The Rise and Legacy of Fascism

This chapter examines the historical emergence of fascism in the 1920s, focusing on leaders like Mussolini, Franco, and Hitler during societal upheaval after World War I and the Great Depression. It highlights the strategic political maneuvers and the public's receptiveness to fascism's promises of national pride and economic recovery, alongside the contrasting approaches of democracies. The discussion further explores the rhetoric of fascism in modern political discourse, analyzing the implications of labeling contemporary figures as fascists in light of their distinct historical contexts.