why did fascism become a powerful force in Europe after WW1??

Question

and why did Nazism become popular in Germany?

Answer 1

There were many reasons for this, but to briefly summarize:

The economic hardships of the postwar era contributed to great public discontent. Unemployment, inflation, the burdens imposed by the financial cost of the just-completed war, all of these things made for very difficult life, and people looked to a quick government solution for their ills. Also, many people were disillusioned with democratic government, and at the same time were frightened by the specter of communism raised by the successful revolution in Russia. In such an environment, reaction against the democratic and left governments, with their apparent inability to ease economic burdens and promise national security, led to the rise of a new form of right-wing dynamism---fascism.

The word "fascism" derived from the "fasces", an axe bound by sticks, that was a symbol of power in ancient Rome. It symbolized the popular support of power; brute strength alone as a form of government. Mussolini adopted the name and symbol as his own, and this was also the label applied to German National Socialism, which had similar goals and like values.

Sorry to be so brief; this is the best I can do in limited space.

Answer 2

Following the 1918 Armistice that ended WW1, Germany (known then as the Weimar Republic) was isolated diplomatically and economically from the rest of Europe. Germany was forbidden from joining the League of Nations, a fact which isolated them diplomatically from the rest of the major powers. Germany had to pay major reparations for their defeat, and in addition, was forbidden from rebuilding their major industries, even for peaceful reasons. Their money was made worthless by hyper-inflation and most of the country was unemployed and in poverty.

Furthermore, the US lacked the political will to lead the allies in Germany's post-war recovery, and temper their demands for steep reparations. Germans were desperate for a leader that would make them a powerful nation again.

Hitler was an opportunist who took advantage of the people's desperation, and fueled the new nationalism with anti-Semiticism, blaming the Jews for Germany's problems. The Nazi Party rode to victory when Hitler was elected Chancellor in 1932.

In addition, the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin had a hand in facilitating the rise of Hitler. The Soviets were backing the far-left Bolsheviks, hoping to transform Germany into a Soviet-style communist republic. The leftists played a major role in discrediting the more moderate Social Democrats, who could have challenged and defeated the Nazis in the Reichstag (Parliament).

With a weak moderate party, the far-right Nazis played on the fears that Germans had of the pro-Soviet leftists. Hitler blamed the success of the leftists on the Jews, which further reinforced his anti-Semetic propaganda.

Answer 3

People expected life to become less hard after WW1 and when it didn't they lost faith with the old forms of government and turned to leaders who offered hope through a different system.
Nazism was a minor political force in German politics, it was just more visible and noisier than the other parties. Hitler never achieved a majority through the ballot box but used threats of Social unrest to get Hindenberg to appoint him Chancellor. He consolidated his power with the help of the Catholic party and from there went on to suppress political opposition. After that any disagreement was ruthlessly destroyed.

Answer 4

Hitler consolidated power on one side and suppressed the competition on the other. This plus a major depression which loomed make the climate just right not to challenge the only power (the Nazis) getting results and providing hope by it's actions.

Oops!


Glad we have internet now.

Answer 5

It was easy, especially in the case of Germany and Italy, for demagogues to point to the smoldering ruins of their countries and the economic disaster of the worldwide depression and blame their woes on foreigners. Benito Mussolini was the first of the modern dictators. He was the son of a blacksmith who came to power as prime minister of Italy in 1922. He was a bully of a man and he organized WWl vets into a paramilitary group that used gang tactics. Riding the 'anti-communist' fervor in Italy, he was accepted by a people who wanted 'order'. His rise to power was accompanied by the beatings of his opponents and the murder of a key socialist party leader.

Hitler organized his followers into a strongarm gang of Brownshirts, and later into an elite untiformed guard called the SS. In 1930 his National Socialist (Nazi) Party, with its platform of placing blame for Germany's Depression problems on Jews, Marxists, and foreign powers, attracted the masses of unemployed and began to win increasing numbers of seats in Germany's parliament (the Reichstag). Hitler was named Chancellor by an aging President Hindenburg. When the Reichstag was burned and the communists were blamed, Hitler had the incident he needed to grab dictatorial powers and concentrate them under a police state that simply crushed all opposition. Bathed in nationaistic theatrics, bankrolled by militant industrialists, supported by an increasingly powerful army and secret police, and led by a man with an uncanny ability to captivate and enthrall his country with pomp and jingoism, Hitler was the essence of the Fascist leader.

Hope this answers both of your questions.

Answer 6

National socialists and people love to hate people and it's always someone else's fault and gun control and how would I know?

Answer 7

becasue they made a word for it.......

and you know how it is.... everyone wants to jump on the band wagon....