The Rise of Fascism: History, Documents, and Key Questions

Description

This book is a valuable resource for understanding the character, development, and consequences of fascist dictatorships. Approximately 60 million lives were taken during World War II. This book serves to explore the ultimate cause of it―fascism―and to educate readers on the history and motivation behind this complex political movement. This historical exploration includes many helpful educational tools, including a timeline, an encyclopedia, and excerpts from primary source documents. Using primary document sources, the author provides a direct account of the origin and evolution of fascism. This text analyzes the rise of fascism in Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain from 1919 through 1945. Readers in high school and college will not only learn the facts surrounding World War II but also understand the cultural environment and events that led up to the devastation of the Holocaust. This text is crucial for educating students about the beginnings and extension of the fascist movement in Europe in the early 20th century. Analyzes the rise of fascism in different countries and settings Serves as an ideal reference for high school students and undergraduates Includes original argumentative essays that investigate some of the enduring issues surrounding fascism Examines excerpts from primary source documents Provides a timeline that serves as a quick reference tool for students Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page Contents Alphabetical List of Entries Topical List of Entries How to Use This Book Preface Timeline Historical Overview (1919–1945) Fascism: A to Z Primary Documents “The Futurist Manifesto ”Written by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti Clarification Speech Benito Mussolini “Fascism: Doctrine and Institutions ”Written by Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Gentile The Twenty-Six-Point Program of the Falange Espanola The Greater Britain Written by Sir Oswald Mosley, Leader of the British Union of Fascists Program of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party Closing Speech from the Trial of Adolf Hitler The “Enabling Law ” The “Nuremburg Laws ”Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honor Passed September 15, 1935 The “Hossbach Memorandum”Notes Taken by Colonel Friedrich Hossbach at a Meeting of the Nazi High Command The Pact of Friendship and Alliance Between Italy and Germany or the “Pact of Steel” Memorandum Written by Colonel-General Johannes Blaskowitz, Commander of the Ober-Ost Military Region, Poland Notes from the Wannsee Conference Testimony of Rudolf Hoess at the Nuremburg Trials Key Questions Question 1: Was Fascism Primarily a Modernizing, Revolutionary Movement, or Did It Represent a Violent Reaction Against the Process of Modernization and Revolutionary Change? Question 2: Were Racism and Anti-Semitism an Essential Part of Fascist Ideology or Were Such Priorities Restricted to a Few Particular Cases? Question 3: Was Fascist Ideology Based upon Military Conquest and Expansion, or Did Fascists Equally Advocate Withdrawal and National Insulation? Selected Annotated Bibliography Index About the Editor and Contributors