Fascist Italy

Postwar Italy World War I left Italy with little national glory. World War I left Italy with little national glory. Economic problems plagued the country. Economic problems plagued the country. Huge national debt Huge national debt Runaway inflation Runaway inflation Massive unemployment Massive unemployment The Socialist Party appeared ready to fill the political vacuum, but they remained split. The Socialist Party appeared ready to fill the political vacuum, but they remained split.

Causes for Rise of Fascism In early 20th century, Italy was a liberal state with civil rights and constitutional monarchy. In early 20th century, Italy was a liberal state with civil rights and constitutional monarchy. Versailles Treaty: Italian nationalists angry that Italy did not receive any Austrian or Ottoman territory, (Italia Irredenta) or Germany’s African colonies as promised. Versailles Treaty: Italian nationalists angry that Italy did not receive any Austrian or Ottoman territory, (Italia Irredenta) or Germany’s African colonies as promised. Depression in 1919 caused nationwide strikes and class tension. Depression in 1919 caused nationwide strikes and class tension. Failure of strong leadership opened opportunities. Failure of strong leadership opened opportunities.

Fascism Wealthy classes fearful of communist revolution looked to strong anti-communist leader Wealthy classes fearful of communist revolution looked to strong anti-communist leader By 1921 revolutionary socialists, conservatives and property owners were all opposed to liberal parliamentary government. By 1921 revolutionary socialists, conservatives and property owners were all opposed to liberal parliamentary government. Fascism in Italy eventually a combination of conservative authoritarianism and modern totalitarianism (although not as extreme as Russia or Germany) Fascism in Italy eventually a combination of conservative authoritarianism and modern totalitarianism (although not as extreme as Russia or Germany)

Benito Mussolini Benito Mussolini ( ) rises to power ("Il Duce") Benito Mussolini ( ) rises to power ("Il Duce") Editor of a socialist newspaper yet was a nationalist. Editor of a socialist newspaper yet was a nationalist. Organized the Fascist party Organized the Fascist party Initially, failed to succeed because of competition from well- organized Socialists. Initially, failed to succeed because of competition from well- organized Socialists.

Fascist Movement Combination of socialism and nationalism: territorial expansion, benefits for workers, and land reform for peasants. Combination of socialism and nationalism: territorial expansion, benefits for workers, and land reform for peasants. Named after fasces: the rods carried by Imperial Roman officials as symbols of power. Named after fasces: the rods carried by Imperial Roman officials as symbols of power. 1920, Mussolini gained support of conservative classes and frightened middle class for anti- Socialist rhetoric; abandoned his socialist programs. 1920, Mussolini gained support of conservative classes and frightened middle class for anti- Socialist rhetoric; abandoned his socialist programs. Blackshirts (squadristi): Paramilitary forces attacked Communists, socialists, and other enemies of the fascist program (later, Hitler's "Brown Shirts" followed this example) Blackshirts (squadristi): Paramilitary forces attacked Communists, socialists, and other enemies of the fascist program (later, Hitler's "Brown Shirts" followed this example)

Fascist Movement March on Rome, October 1922: led to Mussolini taking power March on Rome, October 1922: led to Mussolini taking power Mussolini demanded resignation of existing gov’t and his own appointment by the king. Mussolini demanded resignation of existing gov’t and his own appointment by the king. Large group of Fascists marched on Rome to threaten king to accept Mussolini's demands. Large group of Fascists marched on Rome to threaten king to accept Mussolini's demands. Government collapsed; Mussolini received right to organize a new cabinet (government). Government collapsed; Mussolini received right to organize a new cabinet (government). Victor Emmanuel III gave him dictatorial powers for 1 year to end nation’s social unrest. Victor Emmanuel III gave him dictatorial powers for 1 year to end nation’s social unrest.

The Corporate State Corporate State (syndicalist-corporate system) was the economic basis for Italian fascism. Corporate State (syndicalist-corporate system) was the economic basis for Italian fascism. “Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.” “Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state.” By 1928, all independent labor unions organized into government-controlled syndicates By 1928, all independent labor unions organized into government-controlled syndicates Established organizations of workers and employers and outlawed strikes and walkouts. Established organizations of workers and employers and outlawed strikes and walkouts. Created corporations which coordinated activities between worker-employer syndicates. Created corporations which coordinated activities between worker-employer syndicates. Authority from the top, unlike socialist corporate states where workers made decisions. Authority from the top, unlike socialist corporate states where workers made decisions.

Fascist Rule Right to vote severely limited. Right to vote severely limited. All candidates for Italian parliament selected by Fascist party. All candidates for Italian parliament selected by Fascist party. Government ruled by decree. Government ruled by decree. Dedicated fascists put in control of schools. Dedicated fascists put in control of schools. Created fascist youth movement, labor unions, and other fascist organizations: Dopolavoro (After Work) and Balilla (Fascist Youth Organization) failed to regulate leisure time. Created fascist youth movement, labor unions, and other fascist organizations: Dopolavoro (After Work) and Balilla (Fascist Youth Organization) failed to regulate leisure time.

Fascist Rule Mussolini never became all-powerful Mussolini never became all-powerful Failed in attempt to “Fascistize” Italian society by controlling leisure time Failed in attempt to “Fascistize” Italian society by controlling leisure time Old power structure of conservatives, military, and church remained intact. Old power structure of conservatives, military, and church remained intact. Mussolini never attempted to purge conservative classes. Mussolini never attempted to purge conservative classes. He propagandized and controlled labor but left big business to regulate itself. He propagandized and controlled labor but left big business to regulate itself.

Fascist Rule Did not establish ruthless police state (only 23 political prisoners executed bet ) Did not establish ruthless police state (only 23 political prisoners executed bet ) Racial laws not passed until 1938 and savage persecution of Jews not until late in WWII when Italy was under Nazi control. Racial laws not passed until 1938 and savage persecution of Jews not until late in WWII when Italy was under Nazi control.

Women Under Fascism Divorce abolished and women told to stay home and procreate. Divorce abolished and women told to stay home and procreate. Decreed a special tax on bachelors in Decreed a special tax on bachelors in , women limited by law to a maximum of 10% of better-paying jobs in industry & gov't 1938, women limited by law to a maximum of 10% of better-paying jobs in industry & gov't

Fascist Accomplishments Internal improvements made such as electrification and road building. Internal improvements made such as electrification and road building. More efficient municipal governing. More efficient municipal governing. Suppression of the Mafia Suppression of the Mafia Improvement of the justice system (except for “enemies of the state”) Improvement of the justice system (except for “enemies of the state”) Lateran Pact, 1929, resulted in reconciliation with the papacy Lateran Pact, 1929, resulted in reconciliation with the papacy