The word itself comes from the Italian word fascio, meaning a bundle of firewood tied strongly about an axe. These pieces of firewood are weak on their own, but together they are strong, alike a union (one of many words and images 'borrowed' from the Left). Initially, Fascism was only tied to the Italian movement by Benito Mussolini (a former socialist) who transformed the young and vulnerable democracy of Italy into a ‘fascist’ state. This first fascist state had core elements, such as initial support by business interests, the Church and other elite groups, yet an appeal to the proletarian masses, an ideological nostalgia for earlier, 'purer' times, a corporative economy and a mandatory loyalty to the state. The state, above all was the important aspect of Italian Fascism as no loyalty for the fascist citizen, whether religious or political, was to come before the state.

The Great Depression served as a catalyst for these fascist movements.