00:00 Fascism is a specific historical movement rooted in the aftermath of World War I, characterized by a sense of victimhood, rejection of democracy, opposition to communism, and a desire for national rebirth through violence and technology.

04:41 Fascists, particularly the Nazis, rejected core Christian ideas such as the belief in universal human dignity and equality, and their actions have led to a decline in institutional Christianity since World War II, with Hitler and the Nazis becoming a moral yardstick for what is considered good. The origins of fascism can be traced back to Italy, where Mussolini drew inspiration from ancient Rome and its symbolism of strength and unity, combining it with modern iconography to define fascism. Mussolini is considered the first successful fascist leader, but Gabriele Danuncio is seen as a precursor to Mussolini, embodying many of the themes associated with fascism.

09:25 Mussolini introduced many iconic fascist elements, such as the Roman salute and black shirts, while Hitler's perspective on ancient history fused with modern ideas of Darwinism and Nordic race superiority, leading to the excision of Christianity in fascism.

14:04 Fascism combines old myths with a dream of a new world, and while it may have had some allure and glamour in the early 20th century, it didn't have the moral taint it gained after Hitler came to power; uniforms were important in creating a sense of belonging and identity for fascists.

18:21 The allure and fascination with fascist uniforms, as well as the influence of modernism and literary aesthetics, explain why many intelligent people, including poets and philosophers, were attracted to fascism.

22:53 Fascism is not present in any contemporary regimes, as it was a specific historical phenomenon that ended with World War II, and leaders like Vladimir Putin and Salazar and Franco do not fit the definition of fascism.

27:09 Fascism often appeals to lower middle class or upper working class individuals as an antidote to communism, and it emerged in a climate of violence where democratic and liberal means of settling differences were not available, leading to a mutual relationship between fascists and communists in undermining the liberal order. Fascism is seen as the worst political movement in history because it goes against Christian values and promotes the crushing of the weak and racism, which is more offensive than communism's utopian ideals.

31:37 Fascism is often associated with violence and the lack of democratic and liberal means of settling differences, and there is a double standard in how Nazi memorabilia is perceived compared to KGB memorabilia in Britain.

36:04 German fascism are drawing on classical Roman and Greek influences, but the ideology and values of fascism, particularly the racialization and rejection of Christianity, would be foreign and incomprehensible to a Roman from the first century AD.

40:55 Fascism draws on a sense of history and historians play a role in enabling fascism through their myth-making and collaboration with fascist ideologies.