The Rise of Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini ( )

Problems after WWI 460,000 soldiers killed Heavy debt Britain and France did not give Italy the land they promised Governments were all coalitions that couldn’t make decisions: –(proportional representation) Rising unemployment led to unrest in cities

The Treaty of Versailles Italians believed that it treated them badly. Italy had not been given the land promised at the Secret Treaty of London. Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

What is fascism? A system of government with centralized authority under a dictator. Usually involves terror, censorship, militarism, nationalism, and racism.

Benito Mussolini (El Duce)

Mussolini gains power Mussolini set up a Fascist Party and promised to solve Italy’s problems Promised to rebuild Italy and recreate the old Roman Empire –Control the Mediterranean Organized armed gangs called the “Blackshirts” Came to power in 1922 and was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor Emmanuel to prevent a Communist Revolution in Italy

1922 March on Rome to establish Mussolini and the Fascist Party as the most important party in Italy In 1921 the fascist parties in Italy joined together to form the Fascist Party Mussolini said this at a party conference: "Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome."

March on Rome, 1922

Quote “Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism as it is a merge of state and corporate power.”~ Benito Mussolini Fascis m concei ves of the State s an absolut e, in compar ison with

Fascism under Mussolini

Quote “Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived in their relation to the State.” ~Benito Mussolini

Mussolini and Hitler Hitler and Mussolini had a tense relationship at first but became close later. In October 1936 they signed a non-military alliance. Mussolini signed a full defensive alliance with Nazi Germany in the Pact of Steel.

Italy during WWII Mussolini during WWII Mussolini intended to annex Malta, Corsica, and Tunis. He wanted to create a “New Roman Empire.” He annexed Albania, straining the military. His troops were unprepared for the German invasion of Poland. Italy remained neutral.

Italy during WWII cont’d Italy soon declared war on Britain and France but troops were unprepared. It was defeated by Greece and lost the world’s first carrier strike. Italy was defeated on all fronts of the Anglo-American & Canadian landings. Mussolini

Quote from Mussolini’s speech in Rome February 23, 1941 “We are not like the English. We boast that we are not like them. We haven't elevated lying into a government art nor into a narcotic for the people the way the London government has done…when the enemy wins a battle it is useless and ridiculous to seek, as the English do in their incomparable hypocrisy, to deny or diminish it.”

Propaganda postcard of Mussolini

Mussolini’s Execution Mussolini was taken prisoner by the partisans and was joined by his mistress, Clara Petacci. A few days later they were shot to death. In April of 1945, their bodies were hung at an Esso gas station along with the bodies of other fascist leaders. Mussolini and his mistress

1)What were some of the problems that Italy faces after WWI? 2)Why did Italians feel betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles? 3)What is fascism, and how did Mussolini gain control of the Italian government? 4)How did Italy fare during WWII? 5)What happened to Mussolini? Questions