Communism, Fascism, and Nazism

Instructions Attached Separately

Please respond to each of the following posts, #1 & #2 (at least 100 words for each response). Each response should be substantive and add something to the discussion, rather than simply restating or agreeing or disagreeing with something the original writer has written.

Post #1:  

Communism and fascism have many similarities and many differences. Communism is defined by the Oxford dictionary as "a political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their ability and needs." In plain terms, this form of government is a very government-centralized community where the government controls everything from the property people live and work in to the goods and services people use and buy. This means there is very little freedom. Nothing can be made, published, or used without the government’s permission since everything must be filtered through said government. An individual must do, work, and live as the government proposes. On the other hand, Fascism is defined by Merriam-Webster as, "a political philosophy, movement, or regime, that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government lead by dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible oppression of opposition. Basically, fascism is similar to communism however much more severe. Its more strict and punishes more harshly if the people oppose the governments decisions, regulations, or laws. The main difference between communism and fascism though, is that communism is a bit more for the people, as it states its goals are to provide for the citizens and create still a centralized government system but that aims to help people best (as they see fit). Whereas fascism is more focused on whatever it takes to better the nation itself, regardless of the outcome of the people. In a simple sense, communism is portrayed as we want to control the nation for your betterment and fascism is portrayed as we want you to work for the betterment of the nation and provide to make our nation better.

Post #2:

After World War 1 many European countries established democratic governments, yet in the 1920s and 1930s, more Europeans were drawn to radical and extremist political movements. Some of these movements gained control of states and created authoritarian regimes such as the Communist Soviet Union, Fascist Italy, and Nazi Germany. Europeans began to lose faith in democracy and traditional liberal and conservative parties, because the people once again fell into poverty and experienced inequality, exploitation, and misery. “Democracy in France and Great Britain stumbled and the countries were plagued by riots, governmental instability, and an inability to solve mounting economic and international problems,” (Smith, p 205), as democracy was blamed for these events. This created an open door for radicalism to enter. The Great Depression of 1929 further showed that democracy was a failure as people in the United States, seen as the “beacon of democracy” lost their jobs, their homes, and lived hungry, destitute lives. The depression in the USA had ripple effects around the world causing mass job loss, homelessness, and starvation.  Enter Communism, Fascism, and Nazism. These movements were seen as an alternative to failing democracy and were presented by charismatic leaders like Stalin, Mussolini, and Hitler as the salvation of the people. This seemed to be a splendid alternative to democracy and was generally embraced by the masses. The leaders in the respective countries claimed to attempt to unite the people for the good of the masses or the state. What people did not realize was that these movements would become extremist, violent, hateful, and oppressive. The general population rallied to these new saviors and saw these movements as a rescue from traditional liberal and conservative parties, which they believed had failed them. Little did the masses know that these leaders would become sinister dictators, who used cunning communication and control, coupled with vehement violence to legitimize their own maniacal schemes. As stated by Hitler in Mein Kampf, “The whole art consists in doing this (brainwashing through propaganda) so skillfully that everyone will be convinced that the fact is real” (Document 4.4, p 178). These dictators succeeded and led the people down a path of further oppression, poverty, exploitation, and devastation possibly far exceeding the failing democratic governments from which they believed they were being rescued.