Fascism In Italy Rise of Mussolini Ms. Garratt

Post WWI Problems  Italian nat’lists felt betrayed by Paris peace treaties. –Yugoslavia  Veterans returned to econ & pol chaos –Strikes –Unemployment –Conflict between workers & industry –Feuding political factions  Mussolini responds to these problems by creating the Fascist party

What is Fascism?  Extreme form of aggressive nationalism  Anti-democratic  Anti-communist  Race used to justify aggression & Social Darwinism.  Individuals subservient to the state.  Children were indoctrinated  Strict obedience. demanded

Mussolini – Il Duce  Organized the Fascist party  Spoke of reviving Roman glory  Organized “black shirts” (combat gangs)which used violence & terror against political opponents such as communists.

Black Shirts – Pre 1922

Black Shirts 1922

Mussolini’s Black Shirts After 1922

March on Rome 1922  Demands change in gov  King succumbs  Allows him to become the prime minister

Mussolini’s “Totalitarian” Italy –Single party Dictatorship –State terrorism & police spies –Use of schools & media for indoctrination –State control of the econ –Censorship –Demands absolute obedience

Corporate State: Economic Policy  Economy was under state control.  His “corporate state” preserved some elements of capitalism but policy was forged with representatives from business, labor & the fascist gov.  The economy did show improvement.  This came at labor’s expense as strikes were outlawed & wages dropped.

Social Policies  Citizens were bombarded with slogans glorifying the state & Musso.  “Believe, obey, fight” were blasted from loudspeakers.  “A minute on the battlefield is worth a lifetime of peace” was the fascist position.  Women were expected to be “baby machines”  Women who bore 14 or more children were rewarded w/ medals from Musso himself.

Similarities of Communism & Fascism  Both flourished during difficult economic times.  Both promoted extreme programs of social change.  Both had totalitarian governments to bring about a social revolution.  Both were dictatorships.  The USSR, Italy, Japan & Germany were all totalitarian regimes.

Totalitarianism  Single party dictatorship.  (2) State controlled economy.  (3) Use of spies & state terrorism.  (4) Strict censorship & control of the media.  (5) Use of schools & media to indoctrinate & mobilize citizens.  (6) Civil rights are sacrificed for strict obedience to the state.  (7) War & militarism are glorified

Mussolini & Totalitarianism  Musso built the 1 st totalitarian state which was never as extreme as Germany’s or Soviet Unions.  What was its appeal? –Promised strong, stable gov & to end political feuding which had paralyzed democracy. –Nationalism appealed to many – revived nat’l pride –Promised to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire by turning the Mediterranean into a Roman lake. –Projected sense of power during times of despair & disorder

For more information of totalitarianism go to

Three Ideologies  Three ideologies vied for power during the postwar years. –Democracy in Brit & Fr was challenged by difficult economic challenges & labor. –Communism in USSR – attractive to some workers but seen as a threat to capitalist govs –Fascism in Germ & Italy attractive for its appeal to national unity & patriotism. As the Great Depression deepens fascist ideology will become more attractive.

Female Fascist Youth Group

Catholic Church Supports Mussolini

The Black Shirts. What Art Form is this?