Fascism vs. Communism
Text and Writing Activity
Standards Alignment
Text
Fascism vs. Communism Venn Diagram
Text Quotes and Response Writing Activity
Standards Alignment
California State Standards for Grade 10
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10.3 Students analyze the effects of the Industrial Revolution in England, France, Germany, Japan, and the United States.
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6. Analyze the emergence of capitalism as a dominant economic pattern and the responses to it, including
Utopianism, Social Democracy, Socialism, and Communism.
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10.6 Students analyze the effects of the First World War.
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3. Understand the widespread disillusionment with prewar institutions, authorities, and values that resulted in a
void that was later filled by totalitarians.
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10.7 Students analyze the rise of totalitarian governments after World War I.
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3. Analyze the rise, aggression, and human costs of totalitarian regimes (Fascist and Communist) in Germany, Italy,
and the Soviet Union, noting especially their common and dissimilar traits.
Common Core Reading Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
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RH 1 - Cite specific textual evidence to support analysis of primary and secondary sources, attending to such features as
the date and origin of the information.
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RH 2 - Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how
key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.
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RH 3 - Analyze in detail a series of events described in a text; determine whether earlier events caused later ones or simply
preceded them.
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RH 4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political,
social, or economic aspects of history/social studies.
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RH 5 - Analyze how a text uses structure to emphasize key points or advance an explanation or analysis.
Common Core Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Science for Grades 9 & 10 Students:
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WHST 1 - Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content.
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a. Introduce precise claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization
that establishes clear relationships among the claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence.
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c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the
relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and
counterclaims.
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d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the
discipline in which they are writing.
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e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from or supports the argument presented.
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WHST 2 - Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/
experiments, or technical processes.
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a. Introduce a topic and organize ideas, concepts, and information to make important connections and
distinctions; include formatting (e.g., headings), graphics (e.g., figures, tables), and multimedia when useful to
aiding comprehension.
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b. Develop the topic with well-chosen, relevant, and sufficient facts, extended definitions, concrete details,
quotations, or other information and examples appropriate to the audience’s knowledge of the topic.
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d. Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to manage the complexity of the topic and convey a style
appropriate to the discipline and context as well as to the expertise of likely readers.
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e. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the
discipline in which they are writing.
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f. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the information or explanation
presented (e.g., articulating implications or the significance of the topic).
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WHST 4 - Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task,
purpose, and audience.
Fascism vs. Communism
What is fascism?
Fascism (FASH•IHZ•uhm) is a militant political movement that emphasizes loyalty to the state and
obedience to its leader. Unlike communism, fascism has no clearly defined theory or program.
Nevertheless, most Fascists share several ideas. They preach an extreme form of nationalism, or loyalty to
one’s country.
What do fascists believe?
Fascists believe nations must struggle and that peaceful states are doomed to be conquered. They
pledge loyalty to an authoritarian leader who guides and brings order to the state. Fascists also wear
uniforms of a certain color, use special salutes, and hold mass rallies.
Similarities between fascism and communism
In some ways, fascism is similar to communism. Both fascists and communists are ruled by dictators
who allow only their own political party (one-party rule). Both fascists and communists deny individual
rights and believe the state is supreme. Neither practice any kind of democracy.
Differences between fascism and communism
However, unlike communists, fascists do not seek a classless society; rather, they believe that each
class has its place and function. In most cases, fascist parties are made up of aristocrats and the middle
class, whereas communists are made of the working class (AKA proletariats). Also, fascists are nationalists
and communists are internationalists, hoping to unite workers worldwide.
Fascism vs. Communism – Similarities and Differences
Fascism
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Fascism
Fascism and Communism
Key characteristics
they share
Fascism vs. Communism – Similarities and Differences
Fascism
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Fascism
Fascism and Communism
Key characteristics
they share
Fascism vs. Communism – Similarities and Differences
Fascism
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Communism
Key characteristics
different than
Fascism
- No clearly defined
Theory or program
- Clearly defined theory
or program (Marxism)
Fascism and Communism
- Each class has its
Place and function
- Made up of
Aristocrats and
Middle class
Key characteristics
they share
- Ruled by dictators
- One party rule
- Nationalists
- Denies individual rights
- State is supreme
- Classless society
- Made up of
Proletariat
- Internationalists
Fascism vs. Communism
What is Fascism?
The text explains what fascism is and the similarities and differences between fascism and communism.
Paragraph 1: Notes from reading.
Paragraph 1: Response to reading.
“Fascism is a militant political movement that
_______________________________________
______________________________________.”
From these quotes I learned ________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
“Fascists preach an extreme form of __________ ________________________________________
______________________________________.”
What do Fascists Believe?
Paragraph 2: Notes from reading.
“Fascists believe nations must _______________ These quotes explain ______________________
______________________________________.” ________________________________________
________________________________________
“They pledge loyalty to an authoritarian _______ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________.
______________________________________.”
Similarities Between Fascism and
Communism
Paragraph 3: Notes from reading.
Differences Between Fascism and Communism
Paragraph 2: Response to reading.
Paragraph 3: Response to reading.
“Both fascists and communists are ruled by ____ These details help me understand ___________
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________. ________________________________________
________________________________________
“Both fascists and communists deny __________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________.
______________________________________.”
Paragraph 4: Notes from reading.
“However, unlike communists, fascists do not
seek __________________________________.
_______________________________________
______________________________________.”
Paragraph 4: Response to reading.
Reading this made me realize _______________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
“Also, fascists are _________________________ ________________________________________
_______________________________________ _______________________________________.
______________________________________.”
Compare and Contrast Single-Paragraph Summary
Fascist and Communist Totalitarian Governments
Identifying the topic
The two systems of
government that
 created totalitarian regimes in Europe after WWI
were
___________________________
 were instrumental in the formation of totalitarian
and
regimes in Europe after WWI were
 produced successful totalitarian regimes in
__________________________.
Europe after WWI were
Identifying key details
Two similarities
between
____________________
and
 that both believe
___________________________
 that both view
___________________________
 that both consider
___________________________
and both
____________________
are
___________________________
___________________________
Including key details
Including key details
___________________________
Although
____________________
and
____________________
have some similar
characteristics,
 they are
_________________
different
_________________
because fascists
_________________
 they differ
because fascists
_________________
communists
 ,while
communists
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
Another difference is
that
____________________
 ,whereas
(believe, espouse, promote)
 ,while on the other hand
___________________
 ,while conversely
 ,while
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
___________________
_______________________________
___________________
_______________________________
___________________
_______________________________
___________________
Conclusion sentence
 ,whereas
 In closing,
 In conclusion,
 In summation,
 while fascists and communists share some
similar beliefs
 although fascists and communists are similar
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________
_______________________________