This week we are looking at the ideologies of what would be the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) in World War II. Thinking about our unit on the European moment (Enlightenment thought, the Industrial Revolution, new ideologies, imperialism) and World War I, please discuss the ideologies that came about in the aftermath of the war. Consider the following questions:
In what way did Mussolini, Hitler and the authors of the 'Cardinal Principles' find fault with mainstream Western societies and their social and political values? From what concrete conditions did the ideas expressed in these documents arise? Why did they achieve such widespread popularity?
We all know the outcome of these forms of thought, but remember that they were popular in their respective societies and had concrete historical reasons for their formulation and success.