Fascism, Mussolini, and Hitler

What is Fascism?

Fascism is…. Not all of the Fascist parties that sprung across Europe had the same beliefs, but they all had similar ideologies: Term comes from the word fasces –Not tied to an international identity, not aiming to end all class differences –One strong leader who represented all the desires and dreams of the nation –Agnostic towards the modern world

Why Fascism? Spread across Europe because of the unstable conditions of Post WWI, only completely new force among radical post war movements There are 5 key variables in the historic situation of the countries with fascist movements: –National: military defeat, frustration, disunity, status deprivation –Political: countries just beginning the transition to a direct political democracy –Cultural- influence of new philosophies, idealism, material, rationalism – in a nation’s cultural life –Economic- depression or underdevelopment –Social- widespread discontent not merely among the young and sectors of the lower class, but the middle class as well NEED all 5 of these variables present at the same time to get fascism

“Interventionist crisis” Outcome of involvement in war Inflation Paris Peace Conference Mussolini's rise to power Fascism in Italy

Mussolini’s Résumé 1901 member of the Socialist party Switzerland- helped organize workers and gave speeches on behalf of the Italian Socialist party (PSI) Il Popolo- newspaper he published –Gabriele D’Annuzlo- where Mussolini learned about the setup of political propaganda Volunteered for military service

Rise to Power Politically Italy was unstablePolitically Italy was unstable –Fascism –Mussolini founded a movement in Milan on March 23 rd, 1919 – rally of 100 followers (Fascists of the first hour) Members: Veterans, nationalist intellectuals, futurists, former interventionist socialistsMembers: Veterans, nationalist intellectuals, futurists, former interventionist socialists –Most active: Young veterans and lower middle class »Inspired by bravery and comradeship, and bound by loyalty and discipline

The Black Shirts Fascist squads – added a new dangerous element to European PoliticsFascist squads – added a new dangerous element to European Politics –“Squadristi” – led these movements aimed against perceived pacifists with weapons Went against socialists and labor unionistsWent against socialists and labor unionists Terrorized peasant groups and broke up strikesTerrorized peasant groups and broke up strikes –Why do you think this force was necessary to fascism?

Fascist victory attacked the state raiding halls, councils, railroad and telegraph stations- threaten to take over the government itself –Had grown rapidly from 1000 in 1919 to 250,000 in elections- Mussolini and 34 other fascists won seats in the chamber of deputies “March on Rome”- attempt to seize power- forced the King into appointing a fascist government –Mussolini appointed Prime Minister Not a dictator ½ of cabinet were not fascist

Giacomo Mattetti- bold popular socialist that manipulated the election – like fascist didGiacomo Mattetti- bold popular socialist that manipulated the election – like fascist did –Fascists murdered him- lost public support, Anti- fascist leaders withdrew from the parliament January 3, Mussolini delivered the most import speech of his live where he took full responsibility of what happened and claimed he would restore orderJanuary 3, Mussolini delivered the most import speech of his live where he took full responsibility of what happened and claimed he would restore order –Released the second wave of Black Shirts Between 1925 and 1929 rebuilt the fascist stateBetween 1925 and 1929 rebuilt the fascist state The Decline? The Decline?

German Fascism A more through fascist reordering took place in Germany –Nazi regime in January 1933 marks the final stage in the collapse of the Weimar Republic Like Italy also experienced an unstable political system after the war –Muller>Hindenburg>Bruning (assistant) all leaders either socialist or part of the Catholic party Article 48 –Emergency decree that enabled Bruning to govern under a presidential decree Backfired- Nazi party which used to have only 12 seats gained 102 –The following November it became the largest party with 196 seats – Hindenburg ask Hitler to be the chancellor

Adolf Hitler Rejected artist Being appointed was a great accomplishment Was living in Vienna joined the German Worker’s Party 1923 strong enough to size power –Beer Hall Putsch- thought it would set stage to a revolt throughout Germany – prison Mein Kamph- outlined his extremist views and desires shared by German’s to overthrow the treaty of Versailles

Nazis Realized he needed a coup Nazis- corps of armed thugs to support political rallies and disrupt opposing groups meetings Enabling Act Joseph Goebbels –Hitler Youth