EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Understanding fascism is the first step in preventing its rise

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Book cover

How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them

By Jason Stanley

A clear analysis of the ten pillars of fascist politics, and how they function in the modern world.

Book cover

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

By Timothy Snyder

A practical guide to recognizing and resisting the signs of authoritarianism.

Book cover

The Origins of Totalitarianism

By Hannah Arendt

A comprehensive analysis of the rise of Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, exploring how totalitarian movements gain and maintain power.

DOCUMENTARIES

The Dictator's Playbook poster

The Dictator’s Playbook: Hitler

PBS

This episode examines how Adolf Hitler seized power and built a fascist state, highlighting propaganda, nationalism, and suppression of dissent.

Watch Now

Documentary poster

Nazi Town, USA

PBS

Explores historical American fascist movements and draws parallels to contemporary political trends.

Watch Now

The Authoritarians poster

The Authoritarians

YouTube (Independent)

Based on Dr. Bob Altemeyer’s research, this documentary explores the psychology of authoritarianism — and how it enables anti-democratic movements to thrive.

Watch Now

https://theauthoritarians.org/

ARTICLES AND ACADEMIC PAPERS

"The 14 Early Warning Signs of Fascism"

By Laurence W. Britt

Free Inquiry, Spring 2003

The original research that identified common patterns across seven historical fascist regimes.

Read the Paper

"Ur-Fascism"

By Umberto Eco

The New York Review of Books, 1995

Eco's famous essay defining the 14 common features of fascist ideology.

Read Ur-Fascism

"The Five Stages of Fascism"

By Robert O. Paxton

The Journal of Modern History, 1998

A scholarly analysis of how fascist movements progress from fringe movements to state power.

Read The Five Stages of Fascism

HISTORICAL SITES AND MUSEUMS

Museum photo

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Washington, D.C., USA

Provides a comprehensive history of the Holocaust and features exhibits on the warning signs of fascism.

Visit Website
Museum photo

Topography of Terror

Berlin, Germany

Documentation center located on the site of former SS and Gestapo headquarters, showing how fascism took hold in Germany.

Visit Website
Museum photo

Museo della Shoah

Rome, Italy

Chronicles the rise of fascism in Italy and its consequences for Italian Jews and other minorities.

Visit Website

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

PDF icon

Classroom Guide: Understanding Fascism

A comprehensive guide for educators teaching students about fascism, including lesson plans and activities.

Download PDF
PDF icon

Printable Warning Signs Poster

A simple poster of the warning signs of fascism for classroom or community display.

Download PDF
PDF icon

Discussion Guide: Recognizing and Responding to Warning Signs

A guide for community discussions about identifying and responding to authoritarian tendencies.

Download PDF

GET INVOLVED

Democracy requires active participation. Here are some ways you can help protect democratic institutions:

Vote icon

Participate in all elections at local, state, and national levels.

Educate icon

Share information about democratic values and historical lessons with your community.

Engage icon

Attend community meetings, contact representatives, and participate in civil society.

Support icon

Donate to and volunteer with organizations that protect civil liberties and human rights.