Totalitarianism in Italy
Goals for Country Benito Mussolini – organized veterans and other discontented Italians into the Fascist party Promised to end political corruption Revive Roman greatness Bring economic prosperity
Mussolini’s Rise to Power Italy did not receive all of the land promised to it by the Allies Peasants and workers were on strike and seizing land Veterans faced unemployment Trade declined and taxes rose
Mussolini gains power Black Shirts – party militants – rejected the democratic process in favor of violent action Broke up socialist rallies Fascists March on Rome (1922) King Victor Emmanuel III appoints Mussolini as Prime Minister and forms a new gov’t
Totalitarianism in Action Dictatorship One-Party Rule (anti-democratic) Ideology State control over all sectors of society State control over individuals Organized Violence Propaganda
How Mussolini uses Power State Control over Society State Control over Individuals Business Labor Family life Youth groups Housing Religion Education The arts Denies basic liberties (freedoms) No free speech No free press No right to due process Demands total obedience to authority and personal sacrifices for the good of the state.
Impact on People Fascists Ideology – glorious state was all important, individual was unimportant Fascist indoctrination through education Slogans “believe, obey, fight!!” Fascists youth groups toughen the young
How Mussolini Keeps Power Propaganda- advertisement to support a cause Ideology Glorifies state over the individual Rooted in extreme nationalism Pursued aggressive foreign expansion Survival of the fittest philosophy Glorified warfare as a noble pursuit Anti-democratic
How Mussolini Keeps Power Mussolini assumes the title il duce – the leader (1925) Suppressed rival parties Prevented free press Rigged elections Received support from Pope Pius XI in return for recognizing Vatican city as an independent state (1929)