Question

I have a question on my homework about the rise of fascism in Germany but I don't know what 'fascism' is and when I google the definition it's really confusing. Can anyone explain it to me?

Answer 1

Basically its like the rise of Adolf Hitler, the one guy in charge of the nation

Answer 2

Essentially a fascist state embodies the extreme ideals of nationalism -- the nation is more important than the individual.

To get there, everyone is basically forced to support it whether they want to or not using whatever methods available to enforce that belief whether it involves forced discipline, physical intimidation, or a ruthless curtailing of people's rights. It's one reason why fascist states tend to be totalitarian dictatorships.

For example, Hitler promised to make Germany great again -- and people bought into it, accepting changes to their society in the belief that it was for the good of the nation. Unions were wiped out, art was destroyed because it didn't fit the Nazi ideal, books were burned, music that wasn't deemed "ideal" was removed from circulation, citizens were tortured and eliminated if they didn't fit into the Third Reich.

It didn't matter what rights you thought you had...the Third Reich decided what to teach you, what youth groups you could join, songs you could listen to, what stories the press should print, and who to hate. All to promote the ideology of the Nazi ideal and the Third Reich as the "true" Germany. That's fascism.