Fascism comes from the Italian word Fasci which means "union", "league", or "band." This term has been used by Italian radical bands since 1870. This term was first adopted by Mussolini. This form of government arose in the early twentieth century in Europe and was mainly confined to that region. It is the philosophy or system of government that advocates or exercises the dictatorship of the extreme right, with state and business leadership merging together. It is also characterized by aggressive nationalism. Under this government, everyone works for the benefit of the community or nation. Fascism can be associated with totalitarianism and organized terror. These characteristics are most recognized in the regimes of Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. Although both were dictatorships, each initially gained their power through some democratic means. Ironically, the real aim of fascism was to destroy all democratic rights. The rise of the Hitler and Mussolini and their differences are analyzed on the next few pages.