Fascism

Fascism is an extreme political philosophy that holds nation and race above the individual, advocating the establishment of an authoritarian government with absolute power vested in the leader. After World War I (1914-1 a fascist movement developed in Italy under the leadership of Benito Mussolini (1883-1945). Around this time another fascist group, the National Socialist German Workers' party (Nazis), was gaining power in Germany. Mussolini took control of the Italian government in 1922, instituting strict economic and social programs: opposition to his dictatorship was forcibly suppressed. In 1936 Italy became allied with Germany (under German chancellor and führer (supreme leader) Adolf Hitler; 1889-1945) and Japan to form the Axis powers, an alliance that was ultimately defeated by the Allied nations (chiefly Great Britain, the United States, and Soviet Union) in World War II (1939-45).