Fascist Italy and Mussolini

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Fascist Italy and Mussolini
2
Postwar Discontent

• Italy was disappointed over the failure to obtain
  as much territory as desired from the Treaty of
  Versailles
• Economic Issues
• National currency depreciated by 2/3
• Cost of living increased widespread
  unemployment of returning veterans
• Political instability
• Elections of 1919 - liberal middle-class
  politicians lost control of the govt.
• Socialists now the largest party take control
  of the govt.
• Disruptive worker strikes occupation of estates
  by landless peasants

3
Benito Mussolinis Rise to Power

• Developed Fascism
• Gathered support as an alternative to
  Socialism/Communism as a reaction to poor
  economic conditions
• Formed Fascio di Combattimento (Union of
  Combat) in 1919 made of young thugs veterans to
  enforce his program of reform
• Physically attacked the Socialists and Communists
  with fighting squads of Black Shirts.
• In 1921, reorganized movement into the Italian
  National Fascist Party

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• Supported by Italian industrialists and wealthy
  landowners b/c fear of Communism
• Supported by workers b/c he promised jobs
• Promised to restore the glory of Italy
  establish a 2nd Roman Empire
• The March on Rome (1922) a march of 50k
  Fascist Black Shirts from Naples to the
  capital, to seize power for Mussolini the Party
• Weak King, Victor Emmanuel III, invited Mussolini
  to form a new government, even though the
  Fascists were a minority group in parliament.
• Mussolini became Prime Minister.

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The Fascist Regime

• By 1926, Italy had become a one-party
  dictatorship the Fascist Party
• Mussolini becomes il Duce the leader
• Formed the Corporate State.
• Nation divided economically into 13 corporations
  to regulate working conditions.
• Govt. based on industry
• Glorification of militarism
• Black Shirts reorganized into a national
  Fascist militia incorporated into the army
• Increase of Italys armed forces, with emphasis
  on navy air force
• Programs for training of the youth (boys girls)
  to become Fascists, stressing the motto To
  believe, to obey and to fight

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• Restored Relations w/ the Pope in 1929
• Roman Catholicism recognized as the only state
  religion
• Independence of the Vatican City
• Policy of Mare Nostrum (Our Sea) desire to
  control the Mediterranean
• Policy of imperialistic expansion led to invasion
  of Ethiopia in 1935 Albania in 1939
• Alliance with Nazi Germany Rome-Berlin Axis of
  1936
• Heavy involvement in the Spanish Civil War
  (1936-39) on the side of the Fascist rebels
• Italy withdrew from the League of Nations in 1937
• Benefits prevented communism restored
  patriotism