Historical Origins and Development
  • Emergence in Italy (1919–1922)Fascism first appeared in Italy after World War I. Economic instability, fear of socialism, and dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Versailles fueled Benito Mussolini’s rise. Mussolini established the National Fascist Party in 1921 and seized power in 1922 after the “March on Rome.”Rise of Nazism in Germany (1933–1945)Adolf Hitler adapted fascism into Nazism, emphasizing Aryan racial supremacy and anti-Semitism. The Treaty of Versailles, economic depression, and widespread unemployment created fertile ground for Nazi ideology. Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, transforming Germany into a totalitarian state.Global SpreadFascism inspired similar movements worldwide, including Francisco Franco’s regime in Spain, António Salazar’s Portugal, and movements in Japan and South America. Each adopted fascist principles, tailoring them to local contexts.