Fascist Allies and Others Flashcards
Allies: The Far Right
Spanish Falange connected with far-right groups with varying ideologies but some common ground (Carlists, Alfonsists, CEDA mainly). Groups shared members, influences and expanded at similar times.
Allies: Conservatives
Chancellor before Hitler, Von Papen, tried to co-opt the success of the NSDAP
DNVP co-operated with Nazis.
Anti-socialist local law enforcement co-operated with Italian Squadristi.
Broad cooperation between french leagues (action franciase, Croix de Feu, Le Faisceau)
Enemies: Anti-Fascism
Communist paramilitaries in Germany (RFB 1924, Fighting Alliance against Fascism 1930) in France (CVIA) and Italy (PSI)
Spain (various factions within Spain + resistance to Franco with 17th International Brigade from all over Europe+America)
Resistance movements such as France (fought against Vichy gov, tried to disrupt war infrastructure, gave intelligence to allies, helped escaped POWs), Germany (White Rose students) and Italy (CLNAI uprising 1944)
Electoral resistance, Popular Front left-wing alliance during interwar years in France, PSI+PCI became pacifist in Italy, Weimar Republic Germany arguably an enemy of sorts.
Enemies: Religion
Religious identity clashed with attempted national identity
In Germany: Catholics in general supported Centre party. Many Catholics criticised Nazis, including cardinal Faulhaber, specifically related to treatment of Jews. Many were sent to concentration camps. Reichskonkordat 1933 forced bishops to swear loyalty to state. Crucifixes banned in schools, Churches closed down.
In Italy: Initial conflict later deescalated with Lateran Treaty 1929. Vatican used to help allies + escaping PoWs but much less opposition as a whole. Fascist gov accepting they couldn’t defeat Catholicism
Youth groups in ger/ita in part aimed at taking away influence of catholicism on children.
In Spain: Falange + Franco comparatively less antagonistic, more like used Catholicism as justification for ideas.
Austrian + Romanian fascism similar to Spain.
Enemies: Racial Others
Generally only seen from Nazi Germany + in Austria with hatred of Jews (+ slavs/non-Aryans).
Jews specifically were target of propaganda/fear-mongering. Not just an enemy but a political tool, depicted as instigators of capitalism/communism/freemasonry.
Persecuted with 1935 Nuremberg laws, banned intermarriage + citizenry
1938 Night of the long knives in response to shooting, opportunistic but planned violence
Ghettos, death squads, gas vans and concentration camps from 1939ish onwards
Persecution + holocaust shows not just political tool early on but clearly just hated (obvs).
