"Fascism" really just means that people are unhappy with the current situation and want change.
The meaning has changed significantly over the years. I understand that the original intent came from the Fasci Siciliani in the 1890s. Fasci meaning a bundle. The single stick is weak, but a bundle is strong. It was a farmers' movement seeking economic and land reforms. Later, it was invoked by a certain populist leader to claim he was fighting for the people. And so it came into its modern usage.
My great grandfather was killed on January 3, 1894 in the street in that uprising when the police fired into an unarmed crowd. His wife fled to New York City with their children.