Benito Mussolini And Italian Fascism

Italy during the Interwar Period ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How did Mussolini rise as a fascist dictator in Italy? OBJECTIVE: To understand how Mussolini created a fascist state in Italy, and to contrast this with Hitler’s rise in Germany HOMEWORK: Finish interwar media projects if not done!

The Kingdom of Italy Unification complete in 1871 (Risorgimento) Constitutional monarchy – Victor Emmanuel III On winning side of WWI Problems after the war: Unemployment Strikes and workers taking over businesses Clashes between left-wing and right-wing militias Political gridlock in parliament Risorgimento([risordʒiˈmento], meaning the Resurgence or renaissance or rebirth or revival), was the political and social movement that consolidated different states of the Italian peninsula into the single state of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. 

Mussolini Italian Socialist Party Editor of Avanti! newspaper Kicked out of party for pushing for Italy to join WWI Formed Fasci di Combattimento in 1919 Army veterans  blackshirts Edited Il Popolo d’Italia newspaper Shift to the right Support for Catholic Church, monarchy Partito Nazionale Fascista in 1921 A fasces (below) can be related to fascism because the sticks act as individuals who come together with feelings of pride and loyalty and the axe could show the fortitude of the commanding leader and the forceful impact they create together. Benito Mussolini coined the term fascism from the Latin word fasces. This was a highly esteemed symbol of superiority in ancient Roman times.

Taking power March on Rome (1922) 30,000 fascists Victor Emmanuel III decided not to fight Preferred Mussolini to anti-Monarchist socialists Named Mussolini Prime Minister

Consolidating Power Acerbo law  fascist control of parliament (1923) Giacomo Matteotti, socialist leader, assassinated  socialist walkout 1924 elections – voters intimidated In the late 1920s, laws passed making Mussolini responsible only to the King and Grand Council of Fascism, not parliament Other parties outlawed (1926) Giacomo Matteotti  On 30 May 1924, he openly spoke in the Italian Parliament alleging the Fascists committed fraud in the recently held elections, and denounced the violence they used to gain votes. Eleven days later he was kidnapped and killed by Fascists.

Creating a fascist state Outlawed: Non-fascist political parties You needed a fascist party card to work for the government, teach, publish a newspaper, etc. Opposition newspapers Labor unions and strikes Police state OVRA – secret police (Organization for Vigilance and Repression of Antifascism)

Culture and society Alliance with the Catholic Church Education Official state religion (1929) Vatican independence (1929) Anti-abortion and divorce Paid salaries to bishops, priests, etc. Education Combat illiteracy Focus on loyalty to the state and fascism Italian nationalism – Rome, Risorgimento Physical fitness Dopolavoro Extremely popular recreation program for adults – sports, arts

Men and women Men Women “Battle for births” Macho fascist aesthetic – “virilist” Women “Nuova Italiana” Domestic training Colonial wives for the empire Cooking to decrease dependence on imports “Battle for births” Large families got tax benefits Celibate men taxed to pay for child welfare

Economics and Development “Third way” between capitalism and socialism Corporatism Unions and employer associations organized into state-managed “corporations” Attempt to unify workers and employers in the service of the state Advances in technology and transportation Italo Balbo’s flight to Chicago

Ideology “New man” – done with individualism, completely dedicated to the state Discuss: “Fascist Doctrines”

Propaganda and cult of personality Il Duce ( the leader) cultivated a masculine “everyman” image Passionate public speeches Focus on reclaiming ancient Rome’s glory Strict censorship of newspapers and media – Mussolini was personally involved

Propaganda and cult of personality Film footage: Mussolini wrestling a lion cub, in Africa after assassination attempt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qXmQBhSvkc Mussolini speaking, threshing wheat, breeding horses, draining Pontine marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1ZJVgB8POg

Imperialism in Africa Italy had colonies in Somalia and Eritrea Failed to conquer Ethiopia in 1895-6 Defeated at Battle of Adwa Mussolini launched a new campaign to conquer Ethiopia in 1935 League of Nations didn’t intervene Took over country until WWII Gas attacks covered up

Mussolini and Hitler Hitler admired Mussolini and fascism Germany became a much greater military power than Italy Assassinated Engelbert Dollfuss, chancellor of Austria, Italy’s ally Mussolini adopted anti-Semitic policies to satisfy Hitler Pact of Steel (1939)

Exit ticket What parallels do you see between Mussolini's rise to power and Hitler’s? Recall that Mussolini came to power first, about 10 years before. What about his rise and consolidation of power do you think Hitler might have admired, or copied?