FIND OUT MORE. World War I 426–427 • World War II 432–433
The Swastika
was an ancient symbol
that the Nazis used to
represent the “master race”
of the “Aryan” peoplesFascism
In 1922 a political movement called fascism grew up in
Italy. It took its name from the fasces, an axe emblem
that symbolized state power in Ancient Rome. Fascists
believed in the authority of the state. Extremely
nationalistic, they opposed democracy and communism.
WHO WERE THE NAZIS?
Germany’s National Socialists were known as Nazis.
Their leader was Adolf Hitler. During the 1930s he
provided work for the unemployed and built up
Germany’s forces illegally. Nazi thugs bullied, cheated,
and murdered their way to power. They were extreme
racists, consumed by hatred of the Jewish people.WHO JOINED THE WAR?
Franco was backed by fascist Italy and Nazi Germany.
Government forces received help from the Soviet
Union and were backed by anti-fascist volunteers
from all over Europe and America. Many of these
young idealists died fighting for Republican
International Brigades. But the Republic fell, and
Franco ruled Spain as dictator until his death in 1975.WERE THERE FASCISTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES?
Fascism found supporters in many Western nations. It
attracted people who were more worried about public
order and unemployment than personal freedom. The
National Socialist German Workers’ Party was founded
in 1920. The Falange, a fascist movement founded in
1933, took part in the. SPANISH CIVIL WAR.SPANISH CIVIL WAR
Civil war raged in Spain from 1936 to 1939.
An alliance led by General Franco
overthrew the elected government of the
Spanish Republic. Franco’s supporters were
Falangists, conservatives, monarchists, and
Catholics. Fighting for the government were
socialists, communists, and regionalists.1 ”NO PASARÀN”
“They shall not pass!” was the rallying cry of the Republic as Franco
advanced on Madrid. Both men and women fought to the bitter end,
but Franco did pass. This tragic war left Spain bitter and divided. Each
town still remembers its suffering.1 FASCIST SALUTES
Nazi salutes are given as Franco’s
troops take over the border town
of Irún. German bombing of
Spain outraged world opinion.
FASCIST DICTATOR 3
Benito Mussolini
(1883-1945) marched on
Rome in 1922 and became
Italian dictator in 1925.2 NUREMBERG, 1938
The Nazis staged huge
political rallies, many of
them in the city of
Nuremberg. Here, soldiers
march past carrying Nazi
party banners bearing the
words “Germany awake”.ADOLF HITLER
1889–1945
Austrian-born Adolf Hitler
served in a German regiment
during World War I.
Embittered by defeat, he
organized the Nazis and their
seizure of power in Germany.
As dictator, Hitler persecuted
Jews and crushed opposition.
His invasions of neighbouring
lands led to World War II.fascism