Mussolini & Italian Fascism

1. Mussolini & Italian Fascism Fascist Fallout from WWI

2. Young Mussolini • Strong Italian nationalist, wanted Italy in WWI. • Fought in WWI, outraged at Versailles treaty (Italians snubbed). • 1919—Organizes his first paramilitary organization.

3. Postwar Italy • Economic depression in cities, high unemployment. • Socialists urge strikes, land reform. • Peasants attacked landlords, trying to take land. • Parliamentary governments are ineffective to fix problems. • Fascist “Black Shirts” and Socialists fight in cities & countryside.

5. Fascists Take Power • Mussolini promises restoration of land and order. • “Black Shirts” break up strikes and attack union halls. • Wishes to recreate Roman Empire & Italian grandeur. • Black Shirts march on Rome (like Red Shirts), Mussolini appointed premier & emergency powers for a year (1922).

6. Mussolini Consolidates Power • Reduced parliamentary power. • Dissolved labor unions. • Abolished political parties. • Denounced democracy as a sham. • Proclaims himself as Duce (leader). • Creates Fascist organizations (women, opera, bowling…etc.) • 22 “Corporations” organized by occupation • Declares “third path” (neither capitalism nor Marxism).

7. Put a lid on it! • No real advances or reforms made in economy or countryside. • Mussolini gets great press for “making the trains run on time.” • Concordat signed with Vatican gains support from peasants, papacy. • Monarchy remained in place. • Made Italy feel self-confident again.