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Fascism in Italy and Spain

Fascism in Italy and Spain . Mussolini and Franco. Italy after the Great War. Lira became worth less, prices soared Shortage of coal limited production Widespread unemployment Workers began to strike, spread to rural peasants. Benito Mussolini.

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Fascism in Italy and Spain

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  1. Fascism in Italy and Spain Mussolini and Franco

  2. Italy after the Great War • Lira became worth less, prices soared • Shortage of coal limited production • Widespread unemployment • Workers began to strike, spread to rural peasants

  3. Benito Mussolini • 1919 formed the Fasci di Combattimento (Fascist party) • Fascism: glorification of the state, strong ruler • Unlike communism there was still private property and classes • Followers called “Blackshirts,” used violence and force against opponents • Democratic government did nothing to stop the Fascists Fasces: Ancient Roman symbol of Authority; bundle of rods around an ax

  4. Fascists Seize Power • October 1922, Fascists marched on Rome • Mussolini waited in Milan to judge reaction • Cabinet asked King Victor Emmanuel III to declare martial law, he refused • Cabinet resigned and king made Mussolini the Prime Minister • 1924 Blackshirts used terror to make Fascists win majority in Italian Parliament • Mussolini called himself Il Duce-“the leader”

  5. Mussolini’s Government • Became dictator • Set up a Corporate State • Banned non-fascist parties • Ordered Syndicates formed • Corporations of workers and employers in each industry • They would send representatives to the legislature; set wages, policies, production • Fascists arrested and murdered any who opposed Mussolini

  6. Mussolini’s Army • Italy’s destiny to recapture glory of Ancient Rome • Conscripted all men to 4 years service; 11 years reserve • Military training for youth groups • Bonuses to large families (their sons would be soldiers) • Hindered by Italy’s lack of coal, iron, and oil

  7. What’s up with Spain? • Civil War: 1936-1939 • Years of social and economic chaos forced King Alfonso XIII to abdicate in 1931 • Spain became a republic • Began reforms: redistributed land from nobles to peasants; Catholic Church less power over education • Conservatives (right-wing) opposed reforms wanted the old regime • Led by Francisco Franco (El Caudillo) • Fought against Spanish Republicans for three years

  8. Foreign Intervention • Soviets supported Loyalists (Spanish Republicans) • Germany and Italy supported Franco; Hitler saw it as a way to strengthen relationship with Italy and get Spanish iron for the Luftwaffe (German Air force) • Formed Condor Legion; German force who used new military weapons and technology on Spanish towns to test them out • Volunteers from GB, France, US joined an international brigade to fight for the Republicans against the Fascists (the Western governments refused to intervene) • Franco eventually won and Spain became fascist; Franco did not join with Germany and Italy • Over 500,000 Spaniards had died

  9. Picasso’s Guernica

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