Fascism on the Rise:Italy

Objective 1: Describe how conditions in Italy favored the rise of Mussolini

Objective 2: Understand the values and goals of fascist ideology

Weak Alliances+

Weak Governments+

Weak Economies=

DICTATORSHIPS & TOTALITARIANISM

Fascism on the Rise• Def: Any centralized, authoritarian

government that is not communist whose policies glorify the state (extreme nationalism) over the individual and are destructive to human rights. It is anti-democratic, anti-parliamentary and often anti-Semitic.– Wanted no conflict by class or party and held only

a single national purpose– The needs of the state outweigh the needs of the

individual– Use fear and police surveillance to keep control

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

• Began the party in 1919 along with others (veterans, etc..) who were resentful that Italy had been “cheated” in Paris– Used fear of Communism and

promises of peace to gain support

– “Black Shirts” as intimidation– Played up Italian nationalism

to gain support

Gaining Control • Mussolini created the “Black Shirts”, who were

militants in the fascist party, wanted violent action instead of a democratic process

• Broke up socialist rallies, smashed leftist presses, etc…

• Intimidation in Northern Italy caused elected officials to leave

• Actions accepted by many Italians who lost faith in their constitutional government

The March on Rome

• 1921 elections sent 34 fascists to the gov’t– October of 1922 Mussolini and the Fascists

marched on Rome and King Victor Emmanuel III

– November 23 1922 king and parliament granted Mussolini dictatorial authority for one year to bring order to local government

Fascist Ita

By 1926:“Il duce”• One party system• Heavy Fascist

propaganda• Secret Police created

to enforce gov’t. rule• Freedom of speech

eliminated

• "Benito Mussolini loves children a lot. The children of Italy love the Duce a lot. Long live Il Duce !. A salute to Il Duce: Here's to us!".

State over the Individual - Propaganda

“The function of a citizen and a soldier are inseparable”

“It is the State which educates its citizens in civic virtue, gives them a consciousness of their mission and welds them into unity.”

The Black BrigadesReady, Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow. Fighting for the honor of Italy