The Rise of Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini

The Rise of Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini (1883 -1945) 7 th Grade Social Studies

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

The Treaty of Versailles • Italians believed that it treated them badly. • Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

What is fascism? • A system of government with centralized authority under a dictator. • Usually involves terror, censorship, nationalism, and racism.

Benito Mussolini

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

Mussolini gains power -Set up a dictatorship where he had complete control -Fixed elections so that only his supporters were elected and removed opponents from positions of power -Banned rival political parties

1922 March on Rome • To establish Mussolini and the Fascist Party as the most important party in Italy • In 1921 individual fascist parties in Italy joined together to form one Fascist Party "Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome. "

March on Rome, 1922

Quote “Fascism should rightly be called Corporatism as it is a merge of state and corporate power. ” ~ Benito Mussolini

Fascism under Mussolini

Quote “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

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

Life under Mussolini -Censored the media -Propaganda was used to influence the people -Terror was used to maintain power. Secret police force arrested, tortured and often killed any who opposed the government.

Italy during WWII Mussolini intended to annex Malta, Corsica, and Tunis. He wanted to create a “New Roman Empire. ” He annexed Albania, straining the military. His troops were unprepared for the German invasion of Poland. Italy remained neutral. Mussolini during WWII

Italy during WWII cont’d Italy soon declared war on Britain and France but troops were unprepared. Mussolini

Propaganda postcard of Mussolini

Mussolini’s Execution Mussolini was taken prisoner by the partisans and was joined by his mistress, Clara Petacci. A few days later they were shot to death. In April of 1945, their bodies were hung at an Esso gas station along with the bodies of other fascist leaders. Mussolini and his mistress