Several countries have witnessed fascist regimes: Italy, Germany and Spain are the most well known. What are some others that would also be classified as fascist states? Were Pinochet and Suharto fascists? While there is no clear definition of fascism, all fascist states, like communist and democratic ones, share common characteristics. What are some of these characteristics and which ones played a dominant role in the different regimes? Hitler focused on racism and Aryan supremacy more than other regimes. What did Mussolini and Franco focus on?
The most notorious dictator in modern history, Adolf Hitler, could not have risen to power without help. What were some of the tools and methods he used to gain power? He was a master manipulator. How did he use the mass media, mass rallies and the idea of rebirth, some of the common fascist tools, to gain and hold power? His regime was more racist than other fascist regimes. What were the roots of his racist policies and how did he use racism in his rise to power? How did his policies lead him to war and what role did they play in his defeat? Was the Holocaust an inevitable effect of Hitler's form of fascism?
The defeat of the fascist powers in WW2 did not end fascism. Fascist parties are still popular in many countries, especially in Europe, despite the first-hand destruction many of these countries witnessed at the hands of fascism. All these parties share a far-right wing ideology --- racist, nationalist, anti-democracy and anti-communist beliefs. In which countries are these parties found and why? Why are they still able to win votes, who votes for them and what are the policies that make them popular? What are the similarities and differences between pre- and post-war fascism?
Communism has been a sworn enemy to many fascist regimes, especially Hitler's, Mussolini's and Franco's, but the two ideologies have many similarities. Both systems were highly militaristic; the army receives many of the state's resources, there was mandatory service, both were imperialistic and their societies were run in a militaristic fashion. They were also similar in how they: viewed and treated intellectuals; used secret police to intimidate, spy on and murder citizens; controlled and used mass media; used the facade of democracy; and were plagued by cronyism. Another similarity was the "cult of personality." Why and how were the specific leaders so important, perhaps moreso than the system? What were some of the fundamental differences between the two? Look at the the roles of nationalism, religion and racism.