The World Between the Wars (1910–1939) Lesson 6 Fascism Emerges in Italy

The World Between the Wars (1910–1939) Lesson 6 Fascism Emerges in Italy Learning Objectives Describe the rise of Mussolini. Summarize Mussolini’s policies as leader of Italy. Identify the characteristics of totalitarianism and fascism.

The World Between the Wars (1910–1939) Lesson 6 Fascism Emerges in Italy Key Terms Benito Mussolini. Black Shirts, March on Rome, totalitarian state. fascism

The Rise of Mussolini “I hated politics and politicians,” said Italo Balbo. Like many Italian veterans of World War I, he had come home to a land of economic chaos and political corruption. Italy’s constitutional government, he felt, “had betrayed the hopes of soldiers, reducing Italy to a shameful peace.” Disgusted and angry, Balbo rallied behind a fiercely nationalist leader, Benito Mussolini. Mussolini’s rise to power in the 1920s served as a model for ambitious strongmen elsewhere in Europe.

The Rise of Mussolini Postwar Discontent Italy promised lands from AH empire, didn’t get as much as they were promised Ticked Italy’s postwar economy crashed Some workers seize factories Mussolini and the Fascist Party Organized fascist party- extreme nationalism Re-start Roman empire Control by Terror Black shirts- combat squad, used to intimidate and murder opposition March on Rome- King Victor Emmanuel III- asks Mussolini to form govt with Mussolini as PM

The Rise of Mussolini After World War I, Italy faced dissatisfaction with the peace settlements of the war and economic hardship. Increasingly militant Italian workers staged strikes like this one in Milan.

Mussolini’s Totalitarian Rule At first, Fascists held only a few cabinet posts in the new government. By 1925, though, Mussolini had assumed more power and taken the title Il Duce (eel DOO chay), “The Leader.” He suppressed rival parties, muzzled the press, rigged elections, and replaced elected officials with Fascist supporters. In 1929, Mussolini received recognition from Pope Pius XI in return for recognizing Vatican City as an independent state, although the pope continued to disagree with some of Mussolini’s goals.

Mussolini’s Totalitarian Rule The State Controls the Economy Il Duce- Mussolini take complete control Revamped economy to expand the military Loyalty to the State Fascism- individual unimportant- all loyalty to the state and the leader Building a Totalitarian State Totalitarian state- Single party Controlled economy Obedience Control media

Mussolini’s Totalitarian Rule Mussolini viewed propaganda as a key means to winning support from the Italian people. The poster here has the Italian words for 'to us' written at the bottom, promoting a unified and strong Italy.

Characteristics of Fascism Historians still debate the real nature of Mussolini’s fascist ideology. Mussolini coined the term, but fascists had no unifying theory as Marxists did. Today, we generally use the term fascism to describe any centralized, authoritarian government that is not communist whose policies glorify the state over the individual and are destructive to basic human rights. In the 1920s and 1930s, though, fascism meant different things in different countries.

Characteristics of Fascism Features of Fascism Authoritarian govts that are not communist and policies that glorify the state over the individual Extreme nationalism Blind loyalty Survival of the fittest Anti-democracy The Appeal of Fascism Strong, stable government Tired of corrupt and ineffective democracy Fascism and Communism Compared Fascist sworn enemies of socialist and communist Differences on page 716

Characteristics of Fascism Italians gather at the Palazzio Venezia to hear Mussolini speak at a celebration of the seventh anniversary of Fascist Italy.

Quiz: The Rise of Mussolini Following World War I, Italian nationalists were outraged that A. France and Britain signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact. B. Italy did not receive all the territory it had been promised. C. Mussolini had tried to take over the government. D. the Italian navy was drastically reduced in size.

Quiz: Mussolini’s Totalitarian Rule Which of the following people would be most favored by Mussolini's fascist system? A. owners of steel and iron companies B. farm workers and factory workers C. communists and socialists D. labor unions and interest groups

Quiz: Characteristics of Fascism In what ways did fascists differ from communists? A. Communists wanted to spread communism internationally, while fascists wanted to strengthen their own nations. B. Fascists supported a classless society and international equality, while communist society had a strict class system. C. Fascists set up one-party states, while communists set up multiparty states. D. Communists used terror to achieve their goals, while fascists used democratic methods.