Chapter 17 Crisis of Democracy in the West

Section 3 - Fascism in Italy

Setting the Scene “I hated politics and politicians,” said Italo Balbo. Like many Italian veterans of World

War I, he had come home to a land of economic chaos and political corruption. Italy's constitutional government, he felt,

"had betrayed the hopes of soldiers, reducing Italy to a shameful peace/'

Disgusted and angry, Balbo rallied behind a fierce nationalist, Benito Mussolini. Mussolini's rise to power in the 1920s

served as a model for ambitious strongmen elsewhere in Europe.

I. Rise of MussoliniIn 1919 Italian nationalists were outraged by the Paris peace treaties, and chaos broke out at home

I. Rise of MussoliniTrade declined, taxes rose, WWI veterans faced unemployment - the government seemed powerless to end the crisis

King Victor Emmanuel III

I. Rise of MussoliniItalian nationalist Benito Mussolini organized veterans and other discontented Italians into the Fascist party in 1919

I. Rise of MussoliniMussolini’s supporters, the “Black-shirts,” used intimidation and terror to take control of the government

I. Rise of MussoliniIn 1922, the Fascists “March on Rome" forced King Victor Emmanuel III to ask Mussolini to become prime minister

A picture of the March on Rome, after which Mussolini was named Prime Minister of Italy

II. Mussolini's ItalyBy 1925 Mussolini took the title II Duce, "The Leader," and Italy became a dictatorship ruled by terror, secret police and propaganda

II. Mussolini's ItalyMussolini created a "corporate state" by taking control of the economy but keeping capitalism

Mussolini looks over city plans for a new town

II. Mussolini's ItalyTo Fascists, the individual was unimportant – people were bombarded with slogans glorifying the state and Mussolini

Above are examples of publications reflecting Italian fascism.

II. Mussolini's ItalyMen were urged to be ruthless, selfless warriors for Italy and women were to "win the battle of motherhood"

II. Mussolini's ItalyFascist youth groups taught children to obey strict military discipline and learn about the glories of ancient Rome

This photograph glorifies the martial spirit and physical prowess of Italian youth. Note the line of young men waiting calmly in turn to leap over the wall of fixed bayonets

III. What Is Fascism?The term Fascism describes any authoritarian government that is not communist

III. What Is Fascism?Fascism was rooted in extreme nationalism that glorified action, violence, discipline, and blind loyalty to the state

Believe, Obey, Fight

III. What Is Fascism?The Fascists were enemies of socialism, communism, and democracy

Mussolini and Hitler

III. What Is Fascism?Fascists pursued aggressive expansion and Social Darwinism, glorifying warfare as a necessary and noble struggle for survival

Fascism tries to interfere with people thinking for themselves. All it tolerates is obedience to the leader, rallied by contrived emotions, and a ready willingness to fight. These themes dominate the above propaganda posters from Mussolini's time

III. What Is Fascism?Mussolini built the first totalitarian state, which became a model for Stalin in the Soviet Union and Hitler in Germany

III. What Is Fascism?All three governments shared some basic features

(1) a single-party dictatorship

(2) state control of the economy

(3) use of police spies and terror to enforce the

will of the state

(4) strict censorship and government monopoly

of the media

(5) use of schools and the media to indoctrinate

and mobilize citizens

(6) unquestioning obedience to a single leader

III. What Is Fascism?Fascism appealed to many Italians by promising a strong government and reviving national pride

Looking Ahead

Three systems of government competed for influence in postwar Europe. Democracy

endured in Britain and France but faced an uphill struggle in hard times. Communism emerged in Russia and won support elsewhere, but many

people saw it as a dangerous threat.

In Italy, fascism offered a different formula. Its chest-thumping calls for action, national unity,

and dedication to the state ignited patriotic feeling. As the Great Depression spread, other nations—most notably Germany— looked to

leaders who preached fascist ideology.