Mussolini and Fascism
- Mussolini was an Italian that grew up with a very socialist father and had a somewhat troubled childhood.
- He initially didn't want to fight in the Great War, but later changed his mind and became devoted to nationalism.
- After stopping work at a socialist newspaper, Mussolini started his own newspaper.
- After the Great War, Italy was unhappy with their victory.
- It was called a "mutilated victory" as Italy was in poor economic condition after the war and didn't get what they wanted from the Treaty of Versailles.
- The government didn't want to intervene with their economy, which didn't fix any of the economic problems of Italy.
- In Italy there was a transformational system, meaning that parties and ideologies were constantly changing.
- This prevented the problems of Italy from being fixed.
- The government was poorly functioning, there was high unemployment, dissapointment from the war and a bad economy.
- There were often lots of strikes and unhappiness.
Rise of the National Fascist Party
- Mussolini was the leader of, and established the National Fascist Party in 1921.
- The National Fascist Party used propaganda and violence to stop strikes and misbehavior.
- Other times they would replace missing work during the strikes.
- Benito Mussolini rose to significant power in 1922.
- Although being somewhat popular in voting, the party couldn't get powerful enough.
- Mussolini would command the local Ras to prevent strikes, etc.
- The Ras grew restless when the Fascist Party couldn't get a majority of the seats, and they wanted a revolution.
- The Fascist Party wasn't very disliked though, so when the Fascist Party went on a march, Mussolini was allowed to be Prime Minister, without leading to a revolution.
- He oddly got nominated by the King, instead of gaining power through a revolution or a coup.
- The Fascist Party used violence and threats to get a majority vote.
- Mussolini started enacting the necessary steps for a totalitarian government.
- The National Fascist Party could use Italy's problems as their advantage.
- They took advantage of unemployment, fear of communism, disappointment from the Great War.
- Gathered popularity through populism.
- They promised employment, the return of the Roman Empire, stability and security.
- Mass events, such as a march to Rome and speeches.
- Political intimidation and violence were important factors of the National Fascist Party's success.
- Important in fascism were worship of the leader and rebuilding the empire, for example Mussolini's photos would be in buildings, classrooms, etc.
- Preventing opposition through violence such as public beatings.
- Backing of the catholic church.
- The Pope was unhappy that he had lost a lot of land during the unification of Italy, however he made an agreement with Mussolini and got ownership of the Vatican lands, gaining the support of the Pope.
- Mussolini and the Pope had some disagreements between Italy's alliance with Nazi Germany, due to the persecution and genocide of the Jews.