Fascism in Italy

Mussolini's Rise to Power 1915: France and Britain had promised Italy Austro-Hungarian territories. Italy recieves some, the others territories become Yugoslavia. Inspired by the revolutions in Russia peasants siezed lands and went on strike Taxes rose, and the government became powerless. Mussolini's Rise to Power

A Leader Emerges Benito Mussolini Was fiery and charismatic 1919- Mussolini organizes veterans in the Fascist Party Named after “fasces”, bundled sticks wrapped around an axe; in ancient Rome it was a sign of unity and authority. Promised to end corruption A Leader Emerges

Mussolini Gains Control Organized “combat squads” known as Black Shirts, party militants. Used intimidation and terror to oust elected officials in northern Italy 1922- March on Rome; thousands swarm Rome. Mussolini is given power from King Victor Emmanuel III on October 30, 1922 Mussolini Gains Control

Mussollini's Rule 1925, takes the name Il Duce, The Leader. 1929- gains support from the Pope by accepting Vatican City as a separate state. Italy is a dictatorship ran by terror Censorship Rigged Elections Secret Police Critics thrown in prison, forced into exile or murdered. Mussollini's Rule

State Control of the Economy Brings economy under state control, yet preserves captialism. Representatives of labor, government and the Fascist party controlled industry, agriculture, and trade. Favors upper class and industrial leaders. Production increases at the cost of the workers State Control of the Economy

The Individual and the State The state was all important, and the individual was unimportant except as a member of the state. Men- pushed to be ruthless warriors for Italy. Children – were shaped for the future Torchlight parades, chanting “Mussolini is always right” Women- “win the battle of motherhood” Women who had more then 14 children were given a medal by Mussolini himself. The Individual and the State

The Nature of Fascism Totalitarian State One party dictatorship attempt to regulate every aspect of the lives of its citizens. First of it's kind Hitler and Stalin follow in nature The Nature of Fascism

What is Fascism? Fascism Any centeralized, authoritarian government that is not communist whose policies glorify the state over the individual and are destructive to basic human rights. Has no unifying theory Extreme Nationalism and blind loyalty to the state Aggressive foreign expanism and violence Antidemocratic What is Fascism?

The Appeal of Fascism Promises a strong, stable government. Revives national pride Newspapers in Britain, France, and North America compliment the discipline and order of the government. The Appeal of Fascism

Fascism Compared to Communism Fascist Nationalist Goals Defined Classes Allies in business leaders, wealthy land owners. Communism International Goals Classless Society Support from urband and agricultural workers Fascism Compared to Communism

Fascism Compared to Communism Both had much in common though Require blind devotion to the state A charismatic leader Used terror to guard their power Flourish during econmic hard times Promote extreme programs of social change Claims to rule in the name of national interest Fascism Compared to Communism

Looking Ahead Three Systems of government competed for influence Democracy Britain France Communism Russia Fascism Italy Germany Looking Ahead