Fascism, Nazism and the Holocaust

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Fascism, Nazism and the Holocaust: Autonomy and Responsibilty

During the period following World War I, the world was in a state of turmoil, politically and economically. Due to this tension, many people began to turn to radical groups throughout Europe. Citizens conceptualized their sense of rights and duties to the power of such leaders as Benito Mussolini in Italy and Adolf Hitler in Germany. During the time from 1919 to 1940, several events occurred that impacted the European citizens sense of autonomy and responsibility, including the introduction of fascism, the rise of the Nazi party, and the most dramatic and drastic, the Jewish Holocaust. All of these impacted citizens at the time, as well as impacted the future of their countries and the world.

In 1919, Benito Mussolini introduced the concept of fascism to the citizens of Italy. Because Italy was in such a state of disorganization and division, the citizens began to give up their rights and responsibilities and give in to the authoritative power of Mussolini. Mussoliniís concept of fascism offered the citizens a means of bringing the Italian society back into a world power. Many local governments were not working and Italy was hurting, politically and economically. The only other political option offered to people was the left-wing communists, which was also in a state of chaos. Therefore, the people, in their state of confusion, turned to the power of Mussolini for the answers to their problems.

Fascism usually focuses on the authoritative power of one dictator, who in Italy was Benito Mussolini. All rights and responsibilities of the individual, all concepts of liberalism and an autonomous democracy were rejected and power was instead transferred ...

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...ization, 396.

5 Adolf Hitler, The Jewish Peril in Rogers, Aspects of Western Civilization, 397.

6 Joseph Goebbels, The Jews Are to Blame! in Rogers, 405.

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Bibliography

- Friedlander, Saul. Nazi Germany and the Jews: Volume 1, The Years of Persecution,

1933-1939. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997.

This book describes the existence of Germany during the period from 1933-1939. It discusses in depth the rise of Adolf Hitler into power. It talks of Hitler's reign over all of Europe, taking power over Paris, Warsaw, Berlin and Vienna as he desires to rid the world of all Jewish people. Friedlander also discusses Hitler's extermination of the Jewish people throughout Europe at concentration camps, such as Auschwitz.

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