European Fascism 1918-45

Question 1

Where does the word fascism come from?

Answer 1

Italian word fascio (bundle or union)

Question 2

What does fascism entail? (3)

Answer 2

Creation of a new nationalist authoritarian state not based on traditional models.
New highly regulated, multiclass, integrated national economic structure.
Empire and expansion or radical change in nation’s relationship with other powers.

Question 3

What are the negations of fascism? (3)

Answer 3

Liberalism
Communism
Conservatism

Question 4

What are the key principles of fascism? (3)

Answer 4

Mass mobilisation with militarisation.
Masculinity and organic view of society.
Authoritarianism, charisma, personalisation of command.

Question 5

What are the origins of fascism? (5)

Answer 5

Darwin
Nietzsche
Le Bon
Futurists
Volkisch ideas

Question 6

How has modernity affected fascism?

Answer 6

Notion of the ‘nation state’

Question 7

Who was the leader of the Italian fascist movement?

Answer 7

Benito Mussolini

Question 8

What did the Fascio di Combattimento advocate for? (5)

Answer 8

Nationalism.
Republicanism.
Anticlericalism.
Female suffrage.
Social reform.

Question 9

How many members did the PNF have by 1923?

Answer 9

250,000

Question 10

What year was Mussolini named PM (after the March on Rome)?

Answer 10

1922

Question 11

How did Mussolini adopt fascism? (3)

Answer 11

Changed electoral law.
Murder of socialist spokesman (Giacomo Matteotti).
Freedom of press and democratic elections of local govts banned.

Question 12

Expansionist policies in Italy (1930s)?

Answer 12

Abyssinia
France

Question 13

What did Hitler focus on?

Answer 13

Lebensraum

Question 14

What motivated the fascism movement in Germany?

Answer 14

Treaty of Versailles

Question 15

When did Hitler become Chancellor of Germany?

Answer 15

1933

Question 16

What global event gave the fascism movement a boost?

Answer 16

1929 Wall Street Crash

Question 17

Why did the Hungarian fascist movement become relatively successful? (4)

Answer 17

Territorial losses in WWI.
1919 experience of communism.
High middle class unemployment.
Strong antisemitism.

Question 18

Who was the semi-fascist leader of Hungary?

Answer 18

Nicholas Horthy

Question 19

Why did ‘fascism’ in Spain not catch on until WW2?

Answer 19

Success of left.
Weak nationalism belief.

Question 20

Who was Corneliu Zelea Codreanu?

Answer 20

Leader of the Romanian fascist movement.
Founder of the Legion of the Archangel Michael which went on to support Hitler and Mussolini.

Question 21

How many members did the Iron Guard have by 1937?

Answer 21

200,000

Question 22

Who halted the Iron Guard in 1938?

Answer 22

King Carol II

Question 23

Were there more democratic or authoritarian regimes by WWII?

Answer 23

Authoritarian

Question 24

Why were successful fascist regimes still the exception? (4)

Answer 24

Deep roots of liberal democracy.
Higher standard of living.
Broader diffusion of property.
Greater economic security.

Question 25

Why did fascism never go far in France? (4)

Answer 25

Victor status in WWI.
Well-established nation state.
Prosperous.
Imperial power.

Question 26

Why was Britain particularly well protected when it came to fascism? (5)

Answer 26

No problem with nationalism.
Prosperous.
Economically developed.
Well educated population.
Modern political culture with constitutional parliamentary tradition.

Question 27

Who founded the British Union of Fascists and when?

Answer 27

Oswald Mosley in 1932

Question 28

What did Mosley advocate for?

Answer 28

‘peace and prosperity’

Question 29

Why did the British people frown upon Mosley and his fascists?

Answer 29

The violence at the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.