1. Benito Mussolini

2. I. Background Son of a blacksmith B. Pre-Power Jobs 1. Teacher
2. Day laborer
3. Editor of Newspapers
A) Avanit (Forward) – fired for supporting Italy’s support of the Allies during WWI
4. Soldier
5. Politician – Fasci Party

3. II. Post WWI Italy
People are upset that Italy did not get everything they were promised for joining the war
Parliament had stopped working during WWI
Afterwards it could not deal with problems
Division of parties
Socialists v. Catholic Popular Party
Both cater to the working class
Don’t cooperate causing gridlock

4. III. Mussolini’s Climb to Power
Starts to sympathize with the upper and middle class
Want order and resources
Takes Action
Uses goon tactics
Attack strikers
Fascists control local government in Italy
Election of 1921
Fascists gain 35 seats in Parliament – Mussolini is one
March to Rome – October 1922
Black Shirts March on Rome
King Victor Emanuel refuses to stop them
Cabinet resigns to protest
King asks Mussolini to be Prime Minister

5. IV. Mussolini in Power November 23, 1922 Mussolini in Power
King and Parliament grant Mussolini dictatorial power for one year to reorganize govt.
Mussolini in Power
Election law changed
1. Party with largest popular vote gets 2/3 of Parliament seats
Fascists win
1924 – Fascists kill Matteotti – leading opponent
Laws passed by non-Fascist dominated Parliament in 1925/1926 to rule by decree
All political parties except fascists are dissolved
Mussolini seen as a savior against Bolshevism

6. V. Fascism The Symbol of Fascism is the Fasces
Symbolized capital punishment under the Caesar
Elements
Extreme Nationalism
Imperialism
One party rule
Dictatorship
Increase the Italian population
Medals for # of Births
Against communism, democracy, and socialism