Fascism in Italy: Ch. 28, Sec. 3 1915 – Allies promised land to Italy – they didn’t get it Italy outraged Workers went on strike No jobs, no trade, high taxes Weak government – no end to crisis

From the turmoil in ITALY came Benito Mussolini 1919 – organized veterans & other discontents into Fascist Party Fiery charismatic speaker Promised to end corruption – bring order Reviving Roman greatness a.k.a. IL DUCE, “the leader”

MARCH ON ROME = tens of thousands of Fascists swarmed toward capital Mussolini entered city on October 30, 1922 with no resistance He is given the job of Prime Minister - leader of Italy

Mussolini’s Rule By 1925 – Suppressed rival parties Muzzled press Rigged elections Replaced officials with Fascists

Mussolini’s Rule In theory = Parliamentary Monarchy In fact = Dictatorship ruled w/terror – Write this in the margin of your paper Critics thrown in prison, exiled or murdered Secret police & propaganda bolstered regime Xxx

The Individual and the State Under Mussolin: FASCISM = Loyalty to the State is all important; not to individual goals Slogans of “Believe! Obey! Fight!” over loudspeakers & on posters

Fascist Youth Groups toughened children chanted “Mussolini is always right!” A woman’s duty was to provide the state with many children

Mussolini built the first TOTALITARIAN STATE One-party dictatorship Regulates every aspect of lives of citizens Stalin & Hitler followed this example

What is Fascism? Fascism = any centralized, authoritarian government that is not communist whose policies glorify the State over the individual and are destructive to basic human rights

The Appeal of Fascism With all those restrictions on freedom…why did it appeal to so many Italians? Strong, stable government Revive national pride End political feuding Got things done: Factories going “He go the trains running on time” “He certainly makes the trains run on time!”