Fascism in Italy

Dissatisfaction and Unrest A.Why were the people of Italy unhappy? 1. Broken Promises from Allies of WWI to give them land 2. Poor economic conditions and the inspiration of the Russian Revolution led to workers strikes and peasants taking land 3. Veterans of WWI returned without jobs Italian Soldiers

Mussolini Takes Power A. What does Mussolini do to gain leadership? 1. Chooses intense Nationalism over socialism 2. Gains a following called the “Black Shirts” – military strength (Fascism) 3. Promised to revive Italy and make the Mediterranean a “Roman lake” 4. March on Rome – King feared a civil war so he placed Mussolini in control of Italy (Prime Minister)

Mussolini Changes Italy A. How does Mussolini Change Italy? 1. Brought the economy under state control 2. Promoted “loyalty to the state” 3. State controlled industry, agriculture and trade

Mussolini Rules by Terror 1. Suppressed rival parties 2. Silenced the press 3. Placed fascists friend into office 4. Critics thrown into prison, exiled or murdered 5. Used secret police 6. Used propaganda to bolster fascist support

Italian National Flag under Mussolini Using speeches to promote his propaganda Mussolini is everywhere The Fascist symbol

Italian Propaganda Buy Italian Products!

What is Fascism? Values Survival of the fittest Warfare is noble Valued discipline Characteristics Extreme Nationalism Blind loyalty to the State, rather than the individual Differences from Communism Pursued national goals, not international Defined class system, rather than classless society Similarities to Communism Drew power from loyalty to state Flourished during economic hard times One-party system; destructive to basic human rights

Review Questions 1. What were the post WWI conditions in Italy? A: People were burdened with unemployment, rising taxes, declining trade, and political disunity 2. How did Mussolini come into power? A: Mussolini organized the Fascist party, promising to revive Roman greatness. Used terror tactics to force king to make him the prime minister

Review Questions 3. What was so appealing about Mussolini? A: Making promises of greatness in a time of turmoil. People needed something or someone to believe in. Addressing a crowd at the Coliseum

Summarizing Fascism