The fasces was a Roman symbol of power carried before magistrates, generals and state officials. It consisted of a bundle of stick symbolising flagellation, and an axe symbolising death penalty. When chosen as a symbol by the Italian fascists it was not to hint at collectivism, but to show that they took upon themselves the right to use violence ... which they certainly did.
Roman Lictors carrying fasces.
Erhmm.. the whole Washington complex is built in Roman style :) Fasces on buildings from the baroque and later is not at all uncommen. It means (also here) that this is the seat of power (and the right to administer corporeal punishment.)
Yes. They were copying the style. At some point you'll have to accept that not all facts fit your ridiculous beliefs.
The fasces is used a lot of places, not least in the US were the connection between the Roman republic and the US republic have been an important symbolic link. The examples of the fasces as decoration in the US is often before the fascist even adopted the symbol, so I would say that is kind of heavy evidence that they do not have anything to do with fascism.
Fascism is very hard to pinpoint as they really did not have any real program, but one of the few things they were sure about was to oppose collectivism and communism. They did want a strong state, and they were anti-individualist - that is correct, but they did not want collectivism, and fought it violently from the very beginning.
The fascist movement was in the twenties, so I am talking more about WWI. The first fascist factions was mostly made up by veterans, and what they wanted was not collectivism, but what you today would call a military dictatorship.
Haha, OK, that fascism. :)