I. Fascism: Italian Style

WWII

A. Benito Mussolini1. Young Benito– Socialist Party

Member– Journalist– Moved to escape

military duty in 1902

– Came back to Italy in the 1909

– Is an anti-royalist

2. WWI– Socialist Party splits up over

whether or not to join the war

– Mussolini sides with those who want to join the war

– They call themselves: Fasci d'azione rivoluzionaria internazionalista

– Served in the Italian army from 1915-1917

B. Fascists Take Over in Italy

1. What is Fascism– A political theory that calls for a strong

government ran by one person.– The state or government is more important than

individuals

2. Fascist Party in Italy– Becomes a political party in 1919– Mussolini gets into parliament in 1921

3. Fascisti Activities– Armed squads of war veterans terrorized:• Communists• Socialists• Radicals

– Acted as strike breakers

4. Mussolini and his Blackshirts March on Rome– Mussolini’s followers were called “blackshirts” because of

the color of their uniforms– They marched on Rome in 1922 – demanded the government do something about the

radicals– The King grants Mussolini dictatorial powers (lasted over

two decades)

C. Fascist Italy1. Police State– Mussolini used secret police to keep people under

control– Blackshirts terrorized anyone who was against the

Fascist government

2. Government by Propaganda– Fascists owned most newspapers– Journalist had to swear oaths to the Fascist party– Mussolini was called Il Duce and a legend about his

greatness was spread– Dates were written: 13th of June of the 11th year of

Mussolini's power

D. Mussolini and Hitler1. Blue print for Nazis– Mussolini’s Fascist

government would be copied by Hitler

– Hitler would copy his political and economic set up

2. Axis Powers– Mussolini coined

the phrase “Axis Powers”

– Military Treaties were signed between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy

– Mussolini called it a “Pact of Steel”