Fascism and Totalitarianism – SS1 Government Lesson Note (First Term)

Fascism is an ideology based on force and total obedience to authority, while totalitarianism is a form of government in which the state has absolute control over persons, ideas and property.

Behavioural objectives

1. Define fascism, totalitarianism and Nazism.
2. State the features of fascism.
3. State the features of totalitarianism.
4. State the features of Nazism.
5. Give examples of totalitarian governments.
6. Distinguish between totalitarianism and democracy.

What is fascism?

Fascism is an ideology based on force and total obedience to authority.

• Nature: a philosophy and organisation of aggressive nationalist, anti-communist dictatorship.
• Origin: it began in Italy under Benito Mussolini.
• Period: Mussolini came to power in 1922 and his rule ended in 1943.
• Beliefs: it rejects peace, democracy and the rule of law, and it glorifies war.
• Economy: it rejects both capitalism and socialism.

What are the features of fascism?

1. Aggressive nationalism: the nation is placed above everything else.
2. Supreme leader: the leader is respected and even worshipped.
3. Leader makes the laws: rights and authority are said to come from him.
4. No opposition: any opposition is destroyed by force.
5. Total state control: the state controls all aspects of a citizen’s life, such as religion and education.
6. Limited participation: politics is reserved for the elite, while the majority are excluded.
7. Glorification of war: war is praised as a way to national greatness.
8. State above religion: the state is placed above popular views and religion.

What is totalitarianism?

Totalitarianism is a form of government in which the government has absolute control of persons, ideas and property.

• Link to authoritarianism: it is an extreme form of authoritarian rule.
• One party: only one political party is allowed to exist and control the state.
• Citizens: they are treated as the property of the state.
• Media and laws: they exist to serve the government.
• Rights: citizens must obey the rulers at the expense of their fundamental human rights.

What are the features of totalitarianism?

1. Supreme authority: one authority controls everything.
2. One dominant party: it controls the state and allows no opposition.
3. Force and brutality: they are used to rule the masses.
4. No rule of law: autocratic rule leads to the absence of the rule of law.
5. Controlled media: the government controls newspapers, radio and television.
6. Single ideology: only one philosophy is taught and accepted.

What are examples of totalitarian governments?

• Fascist Italy: ruled by Benito Mussolini.
• Nazi Germany: ruled by Adolf Hitler.
• Soviet Union: ruled by Joseph Stalin.

What is Nazism?

Nazism is a type of totalitarianism practised in Germany under Adolf Hitler between 1933 and 1945.

• Racial belief: it holds that the German race is superior to other races.
• Nation: it sees the nation as one body based on unity of blood.
• Individual: the individual exists to serve the nation and the leader.
• State power: the state controls the activities and personal liberties of citizens.
• Leadership: the leader is always right.

What are the features of Nazism?

1. Powerful leader: the leader is always right and controls all powers of government.
2. One party: the Nazi party was the only party.
3. Party and government joined: party leaders automatically became government leaders.
4. Controlled media: the government owned and controlled the mass media.
5. No opposition: labour unions and other pressure groups were prohibited.
6. Central economy: the government controlled the economy centrally.
7. No rights: the rule of law and fundamental human rights were not recognised.
8. Brutality: force was used to oppress the people.

What is the difference between fascism and Nazism?

Fascism is the Italian form of dictatorship under Mussolini, while Nazism is the German form under Hitler.

What is the difference between totalitarianism and democracy?

Democracy is a system of government in which the people choose their rulers through free elections.

Evaluation

1. Define fascism.
2. State four features of fascism.
3. What is totalitarianism? Give two examples of totalitarian governments.
4. Mention four features of totalitarianism.
5. Who led Germany during the Nazi period, and between which years?

Assignment

List five features of Nazism and state two features it shares with fascism.