What was fascism during WWII?
Fascism during WWII refers to the ideology, system of government, and political movement that was prominent in several countries, most notably Italy and Germany, during the Second World War. Fascism emerged as a response to the political, economic, and social turmoil following World War I. It was characterized by dictatorial power, strong nationalism, authoritarian control, and supremacy of the state over individuals.
Under fascism, the government had total control over all aspects of society, including the economy, media, education, and individual liberties. It emphasized the idea of a strong leader who symbolized the nation and views of the ruling party. Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany were two prominent fascist leaders during this period.
Fascist regimes pursued aggressive expansionist policies, aiming to regain and expand their national territories. Hitler's Nazi Germany, in particular, sought to establish dominance across Europe, leading to the outbreak of the war. Fascist governments also promoted racial purity and anti-Semitic ideologies, which led to the persecution, discrimination, and ultimately, the genocide of millions of individuals, particularly Jews, during the Holocaust.
The defeat of fascist powers in WWII marked the decline of fascism as a dominant political force. The atrocities committed by these regimes led to a global recognition of the dangers associated with such ideologies, making fascism widely condemned and discredited in the post-war era.