Nazi Germany existed roughly from 1933 to 1945.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. You are spot on to say so many in USA need a history lesson re how fascism creeps in

First, extreme views are normalized.

Then certain groups of people are declared vermin. Use this as a way to generate outrage in the Right Wing Authoritarian Followers (magats). Use that base as a solid dependable voting block.

Next, fracture the opposition or control parts of it in various ways.

With a solid base, become the single largest political unit or the most powerful, even if a minority because the opposition is split.

Get just enough support from wobbly third parties and groups to get operational power.

Use power to get more power, reducing limits steadily. Squeeze until there is no effective opposition. Torture. Extra-judicial killings. Violent militias.

Rule with an iron fist.