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The Looming Threat of War: Italy. 1917 Ally of U.S. in WWI promised Austrian territory in return 1920s Internal problems: economy and class tensions, unemployment, and inflation 1920s Communists started organizing the poor strikes.
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1917Ally of U.S. in WWIpromised Austrian territory in return • 1920sInternal problems: economy and class tensions, unemployment, and inflation • 1920sCommunists started organizing the poorstrikes
Benito Mussolinipowerful speaker and demagogue (fears) • Blamed Communists, labor leaders, and weak politicians • Restore Italy to honor, glory, and prosperity
1919, Fascist Partyextreme nationalism and race • Opposed democracy: the power of one • 1922 Mussolini lead thousands of “Black Shirts” in a march on Romeseized control of gov’t “Believe! Obey! Fight!” • 1935 invaded Ethiopia