Five Brothers and a War

Fascism

Transitioning back to developments in neighboring Germany, the underpinnings of Hitler’s motivations make clear that Hitler’s view of Germany was more based on his own need for power than on the practicalities of taking over the world. Yet the concept of the Roman Empire was not lost on him, and his own egomania which in his own mind had him being remembered as the greatest human to have lived, drove him to his Third Reich concept. The Roman Empire was brutal on its enemies, but also implemented a system of governance and justice that still has influences today. Yet the Roman Empire was massively corrupt and brutal. Nero’s scapegoats were Christians, whereas Hitler’s were Jews. The very word “fascism” derives from the Roman Empire, where the Latin word “fascio” referred to a civil unit of organization and where “fasces” referred to a bundle of wooden rods, with a projecting axe, used by subordinates of Roman magistrates to mete out punishment, both corporal and capital. It ultimately symbolizes the power of the state to subordinate its subjects. Amazingly, one version of the U.S. dime, in circulation throughout America’s involvement in World War I all the way through World War II (1916 1945) depicted the fasces. In American lore, the fasces depicted unity and strength. The bundling of rods is exponentially stronger than a single rod, so by binding rods together the axe is virtually unbreakable.

The American dime, with the fasces artificially highlighted for emphasis.

Mussolini’s personal standard shows only the fascio.

nazi germany

The Italians, during the World War I period began modern fascism, with Benito Mussolini at the center. This was when the term “fascismo” was first used. Mussolini rose to power as Italian Prime Minister in 1922, Ultimately, Hitler’s Nazi Germany (1933-1945), and Francisco Franco’s Spain (1939-1975) joined Italy (1922-1943) as the three main nations which adopted fascism. Others, such as Hungary dabbled with fascism, and there were innumerable movements in many countries that to one degree or another were fascist. Perhaps most notable was Juan Peron, in Argentina, who was very heavily influenced by fascism.

Five Brothers and a War

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