Fascism?
Totalitarian control. Propaganda. Nazi Germany 1933.
Is The Rise of Fascism part of World History?
Yes. It is one of 80 World History topics on LearnViz HighSchoolEdu, with 3 key ideas, a live animation and a quick check.
Does the The Rise of Fascism lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The animation resizes to fit your screen and supports touch, so you can drag, tap and slide with your finger.
How should I study The Rise of Fascism?
Read the summary and key ideas first, play with the interactive lab to see the idea in motion, then answer the quick check. If you get a question wrong, go back to the key idea it tests.
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