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Fascism is the opposite of [[communism]], and fascist countries were the mortal enemies of communist countries.  Communism sought a [[worldwide revolution]] that would abolish national identity, while fascism sought exactly the opposite.  Communism opposed different social classes, while fascism encouraged it.  Communism hated wealth, while fascism encouraged the creation of wealth to make the nation stronger.  Communism pushed women into the traditionally male roles of industrial workers and even soldiers, while strongly nationalistic countries like Japan imported foreign male workers from Korea and China rather than force women into industrial jobs.  The only thing communism and fascism had in common was their use of a dictator and their demands for complete allegiance to the state ruler, rather than to God. (They also had in common a disdain for or lack of individual freedom and human rights- they both stressed the collective).

Fascism is the opposite of [[communism]], and fascist countries were the mortal enemies of communist countries.  Communism sought a [[worldwide revolution]] that would abolish national identity, while fascism sought exactly the opposite.  Communism opposed different social classes, while fascism encouraged it.  Communism hated wealth, while fascism encouraged the creation of wealth to make the nation stronger.  Communism pushed women into the traditionally male roles of industrial workers and even soldiers, while strongly nationalistic countries like Japan imported foreign male workers from Korea and China rather than force women into industrial jobs.  The only thing communism and fascism had in common was their use of a dictator and their demands for complete allegiance to the state ruler, rather than to God. (They also had in common a disdain for or lack of individual freedom and human rights- they both stressed the collective).

The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, demanding that King Victor Emmanuel abdicate in favor of Mussolini.  The king did step down and Mussolini became Il Duce, the leader of Italy.  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

The first signs of fascism were in Italy, where the people were upset at not acquiring territory as a result of World War I and where economic problems existed earlier than the Great Depression.  In 1919, Benito Mussolini founded Italy’s Fascist Party, emphasizing the need to improve Italy’s economy and its military.  In October 1922, the Fascists or “Black Shirts” protested in Rome, demanding that King Victor Emmanuel abdicate in favor of Mussolini.  The king did step down and Mussolini became Il Duce, the leader of Italy.  Mussolini then suppressed all opposition.  Ironically, Mussolini forbade strikes as he wanted to win over the wealthy people in the country and build Italy’s economic strength.

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation. (The humiliation and outrage caused by this treaty is often cited as a reason for Hitler's rise to power).  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that properly refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hinduism and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather Indian features.

In Germany the name of the fascists was the “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”, and their political party was called the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party, or “Nazis” for short.  Adolf Hitler became their leader and he promised to stop communism and undo the Treaty of Versailles, which many Germans considered to be a humiliation to their nation. (The humiliation and outrage caused by this treaty is often cited as a reason for Hitler's rise to power).  In 1923 Hitler led an armed rebellion in Munich, but was defeated and jailed.  While imprisoned, he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in which he declared “Aryans” to be the master race.  Hitler considered most German people to be “Aryans”, a term that properly refers to the Indo-European people who partly migrated to India.  The connection is ironic because the swastika, Hitler’s symbol, is borrowed from Hinduism and the name itself is Sanskrit.  But when Hitler said “Aryan” he meant people having Nordic features rather Indian features.

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  This day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “Kristallnacht”.  Afterwards Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.  

From the start Hitler blamed Jewish people in Germany for its problems.  In 1933, the Nazis began passing laws taking away rights from Jews, and on Nov. 9, 1938 the Nazis conducted a massive pogrom in a thousand German towns that attacked Jewish people in their homes and destroyed their businesses.  This day, which came after years of harassment, is known as the “Kristallnacht”.  Afterwards Jews were prohibited from being in public buildings or owning or working in retail stores.  

Meanwhile, dictators were rising to power in other countries.  In 1936, a civil war broke out in Spain when fascists who supported General Francisco Franco attempted to overthrow the elected republican government.  This was a three-sided civil war, as Franco’s Nationalists battled a group of communists (the “International Brigades”) as well as the Republicans, and it lasted for three bloody years until 1939.  This war attracted attention by writers and thinkers worldwide.  The British writer George Orwell, who later penned classic anti-communist novels entitled Animal Farm and 1984, volunteered to fight for the republican government and against both the communists and Franco’s fascists.  Orwell survived after taking a bullet through his neck.  Britain, France and the United States remained officially neutral while Germany and Italy helped Franco.  Some Americans felt that Franco was far better than the communists, and were relieved that Franco won.

Meanwhile, dictators were rising to power in other countries.  In 1936, a civil war broke out in Spain when fascists who supported General Francisco Franco attempted to overthrow the elected republican government.  This was a three-sided civil war, as Franco’s Nationalists battled a group of communists (the “International Brigades”) as well as the Republicans, and it lasted for three bloody years until 1939.  This war attracted attention by writers and thinkers worldwide.  The British writer George Orwell, who later penned classic anti-communist novels entitled Animal Farm and 1984, volunteered to fight for the republican government and against both the communists and Franco’s fascists.  Orwell survived after taking a bullet through his neck.  Britain, France and the United States remained officially neutral while Germany and Italy helped Franco.  Some Americans felt that Franco was far better than the communists, and were relieved that Franco won.