I have just been looking through a copy of Whitakers Almanac for 1941 (soon to be offered for sale). The "Events for the year (Nov 1 39 to Oct 31 40)" starts with details for "The War Against Hitlerism". This is the first time I have come across the term - do any other members have any other instances of the use of this term? Noel
There's a (post-war) esoteric/occult belief in Hitler as a supernatural entity who was deified after his suicide. Esoteric Hitlerism. Less specifically, I would assume that it's a way of differentiating Nazi fascism from other brands of fascism, in the way that there are dozens of flavours of Communism named after the particular thinker you follow: Marxism, Leninism, Trotskyism, Maoism, Dengism etc.
Hitlerism ˈhɪtlərɪz(ə)m/ noun the political principles or policies of Hitler or the Nazi party in Germany 1933–45. "the rise of Hitlerism in Germany" From Google
Some forum uses: Starkey & Beevor Hitlerite obsession Roosevelt speech: Speeches from World War Two The sadly-departed brndrt/Clint uses the term: Hitler's Biggest Mistake Soviet tribute to an airman: Wing Commander Brendan Finucane, D.S.O., D.F.C. & 2 Bars Maoism. McCarthyism. Blairism. Thatcherism. Stalinism. There may be overriding 'philosophies', but often the specific views & policies of the leader, or other defining group, requires its own terminology. Certainly in use in the 40s it seems, though hardly popular. 'Nazism' has so much more bite.
Wondering is it was a term more favoured by Soviet sources. They certainly like a bit of ism, and it's interesting on a light Google how it chimes alongside certain possibly left-leaning contemporary sources. (I say possibly, as this seems to relate to 'Un-American' hearings) Hearings Looks like a fun read from 1932: (Does actually look quite interesting. Pseudonym of Louis Leo Snyder )
I imagine 'Hitlerism' avoided the elephant in the room when trying to explain National Socialism was right-wing and 'nothing at all to do with us'.