The Rise of Fascism
Italy after WWI
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After WWI, most people in Italy were very disillusioned.
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Reasons Why:
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1. They felt short-changed by the Treaty of Versailles because they
received no territory even though they were on the winning side.
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2. There was lots of unemployment.
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3. There were constant strikes by workers. Uprisings of peasants.
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4. There were many Communists in Italy which scared many of the
middle and upper-class people.
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The democratic government didn’t seem to be able to do anything
about any of these problems.
People Look for New Alternatives
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Because there seemed to be so many problems,
people began to be critical of their democratic
governments.

People began looking for new leaders and
political ideas to help solve the Problems.
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Some people looked to Communism as a
possible solution.
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Others looked to Fascism.
What is Fascism?

A right-wing form of government in which the nation (or
state) is supreme.
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A Totalitarian dictatorship (a strong leader).
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Individual rights are less important than what is good for
the country.
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Anti-communist.
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Extremely nationalistic.
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Seeks greatness and glory for the nation.
Who would support Fascism?
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People who don’t feel democracy is working.
People (middle-class and upper-class) who fear
that Communists will take over.
People who have great pride in their country and
think a great leader can make the country great.
Benito Mussolini


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A former school teacher
and Socialist journalist.
Served in the Italian army
during WWI and became
very nationalistic
(abandoned socialism).
Formed the National
Fascist Party in 1919.
What does Fascist mean?


Fascio in Italian
means—”Bundle of
Sticks.”
It was a reference to
the Latin Fasces (the
bundle of rods that
were the ancient
Roman symbol of
state power).
What the Fascists Promise


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They will make the country a great world
power.
They will restore order and prevent
communism and create jobs.
Appeal emphasizes a promising future by
emphasizing the glory of the past.
The Black Shirts

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The Black shirts were bands of
young fascists who bullied (and
even killed) political opponents.
Usually aimed their attacks against
Communists and union workers.
Were secretly provided with money
and weapons by landowners and
the urban wealthy.
The March on Rome


1922, The Fascists March towards Rome—the
Italian capital—saying they need to take over
the government to save the country.
The Italian King—Victor Emanuel III—agrees to
let the Fascists rule.
The Fascists in Charge
Mussolini became a dictator.

He outlawed all political parties but the Fascists.

He killed or imprisoned his political opponents.

He outlawed labor unions and put censorship on
the press.
Mussolini in Charge

Under Mussolini, Italy attempted to be a totalitarian state.

The govt. tried to control everything.

Corporative Economy: working conditions, wages, and prices
determined by govt., owners, and workers.

Structure of society remained the same.

Feeling Italy undergoing a heroic national revival.
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Women are 2nd class citizens who are encouraged to have as many
children as possible (14 got a medal from Mussolini himself).
Fascist Youth
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Propaganda is used to glorify Fascism.
Mussolini goes by the title IL Duce (The
Leader).
In 1935, Italy invades the African country
of Ethiopia.
“He made the trains run on time.”
Review
The “Lost Generation”

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The “Lost Generation” were
writers that wrote about
disillusionment after WWI.
Gertrude Stein came up with the
name.
Writers include: Ernest
Hemingway and F. Scott
Fitzgerald
Europe After WWI
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After the Great War, most of the European
countries were in a bad state.
Many citizens felt disillusioned.
Most economies were down—countries owed a
lot for supplies from war and when all of the
soldiers came back, there was not usually
enough jobs for everyone.