Download Italy under Fascism, 1922-43 Benito Mussolini • Italy was the first

Italy under Fascism, 1922-43
Benito Mussolini
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Italy was the first country where a fascist dictator came to power.
Benito Mussolini was born in 1883. His father was a blacksmith and his mother
was a teacher.
He became a well-known journalist and at first was a follower of socialism.
Appointed editor of socialist newspaper Avanti. Popular paper.
Joined Italian army to fight for Allies in WWI. Injured in 1917 and left army.
Italy after World War I
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Italy had many problems after World War I.
About half million soldiers killed in war
Communist party popular. Wealthy worried.
On winning side of war but promises made by allies broken and Italy didn’t get all
the land promised to them
High inflation, prices rose quickly. Led to strikes and food riots
Unemployment very high. Former soldiers couldn’t get work. Bored and restless
Members of democratic government seemed weak and corrupt. People wanted
strong leader
Start of Fascist Party
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In 1919, Mussolini set up a new political party called the Fascio di
Combattimento or ‘fighting group. Called Fascist Party for short.
Many Italians hoped the Fascists might solve Italy’s problems.
Party grew in strength between 1919 and 1922.
What Fascists stood for
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Law and order and complete loyalty to Mussolini.
Dictatorship; felt democracy divided and weakened country.
War was good; young men should always be ready to fight.
Armed Fascists were known as Blackshirts because of uniform they wore. Gangs of
Blackshirts beat up and terrorised socialists, communists and any opposition
Tried to copy Ancient Romans:
o Hoped to build empire like Ancient Rome.
o Emblem of Fascist Party was fasces
o (bundle of rods with axe) as it was an Ancient Roman
o symbol of authority.
o Straight armed fascist salute copied that of Roman emperors.
Believed woman’s place was in home. Should have as many children as possible.
‘March on Rome’
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In October 1922 Mussolini organised a big march on Rome in an effort to seize
control of Italy.
The Prime minister asked the King for help.
He refused! The PM resigned.
King asked Mussolini to be Prime Minister.
The fascists had gained power without a shot being fired or winning an election!
Dictator
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Once Mussolini gained power, he became a dictator.
 He banned all political parties except for the Fascist party. He then passed
a law stating that only Fascist men could vote.
 Parliament lost its power. Mussolini now had all power and became
known as Il Duce (the leader).
 Trade unions were banned.
 Italy became a police state. Blackshirts given leading jobs in police force.
Could do what they wanted without fear of arrest.
 Secret police, OVRA, kept eye on people. Anti-fascists beaten, arrested or
murdered.
 Teachers had to take oath of loyalty to fascist government. Students
taught that ‘Mussolini is always right’. children over 8 encouraged to join
fascist youth movement (Balilla).
Early popularity
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In beginning, Mussolini seemed to have the support of most Italians.
He controlled all Italian newspapers, radio and films. Used them as propaganda
tools to portray him as strong, brave and caring leader.
Introduced public works, such as the building of motorways and draining of
marshes. These projects provided employment.
Powerful businessmen supported his banning of trade unions and persecuting of
communists.
Mussolini and Catholic Church
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98% of Italians were Catholics and the Pope lived in Rome. Old row between Pope
and Italy, when Papal States that Pope ruled was taken over by Italy.
In 1929 Mussolini and Pope Pius XI settled this when they signed the Lateran Treaty
and Concordat. Under this:
o The Pope got an independent Vatican State within the City of Rome.
o Church compensated for property that had been taken from it.
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o Catholicism became official religion of Italy.
Lateran Treaty important for Mussolini. Made him look like great statesman on
international scene and popular with Catholics in Italy.
Foreign Policy
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Mussolini wanted Italy to have a great empire like the Romans had.
He tried to take over the Greek island of Corfu but the League of Nations stopped
him.
After that he cooperated with Britain and France to keep peace in Europe.
When Hitler came to power in Germany, Mussolini opposed his plan to take over
Austria.
But all the time Mussolini was planning expansion.
Invasion of Abyssinia
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Mussolini invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1935.
Abyssinia was member of League of Nations and asked for help.
League imposed sanctions on Italy (i.e. it told its members no trade with Italy).
Britain and France reluctantly accepted this decision, but Hitler supported
Mussolini.
Mussolini changes sides
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This prompted Mussolini to change sides.
In 1936 he made an alliance- the Rome-Berlin Axis- with Hitler.
In 1939 this became the Pact of Steel.
The two fascist dictators also made an anti-communist alliance with Japan.
Italy and World War II
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When the second World War began in 1939 Mussolini remained neutral.
When the Germans defeated the French in 1940 he joined the war on their side.
His armies invaded Greece and tried to invade Egypt.
The Italian armies were defeated, even when Hitler sent German troops to help
them.
In 1943 Britain and America invaded Italy.
Mussolini removed from power
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The King sacked Mussolini but Hitler rescued him.
In 1945 when the Germans were defeated, Mussolini was captured by antifascist Italians and executed.