Fascism in Italy 3rd YR: Benito Mussolini

What was fascism? Type of government Abolished democracy Was a dictatorship – the country under the control of one man Extreme Nationalists – believed that all citizens must love their country That their country should be great Citizens must be absolutely loyal to the dictator Hated Communism

Why so popular? After WW1 Italy very disappointed with Treaty of Versailles Growth in Nationalism – people wanted Italy to be a great power Rise in unemployment after WW1 – democracy had failed to solve this problem Fear of communism – people wanted a strong government to solve these problems. Fascism seemed to promise that.

Mussolini Born 1883 Central Italy A socialist at start – editor of socialist newspaper But wanted Italy to enter WW1 Joined as a soldier Now he hated socialism

Setting up Fascist Party After WW1 Italy had many problems Unemployment – many strikes Communist people – people hoping for communist revolution Anger at the Treaty – felt cheated Mussolini used these problems to set up the Fascist Party in 1919

Support Grows At first it was unpopular But as Italy’s problems increased, Mussolini seemed to offer the best solution He set up a group of followers Called Blackshirts They beat up communists and anyone who opposed Mussolini

Blackshirts Mussolini’s personal closest supporters Named after their uniform Fanatical about their leader Would do anything for him Including breaking the law

Who supported Mussolini? Businessmen who were afraid of a worker’s communist revolution – financed his party Ex-soldiers and others disappointed with the Treaty They wanted Italy to go to invade other countries and set up an empire Religious people – afraid of how communists were strict atheists and would forbid all religion Unemployed people

Fascist election promises To end unemployment To create an Italian empire To destroy communism Very popular – elected 1921

March on Rome Wanted to be PM Wanted total power He threatened to march on Rome to seize power with the Blackshirts Unless he was made PM The King Victor Emmanuel 111 gave in Mussolini was made PM – the youngest ever in Italy

March on Rome (1922)

Becoming a dictator Italy was still a democracy He wanted a dictatorship One man in charge of everything No one able to disobey him So he gradually took control

Becoming a dictator (2) 1923 Acerbo Law Party with most votes got total control 1924 – a socialist leader (Matteotti) was murdered Mussolini’s enemies were scared of him 1926 All other political parties (except Fascists) A secret police – called OVRA – set up to arrest any opponents Trade Unions banned Mussolini was now known as Il Duce

Domestic policy - propaganda Propaganda – spreading information that makes you look great Good news is highlighted (or even made up) Bad news is hidden Mussolini used propaganda to make himself popular Advertisements and pictures showed him as a great leader Strong, sporty

Propaganda (2) School history books rewritten Children were taught ‘Mussolini is always right’ Youth movements called The Balilla set up Very important to brainwash people as young as possible This is called indoctrination

Domestic policy - jobs In order to cut unemployment, many public schemes set up New motorways built Marches were drained and towns built there Increased Mussolini’s popularity

Domestic policy – Lateran Pact Italy was very Catholic, religious country But there was a dispute with the Pope over the Vatican’s independence Mussolini reached an agreement Called the Lateran Pact Vatican made an independent state Catholicism became official religion of Italy Mussolini became even more popular

Lateran Pact

Foreign policy Make Italy an Empire Strengthen the army 1925 Invaded Abyssinia (Now Ethiopia) The League of Nations condemned Mussolini Imposed a trade ban on Italy This annoyed Mussolini He now turned to Hitler in Germany as an ally

Foreign policy – befriending Germany Both Italy and Germany were fascist countries 1936 Signed an alliance called Rome-Berlin Alliance 1939 Pact of Steel signed

Italy during WW2 In WW2 Italy joined on Germany’s side in 1940 Italian army very weak Fatal mistake for Mussolini Italy involved in North Africa and Greece It was beaten in both places Mussolini (now very unpopular in Italy) imprisoned Had to be rescued by Germany

Italy during WW2 (2) But in 1945 he was captured and killed by anti-fascist Italians Body displayed in public End of Fascism in Italy

Revision Qs What is Fascism – 5 points Mussolini’s promises in election? How did Mussolini become dictator? What is Lateran Treary?

1. What is fascism? Q1 Answer: Hated Communism Extreme Nationalists Abolished democracy Dictatorship – 1 leader Unquestioning loyalty to the leader

Q2 Q2 Answer: To make Italy great – an Empire Create jobs Destroy Communism

How mussolini became dictator Q3 Answer: Banned all parties Trade Unions abolished Secret Police – OVRA Propaganda – history books rewritten Indoctrination

What was lateran treaty? Q4 Answer: Deal with C. Church Pope’s Vatican independent The C. Church given compensation Catholicism official language Boosted Mussolini’s popularity