Mussolini and Fascist Italy

1. Mussolini and Fascist Italy By Molly Olmstead

2. Background Italy not unified until 1870! WWI Italy’s first great war Does not prove to be a military power High inflation, low wages Bruised pride Government not concerned with issues of the people Need strong leader

3. Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) Leader of Fascist Movement Originally a Socialist Background as a journalist Becomes Dictator 1922

4. Italian Fascism Popular conservative social movement Totalitarian “cult of state worship” State is Absolute and all individuals and groups only relative State is supreme Militaristic and imperialistic

5. Fascism Sicilian word fasci (group) Latin fasces Referred to bundle of bound sticks Symbol of power in Ancient Rome Adopted as party symbol

6. Fascist Party Formed on Nov 8, 1921 Strict hierarchy Mussolini, Il Duce, above hierarchy Gained most support from ex-soldiers, who favored his hierarchy and discipline in support of the national cause

7. March on Rome October 27, 1922 Over 100,000 Fascist threaten revolt in Rome King Victor Emmanuel II declares Mussolini Prime Minister because he feared civil war Once in control, Mussolini makes the parliament powerless, destroys labor unions, deprives workers the right to strike, implements strict censorship laws, and abolishes all other political parties

8. 2nd Roman Empire Mussolini wanted to re-create the Roman Empire Resumed imperialistic ventures in Africa Occupied Libya 1923-31 War (victory) with Abyssinia (Ethiopia) 1935 Invasion of Albania 1939 May 9, 1936 declared “Fascist Empire”

9. Propaganda Glories of Ancient Rome Makes constant references to past greatness Inspire nationalism Encouraged the idea that Italy was once great and thus could be again Connection between modern Italians and Ancient Romans

10. Speeches Mussolini’s speeches connect modern Italy to the powerful Roman Empire: “Think of the Punic Wars when the Battle of Cannae threatened to crush Rome. But at Zama, Rome destroyed Carthage and wiped it out from geography and history forever. Our capacity to recuperate in moral and material fields is really formidable and constitutes one of the peculiar characteristics of our race.” “Rome was victorious after Zama, but it was great after Cannae. I do not say the in our veins flows all the blood which flowed in the veins of the ancient Romans, but it is certain that we are the people in whose veins flows the greatest portion of that blood which flowed in the veins of ancient Romans. And we shall prove it. Therefore we will hold fast. This is imposed upon us by duty, honor, and by dignity.”

11. Military Milizia Voluntaria per la Sicurezza Nazional 1923 “Battle for Births” Hoped to increase the population from 40,000 to 60,000 Encouraged families to have more children Meant more boys for military service and support in general Birth rates actually fell!

12. Mussolini & Hitler Friendship develops 1936 Alliance = Axis powers Hitler dominates, follows own international policy Mussolini continues support because he wants the glory associated with his victory Italy does not fare well, too late to pull out Anti- German, anti-war sentiments

13. Fall of Fascism Mussolini resigns Hitler invades and establishes a puppet government with Mussolini at head 1943 April 1945 captured by Italian partisans April 28th, Mussolini and his wife shot and bodies hung upside down in Milan square

14. As prepared by Molly Olmstead On behest of Linda Hoerling to support instruction of WWI.