The Rise of Totalitarianism

1. The Rise of Totalitarianism p. 434 Fascism Begins in Italy

2. A Winner is a Loser? • EC: During World War I, Italy made a dishonorable choice…… (2) • It changed sides, becoming a traitor to its old allies, Germany and Austria-Hungary • It accepted a bribe of lands made by its new allies, France and Britain • EC: When the War ended, Italy was mistreated by its new allies, not respected….. • Britain and France did not give Italy ALL the land it had been promised. • Some lands went to the new Serbian-led nation of Yugoslavia. • Italians were outraged and spiteful toward France and Britain.

3. EC: Other Italian problems in the early 1920s included: (6) • Soviet Union sent Comintern agents to help Italian Communists • Led strikes and street demonstrations • Peasants seized lands • Workers seized factories • Labor unions demanded better conditions • Trade declined • Returning veterans came home to unemployment • Taxes rose • The coalition government was full of arguing factions and parties.

4. Benito Mussolini: • A lower class man. • Veteran. • He formed a new political party, combining….. • Socialism: • using the government to make life better for the people. Still allowing capitalism. • Nationalism: • using the government to protect the people from internal and external dangers.

5. EC: 1919 • Mussolini began the ______movement, • Fascist • Supported by (2) • fellow unhappy veterans • other discontented Italians. • They began the National Fascist Party. (Partito Nazionale Fascista; PNF) • They promoted: (2) • An end to government corruption • Social law and order

6. Fascism: • a centralized, authoritarian government that is • Anti-Communist, • work for national glory • Demands individual obedience to the state. • Human rights are removed so the state can watch its citizens closely. • Anti-democracy

7. EC: Fascism as a practice: (13) • Extreme nationalism • Action • Violence • Discipline • War • Emotional • National expansion • Struggle for survival, “survival of the fittest” • Anti-democracy • Anti-equality • Anti-freedom • Unthinking loyalty to the state • Supremacy of the state

8. Black Shirts: • Fascists had teams of “combat squads”, wearing black. • They were copying earlier Italian nationalists. • They: • Were against democracy • Favored violent action against people they believed dangerous to Italy • Socialists • Leftist press • Farmer cooperatives • Intimidated and terrorized elected officials until they quit the government • Were supported by most Italians who no longer trusted the old society.

9. March on Rome: • In 1922, Mussolini and Black Shirts demanded control of the national government. • King _________ asked Mussolini to be prime minister and form a new government. • Vittorio Emmanuel III • He became the legal leader of Italy.

10. EC: Mussolini’s government: (5) • Suppressed rival parties • Controlled the press • Rigged elections • Put Fascist supporters into the legislature • Won support from Pope Pius XI • (Mussolini recognized the Vatican as an independent nation state) • Used a secret police to control opposition • Critics imprisoned, exiled, or murdered

11. “Cult of Personality”: • Use of various multimedia propaganda techniques to make the leader or ruling party • “larger than life” • Win popular support • Look like are just people, “political theater”

12. EC: Economic reforms: (10) • Mussolini sought to end problems between business and labor and win support from both: • Government took control of the economy • Capitalism allowed • Committees of business, labor, government, and Fascist representatives called “syndicates” controlled: • Industry • Agriculture • Trade • Prices were controlled • Wages frozen • Workers forbidden to strike

13. Living for “the State”: • Loyalty to state more important than individual rights • EC: Propaganda told all citizens to “____! ____! ____!” (3) • Believe! Obey! Fight! • Men encouraged to be violent, ruthless warriors ready to fight for Italian glory • Women lost jobs as government expected them to return home and raise many Italian babies. • Mothers of 14 or more got a medal from Mussolini, in person! • Children put into strict, militaristic youth groups • Ancient Roman glory • Patriotic songs, chants, and hymns • “Mussolini is always Right!”

14. Totalitarian State: • One party rules the entire government • controls much or most of every citizen’s life. • Stalin’s USSR • Hitler, Nazi Germany • Mussolini, Italy • North Korea • Mao Zedong, China

15. Connection with Past Glory • EC: Italian Fascists used it to connect their 20th century nation with the greatness of the ____ Empire. • Roman

16. EC: What made Fascism appealing to Italians? (6) • Strong, stable government • No political parties arguing as in a democracy • Quick decisions • Feeling of power and confidence from the leader • Promise to end dangers inside and outside of Italy • National pride.

17. Standards Check, p. 435 • How did postwar disillusionment contribute to Mussolini’s rise? • It united Italians in their desire for a new, more effective government, no matter how aggressive.

18. Mussolini’s Italy • By 1925, Fascists ruled most of the government. • Mussolini took the title, • “Il Duce (The Leader)”

19. Mussolini’s government: • Used propaganda to make him popular across Italy. (11) • Statues, • art • Posters, • banners • Newspapers • magazines • Radio • Rallies (electronic PA systems), • parades • film. • Music

20. Standards Check, p. 436 • How did the Fascist party transform Italy’s government and economy? • Fascist Italy: • Government a dictatorship • Terror tactics • State controlled economy • Altered domestic life

21. Thinking Critically, 436-7 • 1 Why did totalitarian governments try to win the loyalty of their nation’ young people? • To create a constant flow of people willing to serve the government • 2 Why did leaders honor women for having many children? • to reinforce traditional roles • To create as many soldiers and loyal citizens as possible.

22. World Opinion • EC: Many nations, even democracies, initially applauded Mussolini… (2) • bringing social order • Eliminating communists and other radicals • economic strength • EC: This feeling would change when (2) • he began attacking north and east Africa, • threatened neighbors in Europe.

23. EC: Mussolini’s totalitarian state and “cult of personality” will be a model for ___ • Adolf Hitler, • Germany, 1930s • Meanwhile, ___ , was his own totalitarian model in the Soviet Union, 1920s and 30s • Josef Stalin • will reign similarly, but develop his own, similar methods, • though adapted for his form of Communism.

24. Standards Check, p. 438 • Describe the similarities between fascism and communism. • Intense loyalty to the government and the leader • Use of terror, • promotion of social change

25. Dictatorship, p. 439 • 1 Why is it difficult for political opponents to succeed against a dictator? • Dictators suppress opponents with violence, imprisonment, and death

26. Quick Write • Why were so many Italians willing to blindly follow Mussolini and his followers?