The underlying ideology that fueled the rise of fascism in Europe during the early 20th century was rooted in extreme nationalism and anti-communism. Key figures like Benito Mussolini in Italy and later Adolf Hitler in Germany espoused beliefs emphasizing the superiority of the state over the individual, promoting militarism and authoritarian governance. Fascism rejected democratic ideals and sought to create a unified national identity, often through aggressive expansionism and the suppression of dissent. Economic turmoil following World War I exacerbated social unrest, leading many to embrace fascism as a solution to instability, thus shaping Europe's political landscape intensely.