Changes

Nationalism had been developing for decades, but it turned into an extreme form known as “[[fascism]]” during this period.  Fascism is defined as a political philosophy that elevates the nation and its ethnicity above the individual, and uses a dictator to impose economic and social regimentation and control.  Often symbols are used for the purpose of mind-control, like the [[swastika]] in Germany.  Special salutes are also required to inculcate complete devotion to the national ruler.  Mass rallies were common.  All opposition was suppressed.

Nationalism had been developing for decades, but it turned into an extreme form known as “[[fascism]]” during this period.  Fascism is defined as a political philosophy that elevates the nation and its ethnicity above the individual, and uses a dictator to impose economic and social regimentation and control.  Often symbols are used for the purpose of mind-control, like the [[swastika]] in Germany.  Special salutes are also required to inculcate complete devotion to the national ruler.  Mass rallies were common.  All opposition was suppressed.

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 very different from [[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.  Many say that fascism and communism are opposites, but they did have characteristics in common: both used a dictator and demanded complete allegiance to the state ruler, rather than to God. Both also had a disdain for individual freedom and human rights, and both stressed the collective.

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===Mussolini===

===Mussolini===

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.

Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Albania were also taken over by their own dictators.  The only democracy left in Eastern Europe in 1935 was Czechoslovakia.

Yugoslavia, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria and Albania were also taken over by their own dictators.  The only democracy left in Eastern Europe in 1935 was Czechoslovakia.

==World War II==

==World War II==