2. The Rise of Fascism in Italy Benito Mussolini 1923-1943

3. Goals of Fascism: Attack and destroy Liberalism – to undo the legacy of the Enlightenment and the French Revolution and eradicate the growing threat of Marxism Create a new era in history – a new civilization not based on individual rights or collective humanity, but “recognizing the bond of blood that would unite and regenerate a nation.”

4. Compare Liberal democracy with Fascism: Liberalism and the spirit of the Enlightenment promoted… Use of reason & logic Intelligent discussion Critical analysis Fascism praised… Feeling, emotion, instinct, desire and will Fascism glorified action; praised brutal and primitive impulses

5. The “duplicity” of Fascism- dictatorship of the Right Drew support from the lower & middle classes – all those frightened by Marxism Real power was from the ruling elites- property owners who wanted no interference with their private property.

6. - post-war unrest in Italy Humiliated by the Paris Peace Treaty On the verge of economic collapse Widespread unemployment Treasury was empty Food shortages Inflation Labor war-strikes and lockouts

7. Fascism was born amid crisis Italian govt was weak and divided Veterans seized land Workers took over factories Tenant-peasants did not pay their rents Marxists & Socialists were gaining in popularity

8. Mussolini presented himself as an answer March 1919- organized jobless veterans into terror squads of black- shirted “Fascisti” – beat up striking workers and their liberal supporters, destroyed union headquarters, disrupted meetings, planted bombs and harassed socialist officials

9. - Mussolini’s failure: As dictator, he never established the totalitarian state like Stalin or Hitler… To his credit, he hesitated to use the ruthless methods of the Nazis and Soviets

10. Biographical sketch: 1883-1945 Trouble-maker in school, but ranked 1 st on final exams in four subjects 1901-Elementary school teacher 1902- Editor of Socialist newspaper - Switzerland to avoid military service 1911-1915 arrested & jailed 11 times 1915 Joins the army 1919- Organized the Fascist Party

11. -October 1922: “The March on Rome” Socialist & Unionists called for a General Strike King Emanuel III appointed Mussolini premier and gave him emergency powers

12. Nationalism gone wild Propaganda urged the restoration of the Roman Empire Idealized life without crime, poverty or social turmoil Slogan: Believe! Obey! Fight!

13. -The Corporate State The Fascist way of dealing with the tension between and ownership worker : Abolished labor unions, prohibited strikes and allowed the corporation to work for the best solutions

14. The Axis powers: Nov 1, 1936, The Rome-Berlin Axis June 10, 1940, Mussolini joined with Nazi Germany declaring war on Britain and France Neither man survived the conflict they started

15. Mussolini’s inglorious end…

16. Any Questions?