Historic People 2 Benito Mussolini Italy Francisco Franco

Historic People #2 Benito Mussolini – Italy Francisco Franco - Spain World History Unit 6

Essential Questions • How did the Treaty of Versailles, and the after effect of WWI lay the ground work for the totalitarian /fascist governments to come to power? • How does totalitarian governments view the worth of individual liberties?

The Treaty of Versailles • Italians believed the treaty (after WWI) was unfair to Italy. • Italy had not been given the land that Britain and France had promised • Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

Problems in Italy After WWI • 460, 000 soldiers killed in WWI • They were left with heavy debt • The governments couldn’t make decisions • Rising unemployment led to unrest in cities

Italy’s Economic Problems • Inflation grew, and both industrial and agricultural workers staged strikes. • Socialist elements inside the country spoke of revolution. • The middle class feared a revolution like the one that gripped Russia. • Labor strikes created more division and unrest in society.

Mussolini Gains Power • Mussolini created the first European Fascist Party • He promised to solve Italy’s problems • He promised to rebuild Italy and recreate the Roman Empire • Organized armed gangs called the “Blackshirts”

Blackshirts • Mussolini formed bands of black-shirted, armed Fascists called Blackshirts. • Blackshirts attacked socialist offices and newspapers. • They used violence to break up strikes. • Middle-class industrialists who feared working-class strikes embraced Mussolini’s Fascist movement. • Large land owners who objected to agricultural strikes also began to support Mussolini.

1922 March on Rome • The March on Rome was used to establish Mussolini and the Fascist Party as the most important party in Italy • In 1921 the political parties joined together to form the Fascist Party • Mussolini said this at a party conference: – "Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome. "

March on Rome, 1922

Mussolini Appointed Prime Minister • Fascists were anti-communism • Italians’ fear of communism helped Mussolini to gain power • Came to power in 1922 and was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor Emmanuel to prevent a Communist Revolution in Italy

Fascism under Mussolini

Analyze this quote by Mussolini: What value does he give individuals? • “Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived in their relation to the State. ” ~Benito Mussolini

Quotes by Mussolini

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 • His control over all aspects of life was not as great as Hitler in Germany, or as Stalin in U. S. S. R. • He left traditional values alone, like the Catholic church and the family • He sided with Hitler during WW II and they died a few days apart just before end of the war (Hitler by suicide and Mussolini killed by Italian resistance fighters)

Francisco Franco - Spain • Led military forces against Spain’s democratic government in 1936 • Aided by Hitler and Mussolini

Spain’s Civil War • The Spanish Civil War was the great international cause of the 1930 s • Approx. 3, 000 Americans volunteered to fight on behalf of the Spanish Republic. Group of American Volunteers

Francisco Franco • Became authoritarian leader of Spain in 1939 • During World War II, Franco officially maintained a policy of neutrality partly because of the extreme damage to his country in the Civil War. • His regime that lasted until 1978

Essential Questions • How did the Treaty of Versailles, and the after effect of WWI lay the ground work for the totalitarian /fascist governments to come to power? • How does totalitarian governments view the worth of individual liberties?