Difference Between Fascism and Nazism

Fascism vs Nazism
 

Fascism and Nazism are two types of ideologies that show considerable differences between them. It can be said that Nazism is a form of Fascism. They are both considered being the opponents of liberalism and communism or socialism we saw in Russia. As a matter of fact, both Nazism and Fascism originated in the 20th century, influenced by nationalism. You have to understand that though Fascism and Nazism are known as interrelated it does not mean that all Fascists were Nazis as there are ideological differences between them. They both came into being from the Europe, and they both were found after the World War 1.

What is Fascism?

Fascism is a government led by a dictator who controls every aspect of the society putting the wealthy minority on top. Fascism is based on nationalistic feeling. The period of Fascism can be determined as 1919 – 45. The fascists of Italy under Mussolini were originally referred by the term Fascism. The state was the central aspect according to Fascism. Moreover, Fascism does not believe in the significance to be given to Aryanism as Fascism does not pay importance to racism. In other words, Aryan race is not given much importance by Fascism as the superior race.

Etymologically, it is interesting to note that the word Fascism is derived from the Italian word fascio meaning a collection in the form of a bundle. This only shows that fascism believes in the strength that can arise out of unity. So, Fascism believes in strength that can be brought about by standing together.

Fascism advocates of a state where everyone is together. So, if there are people who do not go with the main population, they were given the chance to convert into one of the main population. For example, without killing Jews, the Fascism ordered the Jews to convert. They did not kill Jews until Germany came to Italy during World War 2.

What is Nazism?

Nazism is also a political system that rose out of nationalistic feeling where a dictator along with his supporters ruled the country as he wished. However, Nazism was anti-semitic. This was the distinguishing factor of Nazism from Fascism. The period of Nazism can be determined as 1933 – 45. On the other hand, Nazism was also referred to as National Socialism. The Nazi Party has its ideology represented by the word Nazism. The word Nazi came into being using the first two syllables of the German pronunciation of ‘national.’

Moreover, while the state was the central aspect according to Fascism, Nazism gave a lot of importance to the race. This is a significant difference between the two ideologies. Aryanism developed a strong significance in the view of Nazism because the Aryan race or the Germanic race was considered the supreme race by the Nazis.

Nazism does not believe in the concept of strength in unity. Racial hatred is the basic tenet of Nazism. As Aryan race is given the primary importance by Nazism, all other races were not tolerated. That is why Nazism ended up killing all the Jews who were important inhabitants of Germany at the time.

What is the difference between Fascism and Nazism?

• Definitions of Fascism and Nazism:

• Fascism is a government led by a dictator who controls every aspect of the society putting the wealthy minority on top.

• Nazism is also a political system that rose out of nationalistic feeling where a dictator along with his supporters ruled the country as he wished.

• Period:

• The period of Fascism can be determined as 1919 – 45.

• The period of Nazism can be determined as 1933 – 45.

• Central Aspect of the Ideology:

Both differed from each other in terms of the aspect they gave importance to.

• Fascism had the state as its central aspect.

• Nazism had the race as its central aspect.

• Racism:

• Fascism is not engrossed in the idea of racism.

• Nazism is very much engrossed in the idea of racism.

• Treatment to Difference Races:

• Fascism did not like races that were the minority, but they gave a chance for the minority to convert into members of the majority.

• Nazism’s way of dealing with the minority races was completely wiping them out.

• Notion about the State:

• State was the most important aspect of Fascism and everything was done to protect the state.

• State was a just a means to help the Superior Race for Nazism.

These are the main differences between the two ideologies, Fascism and Nazism.

Images Courtesy:

1. Benito Mussolini with three of the four quadrumvirs during the March on Rome via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
2. Nazi Reichstag by DIREKTOR (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)