Rise of Totalitarianism

Italian FascismDirections: Answer the following question based on the information in the presentation.

1) Why did Italy join the Allies in World War One?

2) Why did Italians feel as if they were treated unfairly by the Treaty of Versailles?

3) Why would Italians fear a Communist Revolution in 1920? (What event occurred only 3 years earlier?)

4) Why were the people of Italy willing to support Mussolini?

5) What is the main difference between Communism and Fascism?

6) How does Mussolini portray himself in public? What image does he want to public to have of him – this Cult of Personality

7) What are some of the accomplishments of Fascist Italy?

8) Why would Mussolini invade Ethiopia and send troops into Spain?

9) For what reasons did Italy and Germany form an alliance?

10) What lead to the demise of Mussolini?

11) How did the people of Italy feel about the death of Mussolini? Why?

ASSIGNMENT: Read the following textbook excerpts and answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper or on the back of this package:

1. How did post-war disillusionment (sadness, frustration) lead to Mussolini’s rise to power?

2. In what ways did the Fascist party transform Italy’s government and economy?

3. What are the characteristics of fascism and how does Mussolini exhibit those? (give specific examples)

4. Why did totalitarian leaders try and influence and recruit the young?