1. Italian Fascism

2. Immediate Post-WW I Italy
Fascism was a product anxiety and fear among the middle class of post-war Italy:
Fears regarding the survival of capitalism.
Economic depression.
The rise of militant groups.
A feeling of national shame and humiliation because of the Treaty of Versailles

3. Crisis Leads to Fascism
Worldwide depression  millions lost faith in democracy
Fascism: loyalty to state & obedience to leader, extreme nationalism, one-party rule
Fascist promise – revive economy, punish those responsible, restore national pride

4. The Fasces Symbol Comes from the Latin word fasces.
In ancient Rome, the fasces were cylindrical bundles of wooden rods, tied tightly together around an axe.
They symbolize unity and power.

5. The Rise of Mussolini

6. Mussolini Comes to Power
Mussolini: Promises to rescue economy & rebuild army
1919: Founded Fascist Party
Black Shirts wage terror
1921 election  Fascists included on ballot
they win 35 seats.
October, 1922  Mussolini threatened a coup d’etat.
“March on Rome”  25,000 Black Shirts staged demonstrations throughout the capital.

7. Mussolini Forms a Government
King Victor Emmanuel III makes Mussolini Prime Minister
Giving Mussolini the power to lead Italy
1925  Mussolini seized dictatorial powers during a political crisis
Black Shirts murdered one of Mussolini’s chief Socialist critics, Giacomo Matteotti.

8. Mussolini Consolidate Power (1925-1931)
New laws passed to create a single-party state:
Independent political parties & trade unions were abolished.
Strict Censorship for press and radio.
Special courts created to persecute any political opposition.
National police force created
with a secret police component.

9. A Young Benito Mussolini

10. Mussolini in the early part of his dictatorship

11. Mussolini the Orator

12. The Characteristics of Fascism

13. The Characteristics of Fascism
Powerful and continuing nationalism.
Subordination to the State
State Worship
The Myth of Rebirth
Militarism
Rampant Sexism
Enemies are used as Scapegoats

14. The Characteristics of Fascism
No Recognition of Human Rights
Religion & Government are Intertwined
Disdain for Intellectuals & for the Arts
Government Corruption
Fraudulent Elections
Controlled Mass Media
Labor Power is Suppressed

15. Images of Fascism Jews Are the Enemy!
Some nice rules for a fascist society: Women should not work for a living Women should not wear trousers Women should not wear makeup Women should not wear high-heeled shoes Women should not dye or perm their hair Women should not go on slimming diets
“War is to man what Maternity is to Women”
Mussolini

16. Mussolini Was Hitler’s Role Model