Post war Italy Did not get all promised land Inspired by revolution in Russia Government split into feuding factions

Benito Mussolini Socialist in early youth 1919, organized veterans and other Italians into Fascist Party Latin word fasces Ancient Rome symbolized unity and authority

Mussolini’s rise to power “Black Shirts”- party militants Used intimidation and terror Italians accepted lost faith in gov’t

March On Rome-1922 Rally in Naples  announce intention to go to Rome, demand changes King Victor Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to form gov’t as prime minister Appointment from king to lead Italy

Mussolini’s rule 1925- Il Duce Support from Pope recognized Vatican City as independent state Took economy under state control Wages low, strikes forbidden Fascist youth groups

Totalitarian state One-party dictatorship attempts to regulate every aspect of lives of its citizens Stalin and Hitler

What is Fascism? No unifying theory as Marxist Centralized, authoritarian gov’t not communist; policies glorify state over individual Destructive to basic human rights

Basic features of fascism Rooted in extreme nationalism Glorified action, violence, discipline, blind loyalty to state Aggressive foreign expansion “survival of the fittest” Antidemocratic

Fascism vs. Communism Nationalist goals Allies in business leaders, wealthy land owners, and lower middle class International change Classless society Power by inspiring blind devotion to state/leader Flourished in economic hardships Party elite claimed to rule for national interest