From Rick Steves comes a thought-provoking documalestary that revisits the rise of fascism in Europe, reminding us of how charismatic figures like Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler got here to power by promising to create a guesster future for his or her frustrated, economically depressed international locations–a future that recaptured the glory of some mythologized previous. As soon as in power, these fascist leaders changed democracy with a cult of personality, steadily eroded democratic norms and reality, ratcheted up violence, and located scapegoats to victimize–one thing facilitated by the unfold of conspiracy theories and professionalpaganda by way of modern media. They might lead their nations into warfare, and ultimately spoil, however not earlier than creating a playebook for other charismatic autocrats who entice voters with simplistic solutions to complex problems.
Originally aired on television, Steves has launched the documalestary on YouTube, hoping that Twenty first-century citizens can “study from the onerous classes of Twentieth-century Europe.” The textual content accompanying his documalestary reads as follows:
On this one-hour special, Rick travels again a century to learn the way fascism rose after which fell in Europe — taking millions of people with it. We’ll hint fascism’s history from its roots within the turbulent aftermath of World Battle I, when masses of offended people rose up, to the rise of charismatic leaders who manipulated that anger, the entireitarian societies they constructed, and the brutal measures they used to implement their ideology. We’ll see the horrific consequences: genocide and complete warfare. And we’ll be impressed by the stories of those that resisted. Alongside the way in which, we’ll visit poignant sights by way ofout Europe relating to fascism, and discuss with Europeans whose families lived by way of these occasions. Our objective: to study from the onerous classes of Twentieth-century Europe, and to recognize that ideology within the Twenty first century.
The Story of Fascism (which can be added to our record of Free Documalestaries) is recommended for students and adults alike. With World Battle II fading from living memory, we may use reminder, says Steves, of how “nationalism may be channeled into evil, and the way our freedoms and democracies aren’t indestructible…actually, they’re fragile.”
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