Summary of Carl Müller Frøland’s analysis of the Artistic & Philosophical Roots of German Fascism
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Johann Gottfried Herder |
1. Reaction to the French Revolution & Enlightenment (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)
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Context:
- The French Revolution (1789) and Enlightenment rationalism promoted individualism, universal rights, secularism, and democracy.
- Many German intellectuals reacted against these ideas, fearing the destruction of traditional order, monarchy, and religion.
- German thinkers sought alternative organic, spiritual, and nationalist worldviews.
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Key Themes of the Reaction:
- Rejection of Rationalism & Individualism → Emphasis on emotion, faith, and communal identity.
- Skepticism toward Democracy & Egalitarianism → Support for hierarchy, authority, and nationalism.
- Anti-Universalism → Belief in unique national identities (esp. German exceptionalism).
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Key Figures:
- Edmund Burke (1729–1797) – Conservative critic of the French Revolution, defended tradition and hierarchy.
- Joseph de Maistre (1753–1821) – Catholic reactionary, argued for monarchy and divine authority.
- Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803) – Developed Volksgeist (national spirit) → Laid the groundwork for ethnic nationalism.
2. German Idealism & Nationalism (Late 18th – Early 19th Century)
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Context:
- German philosophers developed Idealism, which rejected pure materialism and sought spiritual/metaphysical foundations for reality.
- These ideas contributed to the later glorification of the state, nationalism, and hierarchical structures in German thought.
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Key Themes:
- The Nation as an Organic Whole → Society is not a collection of individuals but a unified body with a collective destiny.
- The Role of the State in Shaping the Individual → The state is the highest expression of a people’s spirit.
- Struggle & Conflict as Essential to Growth → Anticipates fascist ideas of war and struggle as natural and necessary.
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Key Figures:
- Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) – While a supporter of reason and morality, his idea of "duty" and the categorical imperative influenced later authoritarian interpretations.
- Johann Fichte (1762–1814) –
- Advocated for a strong, nationalist state to cultivate the German spirit.
- Saw the nation as a mystical, collective entity rather than a collection of free individuals.
- In Addresses to the German Nation (1808), called for German unity and resistance to foreign influence.
- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) –
- Developed dialectical idealism, where history unfolds through struggle and conflict (later adapted by Marx and fascists alike).
- Saw the state as the highest realization of human spirit (the Absolute).
- Emphasized the importance of strong leadership and collective destiny.
- His ideas were later distorted by fascist thinkers to justify authoritarianism and nationalism.
Artistic & Philosophical Roots of German Fascism (Continued)
3. Romanticism (Late 18th – 19th Century)
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Context:
- Romanticism emerged as a reaction to Enlightenment rationalism and industrialization.
- It emphasized emotion, myth, nature, heroism, and national identity over reason and universalism.
- It contributed to fascist aesthetics and the glorification of irrationalism, nationalism, and the Volk (people/nation).
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Key Themes:
- Anti-Rationalism & Mysticism → Emphasis on emotion, intuition, and mystical nationalism.
- Mythologizing the Nation → Idealization of Germany’s medieval and folk traditions.
- Heroism & Struggle → Glorification of the heroic individual and war as a spiritual necessity.
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Key Figures:
- Johann Gottfried Herder (1744–1803) – Emphasized Volksgeist (national spirit), laying the foundation for ethnic nationalism.
- Richard Wagner (1813–1883) – Composer whose operas promoted Germanic mythology, nationalism, and anti-Semitism.
- Friedrich Schlegel (1772–1829) – Romantic philosopher who emphasized intuition and cultural nationalism.
4. Vitalism & Irrationalism (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)
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Context:
- Vitalism reacted against scientific materialism, emphasizing life force, will, and instinct.
- It fueled fascist beliefs in heroic struggle, the will to power, and anti-intellectualism.
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Key Themes:
- Life as a Struggle → Strength, force, and dominance are natural and necessary.
- Anti-Materialism → Rejection of mechanistic, scientific worldviews in favor of mysticism and instinct.
