Fascism

1. Fascism Objective: Students will develop an understanding of Fascism.

2. Fascism: fascio: Group or squad. • (fasces) Italian word for an axe bundled with sticks. • Symbol of authority of Roman Republic • Fascio di Combattimento: Italian Fascist party, first development of “fascism” as a form of government. • http://www.prisonplanet.com/articles/january2005/130105fascistsymbols.htm

4. What is fascism??? • According to Mussolini… “The man of Fascism is an individual who is nation and fatherland, which is a moral law, binding together individuals and the generations into a tradition and a mission, suppressing the instinct for a life enclosed within the brief round of pleasure in order to restore within duty a higher life free from the limits of time and space: a life in which the individual, through the denial of himself, through the sacrifice of his own private interests, through death itself, realizes that completely spiritual existence in which his value as a man lies.” • Benito Mussolini

5. “...The Fascist accepts life and loves it, knowing nothing of and despising suicide: he rather conceives of life as duty and struggle and conquest, but above all for others -- those who are at hand and those who are far distant, contemporaries, and those who will come after...” • Benito Mousslini

6. “Fascism is a form of political and social behavior that arises when the middle class, finding its hopes frustrated by economic instability coupled with political polarization and deadlock, abandons traditional ideologies and turns, with the approbation of police and military forces, to a poorly-defined but emotionally appealing soteriology of national unity, immediate and direct resolution of problems, and intolerance for dissent.” (Chuck Anesi, 2008)

7. Michael Mann is a historical sociologist and Professor of Sociology at UCLA.  In his book Fascists (Cambridge University Press, 2004)   he provides the following definition:   • “Fascism is the pursuit of a transcendent and cleansing nation-statism through paramilitarism.”  (Mann, op. cit., p. 13)

8. Transcendence: Belief that the state can transcend social conflict and blend all social classes into a harmonious whole. Belief in the power of political ideology to transcend human nature and produce a better world. Cleansing (ethnic): Favoring one or more ethnic or racial groups over others, either by granting special privileges or imposing disabilities; deportation of ethnic minorities, or worse. Cleansing (political): Silencing the political opposition so that the transcendent aims of fascism can be realized. Restricting the freedom of speech, outlawing opposition parties, imprisoning political opponents (or worse) and indoctrinating youth in fascist principles. Statism: Promoting a high degree of state intervention in personal, social, or economic matters. Belief that the state can accomplish anything. Nationalism: Belief in the inherent unity of a population with distinct linguistic, physical, or cultural characteristics and its identification with a nation-state. Belief that the nation possesses special attributes that make it superior to other nations in some or all ways. Paramilitarism: "Grass roots", populist squadrism aimed at coercing opponents and obtaining popular approbation by acting as a supplementary police force.

9. Italy after World War I • The conditions were right for fascism to take hold • Weak political leadership and ineffective government • Economic turmoil • Social discontent • Growing fear of socialism • Disappointment over Italy’s limited territorial gains from the Treaty of Versailles

10. Benito Mussolini • Began as a socialist but came to think that World War I marked a turning point for Italy and something else was needed • By 1921, had 35 fascists elected to the Italian parliament • Used armed squads known as Blackshirts to threaten socialists • Used violence and fear to garner “support” for the new politico Mussolini surrounded by supporters

11. Benito Mussolini • On Oct 28, 1922, Mussolini’s followers marched on Rome. The king knew that to resist would lead to Revolution. • The next day the King asked Mussolini to become Prime Minister and form a new government • By 1926, Mussolini had seized total power as dictator and became Il Duce (“the leader”) • PRIDE, GLORY, HONOUR • Fascist slogan

12. The Fascist State by 1929 • Mussolini • Eliminated all other political parties • Curbed freedom of the press • Outlawed free speech and association • Crushed labor unions and prohibited strikes • Improved agriculture and industry, increasing employment. • Labeled Jews unpatriotic and banned them from government employment • Gained support from the Pope by declaring the Vatican under the sovereignty of the Pope’s authority. • Increased the military (employment, paramilitarism, nationalism) • Mussolini may have done many brutal and tyrannical things; he may have destroyed human freedom in Italy; he may have murdered and tortured citizens whose only crime was to oppose Mussolini; but one had to admit one thing about the Dictator: he “made the trains run on time.” • Ashley Montagu and Edward Darling

14. Italian Imperial Intentions: • August 27, 1923, Tellini and three assistants were assassinated. • Albanians blamed Greeks, Greeks blamed Albanians. • August 29, 1923, Italian Ultimatum: • Italians demanded $50 M Lire, and execution of the assassins • Italy attacked and occupied Corfu on August 31, 1923 • Greece appealed to the League of Nations for intervention (again) • League of Nations commission determined that Italy had to leave but Greece had to pay all reparations. • (2nd decision– Ask me about the first decision!!) • Italy withdrew on September 27, 1923. • League a success? • Italy a success? Corfu Crisis: • Boundary dispute between Greece and Albania. • 2nd dispute involving Greece (Bulgarian Crisis of 1925) • LoN told Greece to get out– Considered a success • League of Nations to resolve boundary dispute • Italians were delegates to the League of Nations • GeneralTellini- Chairperson

15. Great Depression Changes EVERYTHING • Times are hard and national leaders begin looking for alliances, answers, and RESOURCES. • Manchurian Crisis (we’ll talk about this later. ) • Abyssinian Crisis (we’ll talk about this now )

16. Abyssinian Crisis • (Abyssinia is modern day Ethiopia) • Was an Italian colony until 1896 when the Abyssinians revolted and pushed Italy out, established a monarchy. • Mussolini was determined to regain Abyssinia. • December 1934, accused Abyssinia of aggression • Successes with the Corfu Incident emboldened Mussolini in his African quest. • October 1935, Mussolini invaded Abyssinia • By May 1936, Abyssinians defeated, declared Italian colony. • United Italian East Africa

17. Why do we care about Abyssinia? • Abyssinia and Italy were both members of the League of Nations • Abyssinia appealed to the League. The LoN decided to impose economic sanctions against Italy to make them retreat. Took 6 weeks to organize Not all members complied Did not include oil sanctions (ask me why!) • Britain and France concerned about provoking Italy • Gibraltar, Mediterranean, Suez, Africa, • (Pacification: KBPP: early appeasement) • Countries (led by Italy and Germany) begin to withdraw from the League by 1937. League dismantled.

18. Great LoN • Was the League Successful in the 1920s?

19. Mussolini and Hitler • Mussolini became friends with Adolf Hitler and in 1936 declared world history would revolve around a Rome-Berlin axis • In May 1939, Mussolini and Hitler signed a ten-year Pact of Steel