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Fascism In Italy. Rise of Mussolini Ms. Garratt. Post WWI Problems. Italian nat’lists felt betrayed by Paris peace treaties. Yugoslavia Veterans returned to econ & pol chaos Strikes Unemployment Conflict between workers & industry Feuding political factions
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Fascism In Italy Rise of Mussolini Ms. Garratt
Post WWI Problems • Italian nat’lists felt betrayed by Paris peace treaties. • Yugoslavia • Veterans returned to econ & pol chaos • Strikes • Unemployment • Conflict between workers & industry • Feuding political factions • Mussolini responds to these problems by creating the Fascist party
What is Fascism? • Extreme form of aggressive nationalism • Anti-democratic • Anti-communist • Race used to justify aggression & Social Darwinism. • Individuals subservient to the state. • Children were indoctrinated • Strict obedience. demanded
Mussolini – Il Duce • Organized the Fascist party • Spoke of reviving Roman glory • Organized “black shirts” (combat gangs)which used violence & terror against political opponents such as communists.
March on Rome 1922 • Demands change in gov • King succumbs • Allows him to become the prime minister
Mussolini’s “Totalitarian” Italy • Single party Dictatorship • State terrorism & police spies • Use of schools & media for indoctrination • State control of the econ • Censorship • Demands absolute obedience
Corporate State: Economic Policy • Economy was under state control. • His “corporate state” preserved some elements of capitalism but policy was forged with representatives from business, labor & the fascist gov. • The economy did show improvement. • This came at labor’s expense as strikes were outlawed & wages dropped.
Social Policies • Citizens were bombarded with slogans glorifying the state & Musso. • “Believe, obey, fight” were blasted from loudspeakers. • “A minute on the battlefield is worth a lifetime of peace” was the fascist position. • Women were expected to be “baby machines” • Women who bore 14 or more children were rewarded w/ medals from Musso himself.
Similarities of Communism & Fascism • Both flourished during difficult economic times. • Both promoted extreme programs of social change. • Both had totalitarian governments to bring about a social revolution. • Both were dictatorships. • The USSR, Italy, Japan & Germany were all totalitarian regimes.
Totalitarianism • Single party dictatorship. • (2) State controlled economy. • (3) Use of spies & state terrorism. • (4) Strict censorship & control of the media. • (5) Use of schools & media to indoctrinate & mobilize citizens. • (6) Civil rights are sacrificed for strict obedience to the state. • (7) War & militarism are glorified
Mussolini & Totalitarianism • Musso built the 1st totalitarian state which was never as extreme as Germany’s or Soviet Unions. • What was its appeal? • Promised strong, stable gov & to end political feuding which had paralyzed democracy. • Nationalism appealed to many – revived nat’l pride • Promised to restore the former glory of the Roman Empire by turning the Mediterranean into a Roman lake. • Projected sense of power during times of despair & disorder
For more information of totalitarianism go towww.fresno.k12.ca.us/.../totalitarianism.htm
Three Ideologies • Three ideologies vied for power during the postwar years. • Democracy in Brit & Fr was challenged by difficult economic challenges & labor. • Communism in USSR – attractive to some workers but seen as a threat to capitalist govs • Fascism in Germ & Italy attractive for its appeal to national unity & patriotism. As the Great Depression deepens fascist ideology will become more attractive.