PI 2004

1
PI 2004

• Fascism
• Lecture 1

2
Fascism

• Ideology with subsets
• National socialism (Nazism)
• (Italian) fascism
• (Spanish) falangism
• et c.
• Definitions of fascism (Heywood p. 217)
• Resistance to transcendence/modernisation (Nolte)
• Total charismatic community (Gregor)
• Palingenetic ultranationalism (Griffin
  palingenesis rebirth
• Holistic-national third way (Eatwell)
• Marxist approach Last line of defence of
  capitalism

3
The history of fascism

• Portugal
• March to Lisbon 1926
• Olivieira Salazar dictator in 1928
• Created new state according to fascist ideas
• Succeeded by Marcelo Cateano in 1968
• Democracy introduced following military coup in
  April 1974

4
Spain

• Second republic proclaimed in 1931
• Extreme right groups merge into the Falangist
  movement in 1934
• Leftist Popular Front wins 1936 election and
  makes the Falangists illegal
• Civil war breaks out in 1936
• War ends in 1939, with Falangist victory
• General Franco dictator until his death in
  November 1975
• Unsuccessful fascist coup in 1981

5
Spanish and Portuguese fascism were distinctive
from core fascism

• Neither country played active part in WWII
• Only Portugal took (minor) part in WWI
• At least in Spain the regime did not closely
  resemble the core fascist ideology
• Both regimes lasted longer than core fascist
  regimes in Italy and Germany
• Extreme right parties have had little impact
  since the fall of the fascist regimes

6
Italy (1)

• Benito Mussolini (Il Duce). Former socialist
  activist, allegedly became fascist out of
  disillusionment with socialism
• Fascist party formed 1921. Mussolini leader of
  coalition government following March to Rome,
  October 1922
• Mussolini then marginalised coalition partners.
  Ensure fascist control with, e.g., changes in
  the electoral laws
• Fascist election victory in 1924. Opposition
  parties and candidates could participate, but
  they were intimidated and their campaigns made
  difficult
• There were still opposition members of
  parliament, but when the socialist Matteotti
  questioned the legitimacy of the election result,
  he was kidnapped and murdered by a group of
  fascists
• It has been suspected, but never proved, that
  Mussolini was responsible for the murder
• Relationship between fascist Italy and nazi
  Germany initially not too warm. Italy prevented
  nazi coup in Austria 1934

7
Italy (2)

• Italian fascist regime was violent and
  dictatorial
• Tried to implement corporatist societal model
• but did not gain total control over the state
• The fascist control of the civil service and the
  legal system was never complete
• Fascist regime overthrown following military
  defeats in 1943. Mussolini escaped from prison,
  and led Germany-supported Saló Republic in
  northern Italy. Executed in 1945

8
Germany

• German National Socialist Workers Party (NSDAP)
  formed in 1920
• Unsuccessful beer hall coup in 1923. Attempted
  March to Berlin (cf. March to Rome 1922). 16
  nazis killed Hitler imprisoned. Sentenced to 5
  years in jail served 7 months
• Insignificant support in the 1920s
• Support grows in 1930s depression. 1928 2.8
  1930 18.3 July 1932 37.3 Nov 1932 33
• Weimar Republic deadlocked, impossible to form
  government

9
Germany (2)

• Adolf Hitler becomes chancellor January 1933,
  following long period of political deadlock.
  Leads coalition government
• New election in March 1933. Fire in parliament
  used as reason to restrict communist activity.
  Other parties participate in election, but their
  campaigns are restricted. NSDAP gets 43.9. Forms
  coalition with conservative German Nationalist
  Party
• Outmanoeuvres coalition partner and introduces
  dictatorship
• NSDAP was split. SA was dominated by a
  left-wingers, but this faction was brutally
  purged in the Night of the Long Knives, June
  1934

10
Germany (3)

• Nazi grip on the German state was total
• All sectors of German society controlled by the
  nazis.
• Economy, civil service, legal system etc., under
  total control. Contrast to Italy
• Only possible exception was parts of the
  religious community
• The Nazi Third Reich lasted 1933-1945

11
Austria two fascist movements

• National Socialists Austrian branch of German
  NSDAP
• Heimwehr (Austro Fascists) catholic
  authoritarian movement, wanting to recreate old
  Habsburg empire. In power from 1932, dictatorship
  from 1933
• These two movements fought each other
• Failed National Socialist coup in 1934.
  Chancellor (Dollfuss) murdered. Coup supported by
  Germany, but thwarted when Italy mobilise on
  Austrian border

12
Austria (2)

• Austro Fascist regime was dictatorial, but not
  unanimously regarded as fascist
• Label 'Austro Fascism' not universally accepted
• John Rath and Carolyn Schum, in the book "Who
  were the Fascists, argue that it was more an
  authoritarian regime and not quite an outright
  fascist one. Not anti-semitic
• Austro Fascist governments were not based on
  new movements, which overthrew the existing
  order. Rather, they defended the existing order
  against threats from the right as well as the
  left
• They used dictatorial means, not to gain power,
  but to maintain power
• The leaders came from the Christian Socialist
  Party, which had dominated Austrian politics
  since 1920
• Austro Fascist regime ended in March 1938.
  National Socialists took over, following
  Anschluss

13
Eastern Europe

• Hungary Arrow Cross movement, led by Ferenc
  Szalasi. Briefly in power, due to German
  influence, 1944
• Romania Iron Guard movement, led by Corneliu
  Codreanu (died 1938 following clampdown by King
  Carol). Succeeded by Horia Sima. Iron Guard in
  government, due to German influence, in 1940-41
  but then disappeared

14
Western Europe

• Belgium Rexist Party (French speaking Wallonia)
  Verdinaso (Flemish/Dutch speaking Flanders)
• Netherlands NSB (National Socialist Movement)
• France Croix de Feu (Cross of Fire) PPF (Parti
  Populaire Français) Jacques Doriot
• Britain British Union of Fascist leader Sir
  Oswald Mosley (former Labour minister)

15
Scandinavia

• Norway Nasjonal Samling, leader Vidkun Quisling.
  Formed marionette government during German
  occupation (1940)42-1945
• Denmark DNSAP (Danish National Socialist
  Workers Party), leader Frits Clausen. Held no
  position of power during German occupation
  1940-1945
• Finland Lapua Movement extra-parliamentary
  pressure group. IKL (Patriotic People's Movement)
  political party, succeeding Lapua M
• Sweden Several insignificant parties