Difference Between Fascism and Nazism

Fascism vs.Nazism

Fascism and Nazism are quite often considered to be the same or at least refer to the same ideologies. However, the two are entirely dissimilar from each other. This is despite the fact that they are both totalitarian ideologies, are closely related in design, and both sprung up after the First World War in Europe.

This post seeks to prove that Fascism and Nazism may not be the same at any time. Read through for insights, possible similarities, and differences between them.

What is Fascism?

Fascism is defined as a form of radical authoritarian, strict, and controlling ultra-nationalism that is usually characterized by forcibly suppressing an opposition front, assuming dictatorial powers, and strongly regimenting the society and its economy.

Fascism sprung to popularity around in the early 20th century during the time of Benito Mussolini. Benito was then Italian leader by the time the ideology was born (around 1919). The ultimate intention of the campaign was to create a close national community especially in Italy and form an all-powerful and authoritarian state that could intervene in people’s lives everywhere.

Features of Fascists

The ideology of fascism was championed by people referred to as fascists led by Benito Mussolini and were characterized by:

• Glorified violence
• Strong collectivists
• Anti-democratic
• Anti-liberals
• Anti-communists

What is Nazism?

Nazism is a political ideology that arose in Germany and was parallel with Benito Mussolini’s fascism. Also referred to as National Socialism, Nazism was championed by one Adolf Hitler who is famously known as the worlds ever strong dictator who led to the death of over 20 million people and the 2nd World War during his time.

The name Nazism is derived from Adolf Hitler’s political party, the Nazi Party. The ideologies started gaining momentum in the 1920s and were based on antisemitism and biological racism.

Adolf Hitler is documented to have initiated it in a move to remove or do away with the Jews who were living in Germany then. This saw about six million Jews, Gypsies, Slavs, and other victims get killed in what is now called The Holocaust.

Features of Nazism

Nazism was characterized by extreme:

• Nationalism
• Dictatorship
• Racism
• Expansionism
• Religious and racial expulsion
• Antisemitism

Possible Similarities Between Fascism and Nazism

Despite the two ideologies springing up in different countries and led by different figures, they had striking similarities. Both Fascism and Nazism:

• Were dictatorial and anti-democratic.
• Were immensely anti-communist and both managed to draw solid support from all classes as a result.
• Both tried to organize totalitarian states where the state could control the way of life of its people and curtail their personal freedom, agriculture, the economy, and industries.
• Both tried to make their countries self-sufficient.
• Both tried restoring the national pride their countries had lost after the First World War.
• Both pushed for colonial expansion where they sought to increase their colonies in Asia, Europe, and Africa.

Difference Between Fascism and Nazism

The two ideologies are closely related and began around the same time. However, they have the following differences between them:

Fascism originated in Italy in 1919 led by Benito Mussolini while Nazism sprung in German in 1920. The later was led by Adolf Hitler, the then leader of the Nazi party where the name Nazism is derived from.

Most of the ideologies of the two are closely related. However, while Nazism extolled the purity of the blood and race of the Aryan people to show proof of ‘white superiority”, Fascism did not have such racial ideologies.

Nazism saw the death of people in the millions while the number was smaller under Fascism. Benito’s administration saw atrocities in the thousands.

Fascism let much of the Italian culture survive under it. Benito’s administration never applied official doctrines to purge arts, literature, and universities except when it wanted to control its opponents. As such, most of Italy’s most prolific writers and artists remained in the country.

Nazism, on the other hand, forced German artists and writers into exile or silence. Once, the administration had a big book burning event that deemed the cultural libraries useless. The European sculptures, paintings, and other arts were confiscated, sold, destroyed, taken to the Exhibition of Decadent Art, or hidden in Nazi’s private collections.

Nazism had a greater ideological penetration which meant it was deep-rooted, broader, and much stronger. Fascism, on the other hand, had less expansive ideologies which meant it was not as broader as Adolf’s Nazism.

Hitler’s Nazism was more successful in its atrocities based on religion while Fascism had less interest in segregating people based on religious stands.

Fascism Vs. Nazism: Comparison Table

Summary of Fascism Vs. Nazism

Both Fascism and Nazism were ideological fronts championed by dictatorial, anti-democratic, anti-communist, and totalitarian leaders. They both sprung at around the same time, in 1919 and 1920 respectively. In the wake of the Second World War, the two ideologies are heavily associated with atrocities that led to the war. They are also both remembered for causing massive loss of lives and destruction of properties. However, each has distinct characteristics that draw the thin distinction between them.

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