1. The Rise of Mussolini in Italy
Benito Mussolini ( )

2. Exam Questions - Ideas of Fascism - Why people turned to fascism
- Why Mussolini gained support
An account of Mussolini’s political achievements
Italy and WW2
Mussolini’s Foreign policy

3. Keyterms/Words
Treaty of London: Secret treaty with Allies that promised Italy land for joining the war Blackshirts/Squadristi: Mussolini’s uniformed followers OVRA: Mussolini’s secret police Fasces: Italian fascist symbol Il Duce: the leader. Nickname of Mussolini March on Rome: Mussolini demanded position of Prime Minister. King Victor Emmanual III granted his the job to avoid a civil war Acerbo Law: the party with the most votes got two-thirds of the seats in parliament Battle for Grain: Italy to grow all its own crops so it could become self-sufficient and not rely on expensive imports. However price of bread in Italy increased.

4. Abyssinia: present day Ethiopia. Mussolini invaded in 1935
Pontine Marshes: marshland trained and towns built
Lateran Pacts: agreement (concordat)
between Pope and Mussolini that ended a 60 year feud in 1929
Abyssinia: present day Ethiopia. Mussolini invaded in 1935
Rome Berlin Axis/Pact of Steel: Alliance with Hitler. They would not invade each other and help each other in times of war
Salo Republic: North of Italy that Mussolini ruled before being captured by the Allies

5. Problems after WWI 460,000 soldiers killed Heavy debt
Britain and France did not give Italy the land they promised
Governments were all coalitions that couldn’t make decisions
Rising unemployment led to unrest in cities

6. The Treaty of Versailles
Italians believed that it treated them badly.
Italy had not been given the land promised at the Secret Treaty of London.
Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

7. Characteristics of Fascism and Communism
BOTH
COMMUNISM
Wears a uniform
Classless society- all equal
Supports private property
Government has control
Seeks to eliminate religion
Special salute
Glorifies military and war
No private ownership pf land or property
Views women as inferior
Secret police
International revolution
Each class in society has a place and function
Controls religion
State must struggle to survive even if it means war
One party rule
No unions/strikes
Use of youths
Appeals to the middle class and industrialists
Controls Press
Use of propaganda
Use of mass rallies

8. Fascism under Mussolini

9. Benito Mussolini

10. Why people turned to fascism
Fear of Communism
2. Use of successful propaganda
3. Many unhappy with the Treaty of Versaille
4. Many wanted their countries to be great again and fascism promised this
5. Huge economic problems from Wall Street Crash. People blamed democracy for this

11. Mussolini gains power
Mussolini set up a Fascist Party and promised to solve Italy’s problems
Promised to rebuild Italy and recreate the Roman Empire
Organized armed gangs called the “Blackshirts”
Came to power in 1922 and was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor Emmanuel to prevent a Communist Revolution in Italy

12. How Mussolini got support
1. Campaigned against the Treaty of Versaille where Italy did not get the land the were promised. Many Italians unhappy about this
2. Weak coalition governments failed to tackle problems after the war ended. Mussolini promised to bring order to Italy
3. Mussolini’s followers the Squadristi, fought street fights against communism.
This won Mussolini support from businessmen n who helped finance his party

13. HOW MUSSOLINI CREATED A DICTATORSHIP

14. 1922 March on Rome
Between 1919 and 1922 the Fascists grew from strength to strength.
In October 1922 they organized a March on Rome in an effort to seize control of Italy
Their plan worked
King Victor Emmanual III invited Mussolini to form a government. The Fascists were in power
"Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome."

15. March on Rome, 1922

17. Early popularity
He controlled the media, which he used as a propaganda tool to portray him as a strong, brace and caring leader
He introduced public works, such as the building of motorways and the draining of marshes. These provided employment.
Some powerful businessmen supported his banning of trade unions and his persecution of communists.
In 1929 Mussolini won the support of many Catholics by signing the Lateran Treaty with the Pope. This concordat set up an independent Vatican State within Rome and end a 60 year disagreement between the Pope and the Italian Government

19. Wars and Downfall
Mussolini wanted to build an empire like that of Ancient Rome. To achieve this he led Italy into several wars
In 1935 he invaded Abyssinia. The League of Nations were ineffective to stopping him.
He sent 50,000 troops to assist dictator Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War
In 1936 he made an alliance with Hitler ‘Rome-Berlin Axis’ and four years later he entered WW2 on the German side. This was a fatal decision.
In 1945 he was captured by Allied forces ad hung in a square in Milan

20. Mussolini and Hitler
Hitler and Mussolini had a close relationship. In October 1936 they signed a non-military alliance. Mussolini signed a full defensive alliance with Nazi Germany in the Pact of Steel.
Mussolini and Hitler

21. Italy during WWII
He wanted to create a “New Roman Empire.”. At the break out of WW2 Italy’s troops were unprepared for the German invasion of Poland. Italy remained neutral.
Mussolini during WWII

22. Italy during WWII cont’d
Italy soon declared war on Britain and France but troops were unprepared. It was defeated by Greece. Italy was defeated on all fronts of the Anglo-American landing.
Mussolini

23. Mussolini’s Execution
Mussolini was taken prisoner by the Allies and was joined by his mistress, Clara Petacci. A few days later they were shot dead. In April of 1945, their bodies were hung at a square in Milan for everyone to see.
Mussolini and his mistress