European Fascisms, 1900-1945
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| HIST2029 | History | 2 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- HIST2029
- School
- History
- Level
- 2
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
The module examines the rise of fascist movements first in Italy and then in Germany in the wake of the First World War, setting this in the context of broader developments towards counter-revolutionary and authoritarian politics in the 1920s and 1930s (e.g. in Spain and Romania). Fascism became a transnational phenomenon and inspired the formation of ideologically similar movements in other countries: in particular, the module focuses on the development of the British Union of Fascists.
It examines the social composition of fascist movements, the nature of fascist ideology and the relationship of fascism to the ‘inter-war crisis’, which had economic, political and social dimensions. The practice of the Italian Fascist and National Socialist governments in power is analysed and compared with particular reference to coercion and violence, attempts to build ‘consent’, policies on gender and ‘race’, foreign policy, genocide and warfare.
Target Students
Students must have taken HIST1001 or HIST1002. Also available to exchangestudents hosted by the Department of History.
Classes
- One 1-hour seminar each week for 10 weeks
- One 2-hour lecture each week for 10 weeks
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: Piece of individually assessed coursework
- 50% Coursework 2: Piece of individually assessed coursework
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of fascism as one of the most important political phenomena of the twentieth century and the variety of forms it took in Europe in the first half of the twentieth century. It seeks to develop students’ ability to explain the role of economic, social and political factors which played a part in the emergence of fascist movements. This knowledge should lead to more general reflection on the relationship between democratic stability, mass politics and economic crisis and provide insight into both the different nature of fascist movements in different countries and explanations of that difference. As a result of their studies, students should develop other intellectual and transferable skills, as detailed below.Learning Outcomes
a.Knowledge and understanding:
Students should be able to:
• explain and interpret the factors which contributed to the rise of fascism and understand the relationship between economic, social and political change in this process
• understand what distinguishes fascism from traditional conservatism and the revolutionary left
• understand the problematical relationship between fascism as ideology, as movement, and in power
• assess the impact of fascist regimes on political structures, social relations and gender roles
• assess different interpretations of fascism
b. Intellectual skills:
Students should be able to:
• identify and assess key issues in the development of fascism
• compare and assess the arguments of historians
• construct coherent arguments of their own
c. Professional/practical skills:
Students will develop the ability to:
• identify and compare key arguments
• demonstrate writing, footnoting and bibliographical skills
• use the internet to access various databases
d. Transferable skills:
Students will develop the ability to:
• construct coherent arguments
• manage and interpret large amounts of material
• compare and assess the relative merits of arguments
• manage and take responsibility for their own learning
• express themselves clearly and cogently in written and oral tasks
• use IT and digital competences to access, analyse, process and communicate information