Benito Mussolini & Italian Fascism 1883 - 1945 Prime Minister of Italy from 1922 – 1943 Ruled constitutionally until 1925 Established dictatorship Nickname Il Duce “The Leader” Desired to delay WWII but sided with Germany June 10, 1940. Early Life Father was blacksmith and socialist Mother was Catholic schoolteacher Eldest of 3 children Named after famous Mexican and Italian socialists Learned anarchist, military authoritarian nationalism from father Fascism • New, militant political movement that emphasized loyalty to the state and obedience to its leader • Shared ideas but no clearly defined theory or program • Extreme nationalism: -extreme loyalty to one’s country • Authoritarian leader to guide and bring order to the state • Nations must struggle – peaceful states will be conquered Communism vs. Fascism Similarities • Rule by dictators allowing only one political party – no democracy • Denial of individual rights • State is supreme Differences Classless society Every class has place and purpose International scope Nationalists Working classes Aristocrats & Industrialists Paris Peace Conference of 1919 At the end of WWI, Italy gets little Rising inflation and unemployment Italians disappointed in seemingly weak democratic government Desire a leader who would be strong and take action Mussolini Promises Change • Newspaper editor and aspiring politician • Established Fascist Party in 1919 (WWI?) Directly after the end of WW1 (1918) • Promises to revive Italian economy and rebuild its armed forces • As economic and social conditions worsened, his Fascist Party gained popularity • Preyed upon upper class fear of working classes March on Rome October 1922 (Two years before death of Lenin) 30,000 Fascists march to Italian capital Demand that King Emmanuel III put Mussolini in charge of gov’t. After violence and threatened uprising, Mussolini takes power “legally” Italy under Mussolini • Abolished democracy • Outlawed all political parties except Fascist Party • Secret police jailed anyone opposed • Radio stations and publications could only issue Fascist doctrines • Outlawed labor strikes Never had the complete control that Stalin had in Russia or Hitler in Germany Mussolini’s hands on approach Mussolini’s not afraid of a little work… Mussolini, Man of Sports & Leisure Putin, a Mussolini rip-off? Mussolini’s HEADquarters Rome, Italy BFFs Mussolini meets Hitler Mussolini, Master of Propaganda .