Claim: Nazi Germany was a fascist nation.

Fascism -LSB- ˈfæʃɪzəm -RSB- is a form of radical authoritarian nationalism , characterized by dictatorial power , forcible suppression of opposition , and control of industry and commerce , that came to prominence in early 20th-century Europe . The first fascist movements emerged in Italy during World War I , before it spread to other European countries . Opposed to liberalism , Marxism , and anarchism , fascism is usually placed on the far-right within the traditional left -- right spectrum .   Fascists saw World War I as a revolution that brought massive changes to the nature of war , society , the state , and technology . The advent of total war and the total mass mobilization of society had broken down the distinction between civilians and combatants . A `` military citizenship '' arose in which all citizens were involved with the military in some manner during the war . The war had resulted in the rise of a powerful state capable of mobilizing millions of people to serve on the front lines and providing economic production and logistics to support them , as well as having unprecedented authority to intervene in the lives of citizens .   Fascists believe that liberal democracy is obsolete , and they regard the complete mobilization of society under a totalitarian one-party state as necessary to prepare a nation for armed conflict and to respond effectively to economic difficulties . Such a state is led by a strong leader -- such as a dictator and a martial government composed of the members of the governing fascist party -- to forge national unity and maintain a stable and orderly society . Fascism rejects assertions that violence is automatically negative in nature and views political violence , war , and imperialism as means that can achieve national rejuvenation . Fascists advocate a mixed economy , with the principal goal of achieving autarky through protectionist and interventionist economic policies .   Since the end of World War II in 1945 , few parties have openly described themselves as fascist , and the term is instead now usually used pejoratively by political opponents . The descriptions neo-fascist or post-fascist are sometimes applied more formally to describe parties of the far right with ideologies similar to , or rooted in , 20th century fascist movements .