Antifascism

/ˌæntiˈfæʃɪzəm/ noun

Definition

Political opposition to fascism, which is a system of government based on authoritarian single-party rule and extreme nationalism.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + fascism (from Italian fascio meaning bundle, symbolizing unity). Antifascism emerged as an organized movement in the 1920s-1930s in response to rising fascist regimes in Europe.

Kelly Says

Antifascism became the great unifying force of WWII, bringing together communists, capitalists, monarchists, and socialists who otherwise despised each other—it's a rare historical moment when opposing ideologies agreed that one enemy was simply unacceptable, showing how powerful negative unity can be.

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