FASCISM IN ITALY

Unit 6 Lesson 3

Main Idea: Angered by poly & econ problems, many Italians turned to fascism for solutions

Objectives• Explain how conditions in Italy favored the rise of Mussolini

• Describe how Mussolini reshaped Italy• Restate the values and goals of fascist ideology

Warm Up

• What do you know about Italy? Mussolini?

Background- Mussolini

• Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini

• From northern Italy• Moved to Switz. – socialist ideas

• 1919 formed Fascist Party

• Wants to revive Roman greatness and fix econ problems

• “Black Shirts”

Background-Italy• Devastated after WWI

• Economically weak• Break down of public

services

Stop and Think

• What problems did Italy face after WWI?

• How did these problems help Mussolini win power?

• Unemployment• A decline in trade• Rising taxes• Weak and divided government

• His promises to:• revive Rome’s greatness• end corruption

Mussolini's Italy (stop at 19:30)

• Il Duce• Marched on Rome and

seized power• Suppressed rival parties,

muzzled press, rigged elections, replaced elected officials

• Propaganda • Tax on bachelors

• Increase pop growth• Young fascist groups

• Econ under state control• Drainage of several 100k

acres marshland• Increase wheat

production• Construction of highways• Helped private business• renovation and

restoration projects

Via dei Fori ImperialiEUR- Southern Rome

What is Fascism?• Activity-Reading

• Sworn enemies of socialist and communist• Allies w/business leaders, landowners, lower middle class• Totalitarian state

• Single party• Control over econ• Police spies used• Censorship• Propaganda in school & media• obedience

• Promised strong stable govt & end to poly feuds

Closure

• How did WWI pave the way for Mussolini to become a dictator in Italy?