Benito Mussolini Rise of Fascism

Political and Economic discontent Treaty of Versailles—Italy is outraged Victorious Ally in WWI Expected to gain territory but didn’t Economic Chaos Unemployment Decline of Trade Higher Taxes

Benito Mussolini Il Duce 1919-Organizes the Fascist Party Pledges to revive Roman greatness, end corruption, and replace chaos with order

Seizing Power Mussolini’s Black Shirts Used violence, terror, and intimidation as a means to an end Eliminated opposition leaders and government officials Organized more than 100,000 Fascists to “March on Rome” Fearing Civil War Italy’s King makes Mussolini Prime Minister

Mussolini’s Italy Economics—Brought all business under state control ---Large corporations and Fascist party controlled industry, agriculture, and trade ---Workers were forbidden to strike ---Workers were given less than adequate wages Social ---Individual is not important ---State is the only thing that is important ---Created Fascist youth groups where children were taught to obey strict military discipline

What is Fascism? Defined as: any authoritarian government that is not communist Each country has a little different view of it’s meaning but all include the following Rooted in extreme Nationalism Promote blind loyalty to the state Reject democratic principles of equality and liberty An aggressive foreign policy Are the sworn enemies of Communists Supporters include: Business leaders, landowners, and the middle class

Totalitarianism Why would people give in to this? Single party dictatorship State control of the economy Use of Secret police and spies—terror to enforce Gov. policies Strict censorship of the media Use of schools to indoctrinate citizens Unquestioned obedience to a single leader Why would people give in to this? Mussolini promise of a strong and stable government to end chaos Mussolini revived Italian national pride Mussolini projected confidence in a time of turmoil