- Hierarchy & Elitism → Belief that strong individuals and nations should dominate the weak.
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Key Figures:
- Henri Bergson (1859–1941) – Philosopher of élan vital (life force); opposed rationalism in favor of intuition and will.
- Oswald Spengler (1880–1936) –
- Author of The Decline of the West (1918), which argued that civilizations undergo natural life cycles.
- Predicted the decline of liberalism and called for a new authoritarian order.
5. Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) – Will to Power & Anti-Egalitarianism
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Context:
- Nietzsche was not a fascist, but his ideas were misinterpreted and appropriated by fascists.
- He rejected Christian morality, democracy, and equality, glorifying strength, struggle, and the Übermensch (Overman).
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Key Themes:
- Will to Power → Human life is defined by the struggle for power and self-overcoming.
- Übermensch (Overman) → A superior individual who creates new values and dominates the weak.
- Rejection of Christian & Democratic Morality → Saw equality and compassion as signs of weakness.
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Fascist Appropriation:
- The Nazis distorted Nietzsche’s ideas, using them to justify racial supremacy and authoritarianism.
- Elisabeth Förster-Nietzsche, his sister, edited his works to fit far-right, anti-Semitic ideology.
6. Social Darwinism & Racial Theories (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)
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Context:
- Darwin’s theory of evolution was distorted into Social Darwinism, which claimed that society evolves through the survival of the fittest.
- This justified racial hierarchies, eugenics, and imperialism.
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Key Themes:
- Struggle & Competition → Society should be governed by natural selection (the strongest dominate).
- Racial Purity & Eugenics → Some races are biologically superior and should be preserved.
- Elimination of the Weak → Justified war, imperialism, and genocide.
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Key Figures:
- Herbert Spencer (1820–1903) – Applied Darwinism to society; coined "survival of the fittest."
- Houston Stewart Chamberlain (1855–1927) – Promoted Aryan supremacy; influenced Nazi ideology.
- Arthur de Gobineau (1816–1882) – Wrote Essay on the Inequality of the Human Races (1853), which argued for racial hierarchies.
7. Futurism & Modernist Art Movements (Early 20th Century)
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Context:
- While fascism rejected much of modernist culture, it embraced Futurism, which glorified technology, war, and dynamism.
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Key Themes:
- Worship of Speed, Industry, & War → Fascism saw war as a regenerative force.
- Destruction of Tradition → Futurists wanted to destroy old institutions and embrace radical authoritarianism.
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Key Figures:
- Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (1876–1944) – Founder of Italian Futurism; praised violence and authoritarian rule.
- Ezra Pound (1885–1972) – Poet who supported Italian Fascism and Mussolini.
8. Conservative Revolution & German Nationalism (Early 20th Century)
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Context:
- The Conservative Revolution in Germany (1910s–1930s) sought to reject liberal democracy and capitalism while opposing communism.
- These thinkers influenced Nazi ideology with their calls for strong leadership, nationalism, and militarism.
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Key Themes:
- Authoritarian Leadership → Support for a strong, decisive leader (later embodied in Hitler).
- Glorification of War → Conflict seen as purifying and necessary for national rebirth.
- Anti-Marxism & Anti-Liberalism → Opposition to both socialism and capitalist democracy.
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Key Figures:
- Carl Schmitt (1888–1985) – Legal theorist who defended the dictatorship and elimination of democracy.
- Oswald Spengler – Predicted the collapse of the West and called for authoritarian rule.
- Moeller van den Bruck (1876–1925) – Coined the term "Third Reich" and called for a new German authoritarianism.
Conclusion: How These Ideas Converged in German Fascism
- Romantic nationalism + Hegelian state worship → Volk & Führer ideology.
- Nietzschean struggle + Social Darwinism → Glorification of war & racial purity.
- Vitalism + Futurism → Worship of action, dynamism, and totalitarianism.
- Conservative Revolution + racial theories → Nazi totalitarianism.
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