Fascism In Italy Rise of Mussolini Post WWI

Fascism In Italy Rise of Mussolini

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

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

Mussolini – Il Duce u u u 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 u u u 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. u His “corporate state” preserved some elements of capitalism but policy was forged with representatives from business, labor & the fascist gov. u The economy did show improvement. u This came at labor’s expense as strikes were outlawed & wages dropped. u

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

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

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

Mussolini & Totalitarianism Musso built the 1 st totalitarian state which was never as extreme as Germany’s or Soviet Unions. u What was its appeal? u – 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 www. fresno. k 12. ca. us/. . . /totalitarianism. htm

Three Ideologies u 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?