The Rise of Mussolini in Italy Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Exam Questions - Ideas of Fascism - Why people turned to fascism - Why Mussolini gained support An account of Mussolini’s political achievements Italy and WW2 Mussolini’s Foreign policy

Keyterms/Words Treaty of London: Secret treaty with Allies that promised Italy land for joining the war Blackshirts/Squadristi: Mussolini’s uniformed followers OVRA: Mussolini’s secret police Fasces: Italian fascist symbol Il Duce: the leader. Nickname of Mussolini March on Rome: Mussolini demanded position of Prime Minister. King Victor Emmanual III granted his the job to avoid a civil war Acerbo Law: the party with the most votes got two-thirds of the seats in parliament Battle for Grain: Italy to grow all its own crops so it could become self-sufficient and not rely on expensive imports. However price of bread in Italy increased.

Abyssinia: present day Ethiopia. Mussolini invaded in 1935 Pontine Marshes: marshland trained and towns built Lateran Pacts: agreement (concordat) between Pope and Mussolini that ended a 60 year feud in 1929 Abyssinia: present day Ethiopia. Mussolini invaded in 1935 Rome Berlin Axis/Pact of Steel: Alliance with Hitler. They would not invade each other and help each other in times of war Salo Republic: North of Italy that Mussolini ruled before being captured by the Allies

Problems after WWI 460,000 soldiers killed Heavy debt Britain and France did not give Italy the land they promised Governments were all coalitions that couldn’t make decisions Rising unemployment led to unrest in cities

The Treaty of Versailles Italians believed that it treated them badly. Italy had not been given the land promised at the Secret Treaty of London. Italy’s foreign Minister Orlando left before the conference ended, feeling humiliated.

Characteristics of Fascism and Communism BOTH COMMUNISM Wears a uniform Classless society- all equal Supports private property Government has control Seeks to eliminate religion Special salute Glorifies military and war No private ownership pf land or property Views women as inferior Secret police International revolution Each class in society has a place and function Controls religion State must struggle to survive even if it means war One party rule No unions/strikes Use of youths Appeals to the middle class and industrialists Controls Press Use of propaganda Use of mass rallies

Fascism under Mussolini

Benito Mussolini

Why people turned to fascism Fear of Communism 2. Use of successful propaganda 3. Many unhappy with the Treaty of Versaille 4. Many wanted their countries to be great again and fascism promised this 5. Huge economic problems from Wall Street Crash. People blamed democracy for this

Mussolini gains power Mussolini set up a Fascist Party and promised to solve Italy’s problems Promised to rebuild Italy and recreate the Roman Empire Organized armed gangs called the “Blackshirts” Came to power in 1922 and was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor Emmanuel to prevent a Communist Revolution in Italy

How Mussolini got support 1. Campaigned against the Treaty of Versaille where Italy did not get the land the were promised. Many Italians unhappy about this 2. Weak coalition governments failed to tackle problems after the war ended. Mussolini promised to bring order to Italy 3. Mussolini’s followers the Squadristi, fought street fights against communism. This won Mussolini support from businessmen n who helped finance his party

HOW MUSSOLINI CREATED A DICTATORSHIP

1922 March on Rome Between 1919 and 1922 the Fascists grew from strength to strength. In October 1922 they organized a March on Rome in an effort to seize control of Italy Their plan worked King Victor Emmanual III invited Mussolini to form a government. The Fascists were in power "Either the government will be given to us or will shall seize it by marching on Rome."

March on Rome, 1922

Early popularity He controlled the media, which he used as a propaganda tool to portray him as a strong, brace and caring leader He introduced public works, such as the building of motorways and the draining of marshes. These provided employment. Some powerful businessmen supported his banning of trade unions and his persecution of communists. In 1929 Mussolini won the support of many Catholics by signing the Lateran Treaty with the Pope. This concordat set up an independent Vatican State within Rome and end a 60 year disagreement between the Pope and the Italian Government

Wars and Downfall Mussolini wanted to build an empire like that of Ancient Rome. To achieve this he led Italy into several wars In 1935 he invaded Abyssinia. The League of Nations were ineffective to stopping him. He sent 50,000 troops to assist dictator Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War In 1936 he made an alliance with Hitler ‘Rome-Berlin Axis’ and four years later he entered WW2 on the German side. This was a fatal decision. In 1945 he was captured by Allied forces ad hung in a square in Milan

Mussolini and Hitler Hitler and Mussolini had a close relationship. In October 1936 they signed a non-military alliance. Mussolini signed a full defensive alliance with Nazi Germany in the Pact of Steel. Mussolini and Hitler

Italy during WWII He wanted to create a “New Roman Empire.”. At the break out of WW2 Italy’s troops were unprepared for the German invasion of Poland. Italy remained neutral. Mussolini during WWII

Italy during WWII cont’d Italy soon declared war on Britain and France but troops were unprepared. It was defeated by Greece. Italy was defeated on all fronts of the Anglo-American landing. Mussolini

Mussolini’s Execution Mussolini was taken prisoner by the Allies and was joined by his mistress, Clara Petacci. A few days later they were shot dead. In April of 1945, their bodies were hung at a square in Milan for everyone to see. Mussolini and his mistress