Aaron Ventresca

Mr. Malone
AP World History
11 May 2018
Period 6 LEQ
The period from 1900 to 2001 saw a dramatic increase in regional and global conflict.

The rise of new social ideologies spurred an era of revolution and reform. Communism,

socialism, and fascism all served as fueling forces behind revolutions. The Mexican Revolution

of 1910 witnessed to the spread of socially-driven conflict to the Western Hemisphere. The

Russian Revolution of 1917 demonstrated the presence of communism as a force behind regional

military conflict. Communist Russia soon implemented new reforms, exemplifying the result of

ideologically-driven revolution and reform movements. Fascism, like communism and socialism,

began to assume a greater role in armed conflict. Fascism, a movement that challenged existing

political structures, essentially caused World War II. Thus Fascism, challenging political

organization, caused the major global conflict of World War II.

It proves important to note how continuity and change apply to the rise of fascism in

Europe. Ideologically-driven conflicts were a continuity in European history; the French

Revolution was fueled by the Enlightenment. A change involving fascism was the pervasive

presence of authoritarian ideologies. The freshness and appeal of fascism to European citizens is

what fostered its widespread acceptance. The naturally assertive and forceful nature of fascism

also perpetuated its presence in Europe. Thus, fascism represented both an important change and

continuity in history.

Applying the concept of fascism’s widespread acceptance, it is crucial to trace forward

the appeal of fascism to its global ramifications. Hitler and the Nazi party challenged the existing
political order in Germany and in nearby countries. Through the promotion of a “master race”

and “German living space,” Hitler challenged conventional German political standards. The

challenges to German government put forth by Hitler would eventually spur World War II. The

desire of Hitler to challenge existing institutions through promoting a master race caused global

conflict. Hitler invaded other countries to perform genocide; alliances were triggered Hitler’s

challenge to existing political conventions, causing the global conflict of World War II.

Further, fascism challenged political orders in other countries. Hitler challenged the

political order in Poland through invasion. Hitler’s challenge to Polish government eventually

sparked war in Europe. The war ignited by Hitler’s infringement on Polish political affairs

helped fuel World War II.

In addition, Hitler’s challenge to the British political order helped perpetuate the global

conflict already started. Attempting to expand as quickly as possible and assert as much

dominance as possible, Hitler launched Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain. Operation

Sea Lion was a major failure. Applying causation, Hitler’s attempted challenge of British

political order helped further World War II and the demise of Nazi Germany. Thus, Hitler’s

challenge to existing British authority helped perpetuate global conflict.

Hitler and the Nazis continued to challenge existing political order through the invasion

of Russia. Once more, Hitler failed. Hitler’s repeated challenges to existing political entities

using fascist ideas helped begin and perpetuate global conflict.

As a matter of applying deeper analysis and reasoning, the use of ideologies to fuel

challenges to political organization can be connected to the modern day. ISIS, using extremist

Islamic view to justify challenges to political order, is greatly similar to the beginnings of World
War II. Originally, Hitler and the Nazis were viewed as “extremists”. Today, ISIS is seen as

“extremist”. Both ISIS and the Nazis used an ideology to justify their practices. Further, both

ISIS and the Nazis challenged existing political structures. The Nazi challenge to political power

resulted in World War II. Will the ISIS challenge to political power result in World War III?