Ideologies of the Axis Powers: Traditions, Modernity, and Revolution

This essay evaluates the ideologies of the Axis Powers, focusing on the similarities and differences between Benito Mussolini's fascism, Adolf Hitler's Nazism, and the Cardinal Principles. It explores the extent to which these ideologies were new and revolutionary, drawing upon long-standing traditions ...Read More

Ideologies
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After evaluating the two documents as depicted in “Ideologies of the Axis Powers,” it can be
righty stated that there had been differences as well as similarities of ideas. Such outstanding
similarities and differences have been observed between Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler and the
authors of Cardinal Principles. However, the differences and similarities that have been observed
are related to the viewpoint of the respective individuals about their states. In this regard, it is
noteworthy to mention here that from the very beginning Benito Mussolini has developed strong
opponent towards the practice of democracy and liberalism1. However, such attitude was not
only developed in Italy, the other parts of the world also witnessed the changes. Therefore, it was
established that Mussolini supported fascism. However, the policies of Adolf Hitler were
different from that of Mussolini because it was totally based on the concept of Nazism.
It was believed that in order to build a free society it is important to promote liberalism
and establish a democratic government. In this context, it can be stated that both Hitler and
Mussolini have been supporting the paramilitary forces. The use of paramilitary forces was
exercised by both the rulers however the most important similarity that has been observed is
common intention of defeating America2. Several ideas were depicted in the documents which
were related to the idea of criticizing the Western societies. However, the ideas depicted were
based on various other conditions. The most important among them is concerned with Hitler’s
ideas which were expressed by him before he held his office in Germany. However, in this
regard, Benito Mussolini also expresses some ideas after he has regarded as the head of the state
1 DiNardo, Richard L. "Axis Coalition Building." A Companion to World War II, Volume
I & II (2013): 403-414.
2 Feldman, Matthew, and John Pollard. "The ideologues and ideologies of the radical
right: an introduction." (2016): 327-336.

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in Italy. In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention here that these ideas have been formulated in
the period between the First World War and the Second World War. These ideas were
formulated during the period when the nations were experiencing certainties that involved
serious consequences of political disruption. It can be commented that as a result of these
prevailing factors, the different ideas formulated by Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and the
authors of Cardinal Principles earned much importance and gained popularity. Since time
immemorial, the society was seeking assistance in relation to the prevailing factors of
international relations with different countries3. In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention here
that the ideas depicted in the documents received worldwide recognition due to the reason that it
was formulated by both Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini.
The ideas that have been depicted in the documents served as guidance while making
policies for the development in Japan, Germany and Italy. In this regard, the scenario of the
Second World War can be mentioned where most of defense policies used by the German forces
were based on the philosophies provided by the governance of Adolf Hitler. In addition to this,
the persecution of the Nazis during the war in concentration camps was purely based on the ideas
of Adolf Hitler which has been clearly highlighted in the documents.
The denunciation of the policies of America which was extensively practiced by Adolf
Hitler is still conspicuous in parts of Germany4. The policies are still evident even after eviction
3 Goeschel, Christian. "Staging Friendship: Mussolini And Hitler In Germany In
1937." The Historical Journal60, no. 1 (2017): 149-172.
4 Goeschel, Christian. "The Cultivation of Mussolini’s Image in Weimar and Nazi
Germany." In Rewriting German History, pp. 247-266. Palgrave Macmillan, London,
2015.

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of Hitler’s power in Germany. However, the Benito Mussolini carried on the practice of
dictatorship. The practice of dictatorial leadership by Benito Mussolini however created
obstacles to reform systems within the country. However, with changing years with the advent of
liberal thinkers, the reign of Benito Mussolini came to an end. In spite of all these factors, the
ideas that have been expressed by the different leaders as illustrated in the documents subsidized
to the foundation of a constrained relationship with different countries in international context. In
recent years, most of the old age policies have been amended and repealed however countries
like Germany, Japan and Italy still complies with the formulated ideas and plans as depicted in
the mentioned documents.
According to Benito Mussolini, the Fascist State is revolutionary as it had been
anticipating the solution of the problems created out of universal grounds5. However, being
revolutionary, the Fascist State has organized the nation to great extent still it left sufficient
margin of liberty in the hands of the individuals. In this regard, based on the ideas illustrated in
the documents, it can be stated that the ideas can be regarded as new or revolutionary. This is due
to the reason that the ideas underlying the principles of Enlightenment have been rejected by the
political leaders. However, after the rejection of the ideas of equality and freedom concerning
enlightenment, new ideas were framed in a different way based on early criticisms.
Based on the information illustrated on the documents, it can be rightly stated that all the
three documents were successful in drawing established nationalist traditions. These established
nationalist traditions have been identified in drawing on long standing traditions in the societies
of those political leaders. Mussolini was successful in drawing an imperial idea which has been
5 Hedinger, Daniel. "The imperial nexus: the Second World War and the Axis in global
perspective." Journal of Global History12, no. 2 (2017): 184-205.

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originated in the ancient Rome6. In this regard, it is noteworthy to mention here that, Hitler was
successful in drawing an idea which was based on older anti-Semitic tradition in Germany. He
also drew ideas on the imperial ambitions of Germans in Eastern Europe. In this regard, he was
successful in drawing clear ideas about the Aryans which was derived from the German
movement during the nineteenth century.
Japan drew laboriously on ideas that are well established which is related with the
authority of the emperor as well as the traditions of loyalty offered to the emperor. In this regard,
it is noteworthy to mention here that the three documents have totally embraced the trends of
industrial society and in the process it increased the role of the state within the society. The ideas
of modern parliamentary democracy were rejected by them and also the ideas governing the
concept of majority rule7. All of them rejected the ideas regarding enlightenment of universal
rights and liberties as well as the concepts of individualism and socialism. However, the concept
of pacifism has been rejected by Mussolini.
6 Hedinger, Daniel. "Universal Fascism and its Global Legacy. Italy’s and Japan’s
Entangled History in the Early 1930s." Fascism 2, no. 2 (2013): 141-160.
7 Salvati, Giulio. "Axis Empires. Toward a Global History of Fascist
Imperialism." Fascism 5, no. 1 (2016): 89-94.

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Bibliography
DiNardo, Richard L. "Axis Coalition Building." A Companion to World War II, Volume I &
II (2013): 403-414.
Feldman, Matthew, and John Pollard. "The ideologues and ideologies of the radical right: an
introduction." (2016): 327-336.
Goeschel, Christian. "Staging Friendship: Mussolini And Hitler In Germany In 1937." The
Historical Journal60, no. 1 (2017): 149-172.
Goeschel, Christian. "The Cultivation of Mussolini’s Image in Weimar and Nazi Germany."
In Rewriting German History, pp. 247-266. Palgrave Macmillan, London, 2015.
Hedinger, Daniel. "The imperial nexus: the Second World War and the Axis in global
perspective." Journal of Global History12, no. 2 (2017): 184-205.
Hedinger, Daniel. "Universal Fascism and its Global Legacy. Italy’s and Japan’s Entangled
History in the Early 1930s." Fascism 2, no. 2 (2013): 141-160.
Salvati, Giulio. "Axis Empires. Toward a Global History of Fascist Imperialism." Fascism 5, no.
1 (2016): 89-94.

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