Fascism, as a political ideology, dominated many parts of the world in the early to mid-20th century. Understanding a fascist definition requires looking beyond a singular, monolithic entity and exploring its diverse national manifestations. While sharing core tenets, fascist movements adapted to unique historical, cultural, and social contexts in different countries. This article delves into the definition of fascism and examines various national fascisms that arose between 1922 and 1945.
To understand “What Is A Fascists Definition”, we first need to grasp the basic principles of fascism itself. At its heart, fascism is a far-right, authoritarian ultranationalist political ideology characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong regimentation of society and the economy. Fascism places the nation above all else, advocating for a centralized autocratic government led by a dictatorial leader, often employing aggressive nationalism and imperialism.
Adolf Hitler leading a Nazi parade in Munich, Germany, showcasing a key figure in national socialism.
The most well-known examples of fascist regimes include the National Fascist Party in Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, and the Nazi Party in Germany, under Adolf Hitler. Mussolini’s Fascism emphasized state control and corporatism, while Hitler’s National Socialism added a virulent strain of racism and antisemitism to the fascist ideology. These movements, while distinct, both embody core aspects of a fascist definition: extreme nationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of individual liberties for the perceived good of the nation.
Beyond Italy and Germany, fascist movements emerged across Europe and beyond, each adapting the core fascist tenets to their national identity and political landscape. In Austria, the Fatherland Front, led by Engelbert Dollfuss, established an authoritarian regime with fascist characteristics, supported by the Heimwehr militia. Portugal’s National Union, under António de Oliveira Salazar, evolved into a fascist state after 1936, prioritizing corporatism and national conservatism. Greece saw the rise of the Party of Free Believers under Ioannis Metaxas, establishing a dictatorial regime with fascist leanings.
In Eastern Europe, examples of national fascisms also took root. The Ustaša in Croatia, led by Ante Pavelić, was a particularly brutal fascist movement known for its extreme nationalism and violence. Vidkun Quisling’s National Union in Norway briefly held power and later collaborated with the German occupation, highlighting the opportunistic nature of some national fascist movements. Even in Japan, the military dictatorship of Admiral Tojo Hideki shared characteristics with fascism, particularly in its ultranationalism and aggressive expansionism.
José Antonio Primo de Rivera, founder of the Falange, representing Spanish fascist ideals that influenced Franco’s regime.
Spain’s Falange, founded by José Antonio Primo de Rivera, while never fully seizing power independently, significantly influenced Francisco Franco’s military dictatorship. Franco’s regime, while often categorized as authoritarian conservative, adopted many fascist traits, particularly in its nationalism and suppression of dissent. In Poland, the anti-Semitic Falanga, though influential, failed to overthrow the existing conservative government. Similarly, in Finland, the Lapua Movement’s attempted coup in 1932 was thwarted by conservative forces, indicating the complex interplay between fascism and traditional conservatism in different national contexts.
Hungary’s Arrow Cross Party, led by Ferenc Szálasi, was initially suppressed by the conservative regime of Miklós Horthy before rising to power as a puppet government under German occupation. In Romania, the Iron Guard, under Corneliu Codreanu, was a significant fascist movement characterized by its extreme nationalism and Orthodox Christian mysticism, though it was ultimately crushed by Romanian conservatives after a brief period of power-sharing.
France also witnessed the growth of various fascist and far-right movements. The Croix de Feu, later the French Social Party, led by François de La Rocque, became a major political force in the 1930s, demonstrating the appeal of right-wing nationalism in France. Other French fascist groups included the Faisceau, Young Patriots, French Solidarity, Franks, French Popular Party, and French Action. Following the German invasion, many French fascists collaborated with the Vichy regime under Philippe Pétain.
Oswald Mosley addressing a British Union of Fascists rally in London, highlighting the presence of fascism even in democratic nations.
Even in countries with strong democratic traditions, fascist movements emerged. The British Union of Fascists, led by Oswald Mosley, gained a considerable following in the UK. In Belgium, the Rexist Party, led by Léon Degrelle, achieved parliamentary representation, indicating the widespread appeal of fascist ideas across Europe. Russian fascist organizations, formed by exiles in Manchuria and the United States, further illustrate the global reach of this ideology.
Beyond Europe, fascism found adherents in various parts of the world. In South Africa, several fascist groups emerged, reflecting the racial and nationalistic tensions of the time. In the Middle East, Arab “shirt” movements, inspired by European fascism, gained traction, often intertwined with anti-colonial sentiments. In Japan, protofascist and fascist movements contributed to the growing influence of the military and ultranationalist ideologies. In China, following the Mukden Incident, the Blue Shirts, a fascist-oriented group, allied with Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang, demonstrating the diverse political contexts in which fascist ideas could be adopted and adapted.
Latin America also saw the rise of fascist imitators, such as the Nacis in Chile, Gold Shirts in Mexico, and the Revolutionary Union in Peru. Brazil’s Integralist Action party, a significant fascist movement, was eventually suppressed, highlighting the varying levels of success and suppression fascist movements faced globally. Even in the United States, groups like the Ku Klux Klan and its offshoots, alongside figures like Charles E. Coughlin and organizations like the German-American Bund, exhibited fascist characteristics, showcasing the ideology’s presence even in the Americas.
In conclusion, defining fascism requires acknowledging both its core principles and its diverse national expressions. While sharing common features like ultranationalism, authoritarianism, and the suppression of opposition, national fascisms were shaped by unique historical, cultural, and political contexts. Understanding “what is a fascists definition” necessitates examining these varied manifestations across the globe, recognizing fascism not as a monolithic entity, but as a family of related ideologies that rose to prominence in a turbulent period of global history.
