1. Benito Mussolini

2. Fascism Fascism can best be defined as the following: Totalitarianism
Extreme nationalism
Militarism
Anti-Communist

3. United Streaming

4. Rise of Mussolini Mussolini formed the Fascist party in 1919
Made up of disgruntled WWI veterans
Wanted to return to the “glory days” of ancient Roman Empire
Mussolini’s troops were known as “Black Shirts”

5. Rome or Death!
The Black Shirts

6. March on Rome
Mussolini and his followers marched from Naples to Rome to show their loyalty for King Victor Emmanuel
Victor Emmanuel made Mussolini Premier in 1922 to help avoid a Civil War between Communists and Fascists
Victor Emmanuel remains King of Italy, but Mussolini controls the country

7. Victor Emmanuel

8. Oppression Adopts the name Il Duce - “The Leader”
Sets up a police state, to intimidate opponents into silence
Establishes the Press Laws; all journalists must be fascists
Controls press, radio, movies and education

9. Conquest Set-up a puppet regime in Albania Controlled Libya
Conquers Ethiopia in 1936 and used chemical weapons (mustard gas and phosgene)
Helped the Spanish fascists in the Spanish Civil War

10. European Colonies
Which two European countries controlled most of North and East Africa?
How did the Italian empire compare to these empires?
Look at the position of the colonies Italy already controlled. In what way would the location of these two colonies make an invasion of Abyssinia seem like a good idea?

11. Invasion of Abysinnia
From this photo, what can you say about the kind of people Mussolini wanted in his country?
Would people be more likely to believe in and obey Mussolini if he led a successful war against another country? Explain your answer.

12. Invasion of Abysinnia Why did the invasion take place?
Why did Mussolini attack Abyssinia? Why did no one stop him? Think about these questions as you read through the historical sources. You can use this worksheet to help you with your study.
Mussolini's motives
Why did Mussolini attack Abyssinia? Choose what you think are the 3 most important reasons for the invasion of Abyssinia. Explain why you think each reason was important.
You can choose from this list or you can think of your own reasons:
To recreate the Roman Empire
To get an easy victory
To help with economic problems in Italy
To have revenge for the Italian defeat in 1896
To warn Germany
To get hold of Abyssinia’s wealth
To make up for not getting enough territory from the Treaty of Versailles in 1919
To make himself popular in Italy

13. Alliance with Hitler Signs a treaty with Hitler in 1936
Signs another treaty with Hitler in May 1939, known as the Pact of Steel
This says that they will come to each other’s aid if one is attacked
Looking Ahead:
WWII will be a disaster for Mussolini…