Extreme right-wing ideology

Similarities Differences (in fascism)

•economic power is subservient to political power•government has almost complete control over the economy

•government ownership and control is focused on military purposes•economic decision were made to benefit members of the ruling party and industrial elite rather than the workers

Fascist economics is appealing to business because it protects wealthy business owners

(their profits) from the threats of communism. The focus on promoting the

elite in society through support for big business only reinforced this.

Corporative economy – capitalism under government control

Totalitarian government – controls all phases of life from cradle to grave

Fanatical – irrational, sentimental; faith versus reason (promoting nationalism through emotion)

Elitism – only a small minority are capable of learning; the leader is infallible

Racism and imperialism – elite is superior and therefore entitled to rule

Cont. …

Denial of human rights – inequality is affirmed as an ideal; major criteria is strength not intellect (men superior to women, soldiers to civilian, victors to vanquished)

Black and white – enemies not just opponents; annihilated not just conquered

Opposition to international law and order – war is an ideal, so international organizations that promote co-operation are opposed

What nations could you classify as being fascist according to this criteria?

What aspects of Canadian democracy either support or directly oppose the

characteristics of communism and fascism?

Political InstabilityDissatisfaction with the Weimar GovernmentFear of Communism

Economic InstabilityFrench invasion of the RhurThe Great Depression

Dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles

Charisma of Hitler First gained the support of the workers

(socialist party) Then turned to wealthy elite who could

finance his campaign

Munich PutschMein Kampf

SA/SS (“Storm Troopers” and secret police)Hitler elected, becomes chancellorReichstag Fire - Article 48 of Weimar Constitution

(like Canada’s War Measures Act)Ends political competition (turn towards dictatorial

power)

Enabling Act (enshrine dictatorial powers for 4 years)

Lebensraum (hegemony of Europe)Anschluss (union with Austria)Rome-Berlin AxisNazi-Soviet Pact

Rebuilding military (remilitarization)Civic works projects (Autoban)Financing programs: use of dummy

corporations and printed bills (Mefo-bills) = pay off debt and finance projects.

use of confiscated Jewish propertyFocus on gaining self-sufficiency (researching

alternative fuels and strangling the economies of Eastern Europe by becoming the primary importer of their goods)

Incentives to big business, banning unions (think

Schindler – capitalism for the “common good” – war effort)

Germany’s war economy was impressively organized in order to maintain the high level of armaments needed during World War Two. State planners organized resources while capitalists were able to keep a profit, giving them incentive to work with the program.

AppeasementBritain did not see Germany as a serious threat

and there was a strong anti-war sentimentFrance was more concerned with defense and

re-building their economyU.S. remained isolationist

Munich Pact – SudetenlandGreat powers agree with the argument of self-

determination for German-speaking people; sacrifice Czech sovereignty for peace

Blame liberalism for Germany’s problemsLiberal nations created the Treaty of VersaillesWeimar Republic signed treaty, created

economic collapseAuthoritarianism in the past had built up the

German nationBismarck, “Blood and Iron”Law and order will restore stability

Nationalism Aryan nationNuremburg Laws

“An important factor to consider in Nazi Germany’s economic system is the fact that, apart from maintaining a relatively free capitalist system in a totalitarian state, the Nazis engaged in a giant game of on-the-spot improvisation, which nonetheless followed a certain amount of national planning For example, the chief problem before the war was how to raise the funds to establish and equip a huge army without unleashing a war prematurely, without bankrupting the country, and without causing the worst inflationary spiral in the world.

At the same time, the war brought Germany more heavily into economic planning. However, the war also forced the Allied countries to resort to greater national economic planning. It is tempting to speculate how the Nazi economy might have operated in the absence of war. However, militarism and rearmament were so central tot he Nazi ideology that perhaps the question is not, in the end, very relevant.”