The strategies I’m referring to are best summed up as populism, yes. The left vs right terminology originally referred to those who opposed or supported monarchy, respectively. In Weimar Germany those who opposed the political establishment in favor of working class movements were considered socialist, irrespective of their other beliefs.
What I’m saying is that as capital S Socialism gained popularity among the working class, fascist movements appropriated the Socialists populist methods, taking advantage of the work that Socialists had already done in organizing working class opposition to the political establishment. The majority were not ideologues, they simply knew the status quo was not serving them and were looking for explanations, which at one point only Socialists were providing (though arguably not very effectively). That’s when fascism emerged to provide an alternative explanation; one which was not a threat to the wealthy and powerful, and played into the deep-rooted prejudices of the time.
Well yes of course, in this context communism and socialism aren’t very literal aside from the parties empty promises. That was a given in the historical context, as there has never been a true communism by definition.
Because the splintering of the left wing as a result of radical Communist Party spoiling Social Democrat and Centrist parties resulting in failure to form a left or centrist government for 3 years allowed the Nazis to take over and effectively end the republic. And also, even if they opposed communism and practiced socialism, they were all basically favors of the same thing but had different leaders in mind.
The strategies I’m referring to are best summed up as populism, yes. The left vs right terminology originally referred to those who opposed or supported monarchy, respectively. In Weimar Germany those who opposed the political establishment in favor of working class movements were considered socialist, irrespective of their other beliefs.
What I’m saying is that as capital S Socialism gained popularity among the working class, fascist movements appropriated the Socialists populist methods, taking advantage of the work that Socialists had already done in organizing working class opposition to the political establishment. The majority were not ideologues, they simply knew the status quo was not serving them and were looking for explanations, which at one point only Socialists were providing (though arguably not very effectively). That’s when fascism emerged to provide an alternative explanation; one which was not a threat to the wealthy and powerful, and played into the deep-rooted prejudices of the time.
Well yes of course, in this context communism and socialism aren’t very literal aside from the parties empty promises. That was a given in the historical context, as there has never been a true communism by definition.
Then why are you trying to say that Nazi Germany was directly created by communism if they never practiced communism?
Because the splintering of the left wing as a result of radical Communist Party spoiling Social Democrat and Centrist parties resulting in failure to form a left or centrist government for 3 years allowed the Nazis to take over and effectively end the republic. And also, even if they opposed communism and practiced socialism, they were all basically favors of the same thing but had different leaders in mind.