1. Section 3 Chp. 17 Fascism in Italy
How did conditions in Italy favor the rise of Mussolini?
How did Mussolini reshape Italy?
What were the values and goals of fascist ideology?

2. Setting the Scene
“I hated politics and politicians,” said Italo Balbo. Like many Italian veterans of World War I , he had come home to a land of economic chaos and political corruption. Italy’s constitutional government, he felt “had betrayed the hopes of soldiers, reducing Italy to a shameful peace.” Disgusted and angry, Balbo rallied behind a fierce nationalist, Benito Mussolini
Mussolini’s rise to power in the 1920’s served as a model for ambitious strongmen elsewhere in Europe

3. Rise of Mussolini
Italians were upset after the Peace of Paris, they had been promised land to join the allies and now that land became the country of Yugoslavia
Peasants seized land, workers went on strike or seized factories, the country was in chaos
Veterans had no jobs after defending their country at war
Trade declined and taxes rose
The government broke into factions, small groups, and was unable to come to any agreement on how to solve the problems.

4. A Leader Emerges
Benito Mussolini who was the son of a socialist blacksmith and a teacher had been a socialist him self but rejected those beliefs for intense nationalism, he became the new voice of the Italians
He organized the Fascist party in 1919, made up of veterans and discontented citizens
Fascist comes from the Latin word fasces or a bundle of sticks wrapped around an ax, a symbol of authority in ancient Rome.
A fiery speaker he promised to end corruption and replace turmoil with order
Spoke of reviving Roman greatness pledging to turn the Mediterranean into a “Roman Lake” once again

5. Seizing Power
Mussolini’s supporters were called Black Shirts they were organized into “combat squads” which broke up socialist rallies, smashed leftist presses, and attacked farmers’ cooperatives
By intimidation and terror these gangs ousted officials in Northern Italy
Most citizens accepted these thug groups because they had lost all faith in the government
In 1922 at a rally in Naples the Fascists called for a “March on Rome” to demand changes, 10’s of thousands answered the call and King Victor Emmanuel III fearing Civil War asked Mussolini to form a new government
Benito Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
Without a shot fired Mussolini had achieved an appointment from the king and went around any constitution the country currently had

6. Mussolini’s Italy
By 1925 Mussolini had taken the title of IL DUCE “the leader”
He suppressed rival political parties
Censored the press
Rigged Elections
Replaced elected officials with Fascists
Italy supposedly remained a constitutional monarchy but it was really a dictatorship controlled by terror
Critics were thrown in jail, forced into exile, or even murdered
Secret police and propaganda strengthened the hold Mussolini had on Italy

7. Mussolini’s Italy POLITICAL STRUCTURE ECONOMIC POLICY SOCIAL POLICIES
By 1925, Mussolini had assumed the title Il Duce, “The Leader.”
In theory, Italy remained a parliamentary monarchy. In fact, it became a dictatorship upheld by terror.
The Fascists relied on secret police and propaganda.
Mussolini brought the economy under state control.
Unlike socialists, Mussolini preserved capitalism.
Workers received poor wages and were forbidden to strike.
The individual was unimportant except as a member of the state.
Men were urged to be ruthless warriors.
Women were called on to produce more children.
Fascist youth groups toughened children and taught them to obey strict military discipline.

8. What Is Fascism?
In the 1920s and 1930s, fascism meant different things in different countries. All forms of fascism, however, shared some basic features:
extreme nationalism
glorification of action, violence, discipline, and, above all, blind loyalty to the state
rejection of Enlightenment faith in reason and the concepts of equality and liberty
rejection of democratic ideas
Believed democracy led to corruption and weakness
Emphasized emotion and the need to the citizen to serve the state
pursuit of aggressive foreign expansion
glorification of warfare as a necessary and noble struggle for survival

9. Compared to Communism
Fascists were sworn enemies of socialists and communists
Communists wanted internal changes, Fascists wanted more land and a stronger homeland
Communists were supported by the working class and poor Fascists by the rich and middle class
Similarities between the two groups were the idea of new social programs, Dictators imposed totalitarian governments, and in both the leaders claimed to rule out of national interests

10. Totalitarian Rule
Italy was the first Totalitarian state, which became a model for other states, even though rule by Mussolini was not as absolute or as brutal as by Stalin in the USSR and Hitler in Germany
There were 6 basic features of totalitarian rule
Single party dictatorship
State control of economy
Use of police spies and terror to enforce rules
Strict censorship of media
Use of schools and media to indoctrinate and mobilize citizens
Unquestioning obedience to a single leader

11. Appeal Why did FASCISM appeal to Italians?
It promised a strong, stable government
An end to political feuding
Revival of National pride
Mussolini showed power and confidence in a time of disorder and despair
At first IL DUCE was respected by foreign countries “he got the trains running of time” made chaos into an ordered, disciplined society
After Mussolini started to call for military action, and the increasing of the size of Italy, world powers saw Mussolini for what he was!!!!

12. Looking Ahead
After World War I three systems of government competed for influence in Europe
Democracy like in Britain and France
Communism in Russia
Fascism in Italy
Fascism with its chest-pumping calls for action, national unity, and dedication to the state ignited patriotic feelings, as the Great Depression spread other nations looked to leaders that preached fascism