Rise of Italian Fascism

Q: Why did fascism emerge in Italy?

• Italy in World War I• Casualties• Economic Crisis• Rise of the left• National goals not met

Italia Irredenta

Benito Mussolini

Fascism- Ultra nationalism- Highly militaristic- Anti-democratic- Hatred for communism and socialism- Glorifies mythical past- Corporate state

Fasces

Which italians would find fascist ideas appealing?

• Business owners and managers• Land owners• Displaced soldiers• Nationalistic working class

Q: What methods did Mussolini use to gain support for his movement?

Squadistri “Black Shirts”

March on Rome

What would Mussolini need to do to consolidate his support?

• What elements of power did he not yet hold?• Which groups or institutions in Italian society

would he need to deal with in order to be unchallenged?

• What methods could he use?

Political actions:

•Acerbo Law• - 25% of popular vote = 2/3 of

seats in parliament•Single Party State (ban other

parties)•State media and censorship•OVRA secret police

Matteotti incident

Building a fascist society

Lateran Treaty