Political System

Political systems in Europe post World War I were terribly shaken if not completely destroyed. This is especially true in Eastern Europe where national boundaries were disputed and once powerful cities were virtually obliterated. In countries like Germany and Russia people had finally grown tired of being repressed not only as a nation by foreign enemies but individually by a wealthy ruling class of their fellow citizens. Finding themselves among political, economic and social ruin, these same people saw an opportunity to not just rebuild the pre-war government, but to create entirely new systems of government in an effort to strengthen their country and reach the highest level of power, prosperity and greatness. Two forms of government borne out of this desire for revolution were Communism and Fascism. Communism, the brainchild of Karl Marx, is basically an ideal or perfect form of Socialism. It is based on an economic system in which the government owns or controls almost all business and manufacturing activity. Fascism can be described as the absolute control of a country by a dictator. There is no individual freedom what so ever especially in the area of economics. With both of these systems seemingly compromising all freedom and individuality why did both win overwhelming support from the citizens of the countries involved? Fascism and Communism, with the help of strong and charismatic leaders promised the people revolutionary social change, socioeconomic equality, homeland security and essentially a better life and many others promises which would never be realized.

All this desires would be accomplished with the new governments of Nazism, fascism, and communism. These governments had many similarities to obtain what was to be accomplished. Both systems advocated dictatorial one-party rule. They wanted absolute power in the country; thus, it allowed them the strength to control the people and control the levels of security in the country. These governments denied individual rights and insisted on the supremacy of the state. Countries with these governments scorned and hated democratic