World History
Johnson
Aº
5/ 9 /13
HS
Page 1
Ellaine Chou, Max Tripolsky
 “What is Fascism?” by Benito Mussolini, 1922 (“Il Duce,” the chief or the leader)
 Fascism and Pacifism are not related; they are more opposites.

Pacifism is related to loving peace (not war). Fear of violence because of injury.

Fascism – glory is the struggle, the fight, the violence, aggression.

Arose in power vacuum after World War 1.

Army veterans had difficulty adjusting back to civilian life; there were few jobs.
Many nations were first-timers to democracy; they had no experience. Veterans
learned during the war how to survive, toughen themselves mentally and physically; they felt comfortable only in tense situations. Mussolini exploited this and
grabbed the “heartstrings” of those veterans
 Role of War

Warfare is the greatest example of human exertion, especially when you win. Being
wounded is the way to live up to your fullest potential.

Empower those who made the most sacrifices. Not the industrialists who made money at home
 Three aspects of life favorable to Fascism

Duty

Struggle – to gain power

Conquest – reap the awards
 Marxism vs Fascism

Fascism

Holy and heroic –better at bringing people together

Combats the democratic ideology – no unified
interests; people think for themselves only, not
for national cause – i.e., motives were loyalty
to build strength and unity.

Marxism


Based on conflicts of interests
Motivated by money
 Elements of democracy fascists disagree with

Majority direct

Myth of happiness

Supposed equality of all
 Prediction about political philosophy in 20th century

Fascism

Root of “fascism” – fasces – a bundle of sticks attached to an axe blade
World History
Johnson
Aº
5/ 9 /13
HS
Page 2
Ellaine Chou, Max Tripolsky
 Fascism is the state; protecting and maintaining the State; it’s alive and conscious based
on the vitality of the people.
 Essential manifestation of Fascist vitality – creation of an empire, like ancient Rome

 Old video (film) on leadership – how charismatic should you be?
 Mussolini was a dynamic speaker, able to arouse crowds; a great actor, his state was the
balcony.
 Events were staged productions
 Delivery of words more important that the words itself
 Appealed to emotion and action
 Came from humble origins; hated rich people
 Preached violence but let others practice it.
 Sensational journalist; had no interest
 Developed Fascism

Violence for its own sake

March on Rome to save Italy from anarchy and Bolshevism

Create chaos to allow fascists to solve it.
 To keep him quiet, he got to be Prime Minister; hoping that violence would calm down
 When in power, he received majority support in parliament. A mixed version of fascism
and democracy. Speeches before Parliament were mostly for show.
 He did little actual work, but the nation worked. Italians were asked to sacrifice by burning their own bonds.
 His image: champion of the masses; a symbol of physical fitness, excelling at all sports;
had many mistresses but was a family man. He joined farm workers when the newsreels
were on.
 Visions of great architectural structures; he wanted to reconstruct the Roman Empire.
Accomplishments: road system, swamp drainage. All under the guise of “battle”.
 Preparations for war: Italy re-armed while other disarmed. But weapons were primarily
for show and parades.
 He was able to stir passions among the people from balcony speeches – lots of hand and
arm gestures.
 Hitler borrowed from Mussolini’s techniques; except he and the Nazis were more brutal.
 Signup sheet for project presentation outside classroom.