How to Teach Kids About Fascism
Fascism is a political ideology that places the interests of individual citizens behind the interests of the state. This form of nationalism was employed by Nazi Germany and Italy under Benito Mussolini and was a main cause for World War II. Because fascism has played a large role in world history and remains in practice today, it is important kids learn lessons about what fascism is.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Provide them a basic definition of fascism. Tell them fascism is a way of thinking in which leaders of governments try to take away the rights of citizens in order to gain control over them.
-
2
Tell them some common rights taken away can include the freedoms of speech, expression and religion. Explain to them these rights are important because they help give everyone a say in the way their government works and let them do whatever they want as long as they do not harm others.
-
-
3
Explain the use of propaganda which is often associated with fascism. Tell them propaganda is giving large groups of people incorrect information in order to make them behave a certain way. Tell the kids fascist leaders use this propaganda to make people believe losing their rights is in the interest of the entire group.
-
4
Teach the kids about World War II. Explain to them that Adolf Hitler used Fascism to gain control of Germany and become a dictator, that another leader, Benito Mussonlini, did the same thing in Italy and many people believe Japan also used fascism. Tell them the United States and other countries fought the war to save people in those countries and the rest of the world from fascism.
-
5
Incorporate discussion about the world today in the lesson. Tell them while no countries currently use fascism quite like Germany, Italy and Japan used to, some leaders around the world still want to use fascism.
-
6
Have them read the Bill of Rights. Go over the rights with them and ask them if they can point out some of the ways the Bill of Rights protects the United States from fascism. In the lesson, explain how important it is to watch out for any violation of these basic rights to avoid fascism in the future.
-
1
More Like This
Comments
-
This article is heavily biased. The author of this article was obviously anti-fascist, probably democratic. If one is teaching kids about an ideology, one should give pure facts, and let the kids formulate their own opinions. Some major problems: Don't tell them the importance of freedom of speech and religion. If they want to talk about anything they want, they will naturally support freedom of speech and religion. Propaganda is not feeding the public incorrect information. Propaganda is painting a portrait of your ideas and publicizing them in a convincing manner, the same way you do in a debate.
-
helped soo much , thank you!
-
helps alot
-
411314
Jun 05, 2009
"Tell them the United States and other countries fought the war to save people in those countries and the rest of the world from fascism."As a citizen of the United States myself, I'm pretty sure the only reason my country fought the war was because Japan attacked us first."Have them read the Bill of Rights. Go over the rights with them and ask them if they can point out some of the ways the Bill of Rights protects the United States from fascism."Does it? I've read some fascist countries have Constitutions that say their people are legally gauranteed certain rights. The Chinese Constitution, for instance, promises freedom of religion, but in reality Chinese people don't have that right.
