Fascism in Italy Rise of Mussolini

Rise of Mussolini The Italians were on the victorious Allies side of World War I However they gained virtually no land

Economic Downfall Returning soldiers became unemployed Trade declined Taxes increased Workers took over factories and land Attempted to recreate the Russian Revolution

Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini created the Fascist party

Gaining Support Gained the support of: Returning soldiers Unhappy Italians

Roman Empire Promised to end Italy’s troubled times Return to the greatness of the Roman Empire

Use of Violence Mussolini used violence to make change Used his supporters to break up: Socialist rallies Newspapers Trade unions Black Shirts also got rid of elected officials

The March on Rome Mussolini and his followers threatened to marched on Rome Caused King Victor Emmanuel III to make Mussolini prime minister Thus Mussolini was in charge of Italy

***Il Duce*** Mussolini took the title Il Duce or “The Leader” Stopped all opposition parties Ended freedom of the press Rigged elections

Mussolini’s Italy Replaced elected officials with Fascist leaders Italy became a dictatorship supported by violence and terror Dissenters were put in prison or killed

Economic Control Placed the economy under state control Workers were forbidden to strike Their wages remained low Business and production increased

Propaganda Used propaganda the same way Stalin did Posters and loudspeakers to brainwash the people “Believe! Obey! Fight!”

***Men & Women*** Men were trained to be soldiers Told they must fight to achieve peace Women were expected to be mothers Had more than 14 children, given a medal Give their wedding rings to the treasury Received an iron one in place of it

***Children*** Also expected to participate Joined Fascists youth groups Taught to obey strict military discipline Taught about the success of the Roman Empire They chanted “Mussolini was always right!”

***What is Fascism?*** Fascism – an authoritarian government that is not communist Different in each country But they all glorified violence Discipline Loyalty to the state Rejected democracy Democracy was based on greed and corruption These would weaken the country Advocated war and expansion Makes the country great

Enemies Fascists were the sworn enemy of communists There are many similarities between them Both avoided the Great Depression by creating social change Both had dictators that imposed totalitarian governments

First Totalitarian State Mussolini’s Italy was the first totalitarian state Served as a guide for Hitler’s Germany

***Fascism’s Appeal*** Fascism appealed to many people because: Created a strong stable government Promoted nationalism Received good press across Europe until the war started