Fascism and Holocaust

doi:10.1017/9781108913614.008

5 - Fascism and Holocaust

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 16 May 2025

Aristotle Kallis

Edited by

Mark Roseman and

Dan Stone

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Mark Roseman: Affiliation:
Indiana University
Dan Stone: Affiliation:
Royal Holloway, University of London

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Summary

The chapter opens with the challenge of connecting fascism to explanations of the Holocaust, given the many distinctive, or purportedly distinctive, elements of National Socialism, not least the radical character of its antisemitism. The chapter argues, however, that thinking about fascism in relation to the Holocaust has three main virtues. First, it prompts us to reconsider the boundaries and distinctiveness of both fascism and Holocaust. Secondly, it suggests that fascist ideology made some critical moves that helped make the Holocaust conceivable and possible. Finally, fascist taboo-breaking helped to create receptive audiences and collaborators across Europe, “catalysing, and radicalising a nexus of local eliminationist agencies.”

Keywords

Fascism uniqueness debates special path of German history eliminatory antisemitism biological racism Mussolini Hitler Axis powers ideology generic fascism ultranationalism transgressive violence

Type: Chapter
Information: The Cambridge History of the Holocaust , pp. 93 - 112

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108913614.008 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2025

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