The Faces of Fascism

As the knee-jerk and improvisational dictatorship of Primo de Rivera lumbered through the 1920s, what were the reactions of Spain's societal factions, and how did the actions of Lieutenant-Colonel Franco unintentionally cause the first cracks to appear? The lessons in entrusting the running of a country to an amateur soon become apparent.

Before there was Franco, there was another twentieth-century general who abolished democracy to restore the glory of Spain. But who was Miguel Primo de Rivera, and what were the circumstances that brought him to power? Moreover, can this militarist who was dismissive of colonialism be considered a Fascist?

In the first of two episodes, I join Mr W of the GCSE History Revision Podcast to talk about the rise of Hitler.

In November 1923, a bunch of political chancers launched an attempted coup - a putsch - from a beer cellar. A collection of ex-soldiers and political monomaniacs led by a failed artist, they thought they could repeat Mussolini's March on Rome. Who were they?

In this episode we look at the early history of the National Socialist German Workers' Party - the Nazis - and the causes of the Beer Hall Putsch. We look at the events of the failed rebellion and then look at the consequences for Hitler, the Party and Germany as a whole.

Having been installed as Portugal's Prime Minister, how did Salazar rule? What were his principles, and how did he outline his political philosophies? We also discover the reasoning behind his keeping Portugal neutral during the Second World War, and how he was rewarded for so doing.

However, while some describe Salazar as the 'good' dictator, we are reminded of the darker underside of his regime...

Often grouped among the Fascist dictators, Salazar quietly ruled over Portugal for thirty-six years. But who was he, what were his principles, and under what circumstances did this logical, austere and priestly man who despised politics find himself appointed Prime Minister?

The founding of the German Workers' Party, its nebulous and illogical principles, and the first impressions of it given by Adolf Hitler. Conflicting accounts are given of Hitler's first meeting and his eventual reasons for joining the party, but it's clear in the minds of all concerned that it is with this dismal rabble in an insalubrious beerhall that a political career can be made...

The Legion arrives in Africa, and Francisco Franco is determined to model this new unit in his own image - organised and dedicated, but also cruelly disciplined and embracing death. As the vanity of a general leads Spain to its greatest military disaster since the loss of its empire, all of these traits will be required if the nation is to be avenged.

The Fascist movement was made up of outcasts from across the political spectrum, so what were the aims stated in its original programme for government, and how successful were these in capturing the imagination of the Italian public? Meanwhile, while Benito Mussolini's inconsistent and cynical approach to politics leads him to consider a path to parliament as the means of fomenting revolution, his former mistress returns...

As Major Francisco Franco combats the rise of leftist unrest, displaying the same brutal coldness to his fellow countrymen as he did to colonial rebels, he encounters a kindred spirit. This man's vision for a new military force would change the course of Franco's destiny, and rescue his career at the same time. The Legion was on the march.

To the victor, the spoils? Having turned their fortunes around and discovered patriotism in the process, Italy expected to be rewarded for being on the winning side of the Great War. Finding themselves ignored as the French and Americans decided Europe's future allowed resentment to fester, and Benito Mussolini to exploit the public mood. As society despaired at a weak government and veterans found the country weak and wanting, a new movement began to emerge...