Language:
English
Year of publication:
1989
Titel der Quelle:
European History Quarterly
Angaben zur Quelle:
19,1 (1989) 85-103
Keywords:
Hitler, Adolf,
;
National socialism Philosophy
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
;
Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)
Abstract:
The view that antisemitism was the core of Nazi ideology implies that Nazism is an exclusively German phenomenon, not part of "international fascism." Hitler himself, however, saw fascism as the Italian version of National Socialism despite their profoundly different approaches to the Jews, and he was willing to overlook Italy's favorable attitude towards the Jews before 1938 and protection of them during the war. Three factors influenced this apparent tolerance, consistent with Hitler's policy in Germany up to 1938 (subordination of his anti-Jewish mania to the consolidation of power and foreign policy considerations): Hitler greatly admired Mussolini's political skill; although antisemitism was his central conviction, it was also part of his universal hostility toward "Jewish" Bolshevism, liberalism, Christianity, etc. (i.e. total rejection of existing society); as the liquidation of the Jews was a clandestine process, he could not pressure Italy openly. Argues that Mussolini's fascism was an essentially similar form of totalitarianism aimed at annihilation of its opponents.
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