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Key Word:
 Fascism: an extreme form of nationalism
that emphasizes conformity [sameness]
and militarism, usually with a dictator in
charge who has total power.
Earlier in the year, we referred to nationalism as the
“belief that a group of people with a common identity
should get their own country.” However, along with that
belief comes many others. In the case of fascists, who are
extreme nationalists, they added many other ideas to
nationalism:
 that the nation/country is more important than the
individual
 that their nation/country is superior to all others
 that their nation/country needs to be
religiously/ethnically/politically homogenous (the same)
 that their nation/country needs to have a strong military
to protect the “homeland”
The term fascism comes from the word
fasces, which is an axe that has a
number of sticks bundled around the
handle – individually, each stick may be
broken, but bound together, they are
stronger. Therefore, fascists were very
focused on trying to create a sense of
unity in their countries. In other
words, everyone had to think and act
the same way.
When a government is consciously
trying to manipulate and force it
citizens to think the same way, it is
called indoctrination.
Techniques of Indoctrination
a. Propaganda: we’ve discussed propaganda before in class. This is
when the government is trying to spread around information that is
meant to influence how you think or act. Propaganda posters are a
good example of this, as they communicated fascist policies and
slogans in an easy to understand way:
Techniques of Indoctrination
b. Censorship: censorship is when the government blocks access
to certain kinds of information. In a fascist state, no bad news
about the government or leader would be allowed to be
published. The government would own and censor newspapers,
radio, and television. For example, the Nazis manufactured free
radios for the population that would only pick up fascist radio
stations, so they could continually broadcast their beliefs into
people’s homes, and make sure that alternative views were
inaccessible.
The “Volksempfänger,”
or “People’s Radio”
Techniques of Indoctrination
c. “Cult” of the Leader: In a fascist state, the leader was often put
forward as a figure to be worshipped like a God. For example, look at
the religious imagery in the poster of Adolf Hitler below:
Techniques of Indoctrination
d. Control of Education: fascists also controlled what was taught in
school and how. Fascists knew that controlling the youth was
important in developing loyal followers. For example, the Nazis created
an organization called the “Hitler Youth,” which drilled the teachings of
the Nazis into young minds. All teachers had to be approved by the
Nazis. All the subjects were taught in a way that glorified Germany.
“I swear to devote all my energies and my strength to the
savior of our country, Adolf Hitler. I am willing and ready to
give up my life for him, so help me God. Adolf Hitler, you are
our great Führer (leader). Thy name makes the enemy
tremble. Let us hear daily thy voice and order us by thy
leadership, for we will obey to the end and even with our
lives. We praise thee! Hail Hitler!"
Pledge that children were required to recite when they joined
the “Hitler Youth,” 1929