Q&A · 1:30:12-1:30:33

Would Germany still turn to fascism?

A fascist movement remains likely, but without a successful Bolshevik revolution its organization and appeal would develop against a different political threat.

Question

Would Germany still become fascist if the Bolshevik revolution failed?

Short answer

Probably, but the movement and party would look different because communism would be a weaker political threat and example.

Notes

Some form of German fascist politics remains more likely than not. The movement would not emerge in the same environment because communists would lack the prestige and power gained from victory in Russia. Anti-communism could therefore mobilize different voters, elites, and institutions than it did historically. The resulting party might still be authoritarian and nationalist without reproducing the exact organization or path of the Nazi movement. Familiar political labels cannot be carried unchanged across a radically altered timeline.