Information Related to "Extreme Right Reappears in Central Europe"
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Extreme Right Reappears in Central EuropeA disillusionment with democracy and worries about immigrants are fueling the growth of right-wing parties.by Melvin RhodesInternational fears of a fascist revival followed Austria's announcement that Jorg Haider's Freedom Party would be joining the conservative coalition government of Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel. Demonstrations in major European cities followed the announcement in spite of the charismatic Haider's refusal of a Cabinet post for himself. Even his subsequent resignation as leader one month later was only seen as a tactical move and could result in forcing an election that might give his party a boost and speed his way to leadership of this central European nation. Haider has previously shown some sympathy for those involved in the country's Nazi past, while accusations of xenophobia accompany the Freedom Party's stance on immigration and the European Union. Is this the start of a fascist revival in Europe? Europeans have not forgotten that another charismatic Austrian almost 70 years ago led his political party to victory in neighboring Germany, heralding the birth of the Third Reich and plunging the world into the Second World War. Adolf Hitler was eventually defeated by the Western allies, but not before tens of millions of people died. Three dominant ideologies of the 20th century all began in Europe. Fascism and communism (together with the more moderate socialism) followed the collapse of the centuries old established order that fell apart in the aftermath of World War I. The 1914-18 war was the single most defining moment of modern European history. The rival powers that went to war following the assassination of the Austrian heir to the throne inadvertently destroyed themselves. The age of monarchy seemed dead. With the collapse of the old order new ideologies emerged. Communism had taken over in Russia, with attempts to establish communist governments elsewhere in Europe and fears of further revolutions to follow. Read the full article at www.wnponline.org/wnp/wnp0003/eruope.htmRelated Information on UCG Sites:
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