Nationalism and Fascism

Nationalism
Nationalism is a political philosophy that advocates for loyalty and devotion to a certain
state. Nationalism in most cases leads to independence and separatism. In nationalism the
country act independently, make their own policies and do not rely on ideologies or principles of
other countries (Hobsbawm, 1990).
Both the Axis and allied powers fought with a nationalism spirit in order to protect the
sovereignty and independence of their states and empires. However, the axis powers in addition
to protecting the independence of their countries, they were also dictatorial, expansive, racists
and intolerant to other world political views. This group that had Germany and Italy as some of
the powers embraced fascism in order to help foster nationalism. Their nationalism movements
led to discrimination of other races for example in Germany where the Jews were discriminated
by the Hitler regime which was determined to exterminate them in the concentration camps.
Germany established various concentration camps around the world in her colonies in order to
avert any form of opposition. Germany was also determined to expand its territory. The allied
powers on the other hand had less racist, expansive and intolerant approach to nationalism. They
only fought against foreign aggression into their territories.
Nationalism was used to mobilize the citizens to fight against foreign values and
aggression. Citizens were advised against embracing foreign ideologies and values in order to
maintain the sovereignty and independence of their countries. The soldiers during the war also
fought with patriotism for their nations. Nationalism was also used to justify authoritarianism,
citizens were required to obey or pay allegiance to the leadership of the state. Opposition was
seen as an anti-nationalism movement. They were not also to emulate other democracies as that
was also considered to be against the independence of the nation.
Fascism
Fascism originated in Italy and can be defined as government system or movement led by
a dictator that suppressed all opposition and criticism, controls all industry and commerce
(Trotsky, 1944). The movement emphasized on nationalism and often racism (Paxton, 1998).
Authoritarian regimes on the other hand were also a form of dictatorship but it only suppressed
opposition. These regimes gave their citizens freedom in exchange for passive support and
obedience. Authoritarian states unlike the fascist states were not territorial expansionist or anti-
communists. They also did not possess a highly developed leadership cult (Shubert & Goldstein,
2012). Thus it can be said that both Authoritarian and fascist states were led by dictators but the
fascists states possessed extreme dictatorship that went beyond their state borders.
Before the First World War they were revolutionary movements in Europe and after the
war people demanded to be given equal rights therefore most countries embraced democracy.
However, most countries resorted to dictatorship soon afterwards. This was because of the great
depression and hyperinflation caused by the effects of the war. Fascism that was experienced in
Italy and Germany driven by the fact that leaders in this country wanted to maintain a status quo
in their country and even outside their country. They wanted to control all the resources and
activities in their states and those of other states in order ensure economic growth and stability in
their country. This is why they adopted extreme dictatorship and expansionist approaches. The
fascist welded a lot of power and suppressed any form of opposition to the state. The workers
unions were crushed and the fascist were backed by the wealthy citizens. An average citizen who
was now powerless had no option but accept fascism.
















Works Cited
Hobsbawm, E. J. (1990). Nations and Nationalism Since 1780. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press.
Paxton, R. O. (1998). The five stages of fascism. The journal of modern history. 70 (1), 1-23.
Retrieved from JSTOR
Shubert, A. & Goldstein, R.J. (2012). Twentieth-century Europe. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint
Education, Inc.
Trotsky, L. (1944). Fascism what it is and how to fight it. Retrieved August 25, 2013 from
http://history.eserver.org/fighting-fascism/