Fascism in Italy

Rise of Mussolini Italy was in disorder after World War I; the government couldn’t fix the crisis In 1919, Benito Mussolini organized veterans and other discontented Italians into the Fascist party Fasces is a Latin word for a bundle of sticks wrapped around an ax, the symbol of authority in ancient Rome

Rise of Mussolini Mussolini organized his supporters into black-shirted “combat squads” who broke up socialist rallies, smashed leftist presses, and attacked farmer’s cooperatives In 1922, the Fascists made a bid for power, demanded the government make changes. Fearing civil war, King Victor Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to form a government as prime minister

Mussolini’s Italy By 1925, Mussolini assumed more power and taken the title Il Duce “The Leader” Critics were thrown into prison, exiled, or murdered The secret police and propaganda helped spread Fascism Mussolini brought the economy under state control Not socialism, he preserved capitalism through a “corporate state” Representatives of business, labor, government, and the Fascist party controlled industry, agriculture, and trade

Mussolini’s Italy To Fascists, the individual was less important than the state Mussolini called on women to “win the battle of motherhood” Fascist youth groups toughened children and taught them strict military discipline

Fascism No “real” definition for fascism because there is no single unifying set of beliefs Authoritarian government that is NOT communist Rooted in extreme nationalism Glorified blind loyalty to the state Anti-democratic Pursued aggressive foreign expansion Enemies of socialists and communists

Fascism In compared to Stalin’s Soviet Union and Hitler’s Germany: A single-party dictatorship State control of the economy Use of police spies and terror Strict censorship Use of schools and the media to mobilize citizens Unquestioning obedience to a single leader Why fascism in Italy? Promised order in a time of uncertainty Revived national pride