1. Post war Italy Did not get all promised land
Inspired by revolution in Russia
Government split into feuding factions

2. Benito Mussolini Socialist in early youth
1919, organized veterans and other Italians into Fascist Party
Latin word fasces
Ancient Rome symbolized unity and authority

3. Mussolini’s rise to power
“Black Shirts”- party militants
Used intimidation and terror
Italians accepted lost faith in gov’t

4. March On Rome-1922
Rally in Naples  announce intention to go to Rome, demand changes
King Victor Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to form gov’t as prime minister
Appointment from king to lead Italy

5. Mussolini’s rule 1925- Il Duce
Support from Pope recognized Vatican City as independent state
Took economy under state control
Wages low, strikes forbidden
Fascist youth groups

6. Totalitarian state
One-party dictatorship attempts to regulate every aspect of lives of its citizens
Stalin and Hitler

7. What is Fascism? No unifying theory as Marxist
Centralized, authoritarian gov’t not communist; policies glorify state over individual
Destructive to basic human rights

8. Basic features of fascism
Rooted in extreme nationalism
Glorified action, violence, discipline, blind loyalty to state
Aggressive foreign expansion
“survival of the fittest”
Antidemocratic

9. Fascism vs. Communism Nationalist goals
Allies in business leaders, wealthy land owners, and lower middle class
International change
Classless society
Power by inspiring blind devotion to state/leader
Flourished in economic hardships
Party elite claimed to rule for national interest