The Rise of Fascism in Italy

Fascism v. Totalitarianism: what are they? Fascism: a modern form of authoritarianism a modern form of authoritarianism a mobilizing regime a mobilizing regime Glorification of authority Glorification of authority in its pure form, built on a corporatist state in its pure form, built on a corporatist state Corpera (‘corporations) or sub-sectors of society are the key units of representation: e.g The Church, the army, big business, small business agriculture…Corpera (‘corporations) or sub-sectors of society are the key units of representation: e.g The Church, the army, big business, small business agriculture… Totalitarianism: a form of authoritarianism which tries to assert a total grip on society Eliminates any private space Eliminates any private space May or may not have fascist traits May or may not have fascist traits

Origins Short term ( ) Italian disappointments in the peace settlements, especially failure to obtain Fiume, Dalmatian coast Italian disappointments in the peace settlements, especially failure to obtain Fiume, Dalmatian coast Economic crisis ( ) Economic crisis ( ) D’Annunzio’s Fiume expedition (1919) D’Annunzio’s Fiume expedition (1919) Growing disorder Growing disorder Wave of strikesWave of strikes Growing Socialist strengthGrowing Socialist strength Fear of red menaceFear of red menace Difficulty of sustaining cabinets Difficulty of sustaining cabinets

Longer term Class, religious, regional divisions Class, religious, regional divisions Incompleteness of Italian unification in 1860s, 1870s: Incompleteness of Italian unification in 1860s, 1870s: risorgimento v. Piedmontizationrisorgimento v. Piedmontization Problem of the non expedit decreesProblem of the non expedit decrees Weak & ineffective regime Weak & ineffective regime Constitutional monarchyConstitutional monarchy Dominated by Liberals, politics of trasformiso – buying majoritiies Dominated by Liberals, politics of trasformiso – buying majoritiies

Mussolini Former socialist Former socialist Breaks with his party over its failure to support World War I Breaks with his party over its failure to support World War I Demagogic speaker Demagogic speaker Leader of squadristi – squads of thugs, blackshirts Leader of squadristi – squads of thugs, blackshirts

Coming to power Ongoing government crisis, widespread social unrest, weak government during World War I Ongoing government crisis, widespread social unrest, weak government during World War I 1921: fascists elected to parliament 1921: fascists elected to parliament 1922: March on Rome: 1922: March on Rome: King Victor Emmanuel II indecisiveKing Victor Emmanuel II indecisive fearing his army unreliable, invites Mussolini to form of governmentfearing his army unreliable, invites Mussolini to form of government

The March on Rome

Consolidating the regime: Uses control of government to establish dictatorship Modification of electoral law (Acerbo Law) Modification of electoral law (Acerbo Law) Successive elimination of opponents Successive elimination of opponents Matteotti assassination (1924)Matteotti assassination (1924) Suppression of independent forces Suppression of independent forces Opposition outlawed (1926) Opposition outlawed (1926) Nominations for parliament only by Fascist Grand Council (1928) Nominations for parliament only by Fascist Grand Council (1928) Reorganization of state into 22 corporations (1932) Reorganization of state into 22 corporations (1932)

Building support: Mussolini builds support by modifying positions, accommodating key groups Mussolini builds support by modifying positions, accommodating key groups Gains support of business by restricting unions Gains support of business by restricting unions Gains support of Church by Gains support of Church by abandoning anti-clerical positionsabandoning anti-clerical positions embracing Catholicism,embracing Catholicism, concluding Lateran pacts (1929)concluding Lateran pacts (1929)

The Fascist Regime Evolving type Evolving type Glorification of nation & leader Glorification of nation & leader Ostensible dispersion of power to ‘independent’ corporations running different segments of the economy Ostensible dispersion of power to ‘independent’ corporations running different segments of the economy Emphasis on resolving conflicts Emphasis on resolving conflicts But use of terror to marginalize opponents But use of terror to marginalize opponents

Fascist ideology State is absolute State is absolute Glorification of authority Glorification of authority Promises to workers, peasants, businessman Promises to workers, peasants, businessman Bottom line: opportunistic Bottom line: opportunistic

3ohjp_eur-fascist-architecture- suburb-of_travel 3ohjp_eur-fascist-architecture- suburb-of_travel 3ohjp_eur-fascist-architecture- suburb-of_travel 3ohjp_eur-fascist-architecture- suburb-of_travel

Putting Mussolini in context: Kingdom of Italy a state with low legitimacy Kingdom of Italy a state with low legitimacy One more failed or failing state?One more failed or failing state? Victor Emmanuel, upper & middle classes fearful – Victor Emmanuel, upper & middle classes fearful – Mussolini as a solutionMussolini as a solution Initially seen by some – intellectuals -- as better than what went beforeInitially seen by some – intellectuals -- as better than what went before Less so as regime unfolded Less so as regime unfolded Regime collapse & recourse to dictatorship a story which repeats frequently during this period Regime collapse & recourse to dictatorship a story which repeats frequently during this period Hungary, Poland,Hungary, Poland, Spain (before & after civil war)Spain (before & after civil war) GermanyGermany