How World War 2 led to the rise of socialism in the world?

Answer 1

first answer:

The war looked like a struggle between the Right Wing (Germany, Italy, Japan) against the allies, which included Soviet Russia.

All the allied proaganda had presented Stalin as the benevolent 'Man of the People', and socialism/communism was made to look respectable.

As pre-war conservatives had tended to view Nazism as a necessary bulwark against marxism, conservaives were often lumped-in with fascists in left-wing opinon, especially in the fast-growing and influential student population.

second answer:

A key point to understand is that Socialism was on the increase in the world, especially in Europe following the First World War.

The most important point to understand is that Socialism includes both Communism & Fascism. Communism is the most extreme version of Socialism, often called a 'left-wing' ideology. Fascism being less extreme than Communism, is to the immediate 'right' of Communism, but it is not "right wing". This 'right wing' myth was perpetuated by those socialists & communists that wanted to distance themselves from those 'evil' fascists, that had started WW2.

Below is a comparison & contrast of Communism & Fascism.

Communism & Fascism (1917-1945): Common features

Ø Both are forms of Socialism.

Ø Both have policies of Nationalism & Acts of Imperialism.

Ø Both introduce new moral standards, Social Darwinism ('natural order of things', 'survival of the fit or strong", "might makes right"), and repress religious expression and traditional moral values.

Ø Both claim to be bottom-up 'movements', however they are actually top-down 'organizations'.

Ø Both target a group(s) or segment(s) of the population for blame and eventual destruction.

Ø Social Justice (retaliation, retribution, revenge, etc.) is encouraged in the beginning stages, as a means to gain power.

Ø Both make widespread use of Propaganda, deception & later outright control of the media.

Ø Both use intimidation & violence directed at opponents.

Ø Both ideologies have a strong belief in central planning & government control over the economy & human behavior.

Ø Both suspend Elections & Constitution by a "national crisis".

Ø Both have unrestrained One Party rule.

Ø Both implement policies that lead to the loss of individual freedoms.

Ø Opponents are murdered & imprisoned by both forms of government.

Ø In both, Authoritarian leadership evolves quickly into Totalitarianism.

Ø In both, all political & economic power goes to the party insiders.

Ø In both, the Party leader eventually becomes the national ruler and then an unquestioned 'god-like' persona.

Ø In both, the national economic activity & living standards are constrained over the long-term.

Ø In both, the majority of people eventually yearn to be free of this tyranny, and will do their best to escape or resist. These are not desirable forms of government, and given a choice will reject these.

Ø Both forms of governments maintain control with the threat of violent force directed at the population.

Communism & Fascism (1917-1945): Differences

Ø Capitalism: Not allowed by Communists; Is corrupted & redirected by Fascists (crony capitalism).

Ø Ownership of private property: Not allowed by Communists; Allowed but restricted/controlled by Fascists. If any enemy, your property will be taken from you and given to someone more loyal.

Ø Religion:Suppressed & Replaced by Communists; Undermined, restricted & minimized by Fascists.

Ø Global universal model & direction: Directed out of Moscow by the Communist leader, using published Marxist dogma; Fascists do not have an absolute universal ideology, they have a specific national application suited to that particular country.

Ø National Identity & Power: When Communists are not running the country, they will seek to undermine & weaken the host nation per the direction of the COMINTERN (Moscow directed); When Communists are running the country, they seek to increase national power, and extend their influence beyond their national borders, yet will defer to the direction from Moscow; Fascists seek to promote a stronger national identity and influence and are not answerable to any international entity.

Ø Emergence in history: Communists often emerge to replace an oppressive authoritarian rule by promising equality, freedom, prosperity & fairness; Fascists often emerge to replace a weakened social democracy in chaos, by promising stability, safety, security & fairness.

Ø Social Warfare among the people: Communists encourage 'Class Warfare' based on economic status. Everyone should be of one economic class; Fascists encourage conflict based on national origin, racial, ethnic, or political affiliation. Everyone should be of one uniform race, ethnic, national or political group.

Ø Racism & Anti-Semitism: Communists discouraged this; Fascists often encourage it.

In the 1930's, the Germans feared communism enough that they generally supported Hitler & the Nazis (Fascists) in their efforts to defeat communism. Hitler played on these fears to create a Fascist government. The Germans overall are/were hard-working people that most feared the loss of their property, their businesses, and religious freedom to a possible communist society.

The war led to the defeat of Fascism in Germany & Italy, but the rise of Communism in Europe & Asia. It also led to the rise of Socialist Democracies that allowed political & religious freedom, while controlling economic resources, regulating capitalism & international trade, and controlling the sources of capital. As time goes by, the populations of these Social Democracies become more dependent on these governments (that grow in power) and their individual freedoms erode. Socialism begets more socialism.