Fascism and Nazism were anti-democratic, imperialistic and anti-communistic movements. In the context of this statement explain the following features of Fascism and Nazism:

(a) Negation of Democracy

(b) Imperialistic Policies (Aggressive Nationalism)

(c) Anti-Communist Policies
Or
Describe any three main similarities between the Fascist and Nazi ideologies.
Or
Examine the three key features of Fascism and Nazism.

(a) Fascism is a sworn enemy of liberalism, democracy and personal liberty.

1. Mussolini said, "Fascism trains its guns on the whole block of democratic ideologies."
2. Similarly, Hitler asserted that masses should be governed by those whom "Nature has endowed with special gifts".
3. Although the legislature continued to exist in Italy, but in essence the power of law-making belonged to 'Duce'.
4. The Fascist and the Nazi rulers did not allow other than their own party to operate in the country.
5. Their order was that life should be made "impossible" for their opponents.
6. In 1924, Giacomo Matteotti, leader of the Socialists in the Parliament (Chamber of Deputies) and an extremely bitter critic of Mussolini, was murdered.

(b) Imperialistic Policies (Aggressive Nationalism):

1. Both Hitler and Mussolini pursued an expansionist policy abroad.
2. "Imperialism", said Mussolini, "is the eternal law of life."
3. In March 1936, the Italian troops reached near the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa.
4. On 2nd May, the Emperor of Ethiopia fled the country and the Capital fell to the Italian troops.
5. The Hitler regime embarked upon a policy of expansionism.
6. The Germans knocked down one country after another — Austria, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium. Even Paris fell to the Nazis.

(c) Fascism claimed to be neither capitalistic nor socialistic.

1. It protected private property, but placed its use under state-control.
2. The Communists, however, never trusted the Fascists.
3. The country had been placed under a "perpetual war economy".
4. Political necessities, such as rapid rearmament and industrial growth, placed the initiative more and more in the hands of the government.
5. Nazism also was a sworn enemy of Socialism and Communism.
6. It condemned the Marxist doctrine of Class Struggle as being destructive of the unity of the nation.