The Rise of Mussolini in Italy
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)
Problems after WWI
Vittorio Orlando
wants his land!
• 460,000 soldiers killed in
WWI
• Heavy debt from supporting
the war
• Britain and France did not
give Italy the land they
promised for switching sides
• Rising unemployment led to
unrest and riots in cities
The Treaty of Versailles
• Italians believed that it
treated them badly.
• Italy had not been given the
land promised at the Secret
Treaty of London.
• Italy’s foreign Minister,
Vittorio Orlando left before
the conference ended,
feeling humiliated.
What is fascism?
• A system of government with
centralized authority under a
dictator.
• Usually involves terror, censorship,
nationalism, and racism.
Benito Mussolini
Mussolini gains power
• Mussolini set up a
Fascist Party and
promised to solve Italy’s
problems.
• Promised to rebuild
Italy and recreate the
Roman Empire.
• His secret police force
was called the
“Black Shirts”.
Mussolini was appointed
Prime Minister
by King Victor Emmanuel III
in 1922 to prevent a
Communist Revolution in Italy
1922 March on Rome
• to establish Mussolini and the Fascist Party
as the most important party in Italy
• In 1921 the fascist parties in Italy joined
together to form the Fascist Party
• Mussolini said this at a party conference:
"Either the government will be given to
us or will shall seize it by marching on
Rome."
March on Rome, 1922
Fascism under Mussolini
Lictor
Fasces
Quote
“Fascism conceives of the
State as an absolute, in
comparison with which all
individuals or groups are
relative, only to be conceived in
their relation to the State.”
~Benito Mussolini
Mussolini and Hitler
Mussolini
and
Hitler
Hitler and Mussolini had a
close relationship. In
October 1936 they
signed a non-military
alliance. Mussolini signed
a full defensive alliance
with Nazi Germany in the
Pact of Steel.
Italy during WWII
Mussolini intended to
annex Malta, Corsica, and
Tunis. He wanted to create
a “New Roman Empire.” He
annexed Albania, straining
the military. His troops
were unprepared for the
German invasion of Poland.
Italy remained neutral.
Mussolini during WWII
Italy during WWII cont’d
Italy soon declared war
on Britain and France but
troops were unprepared. It
was defeated by Greece
and lost the world’s first
carrier strike. Italy was
then defeated on all fronts
of the Anglo-American
landing.
What does Anglo mean?
Hint: King Henry VIII
Formed the Anglican Church
Click here if you need help
Mussolini
Propaganda postcard of
Mussolini and actual
picture. Which is which?
Mussolini’s Execution
Mussolini was captured by
partisans and was joined
by his mistress, Clara
Petacci. A few days later
they were shot to death.
In April of 1945, their
bodies were hung
at a gas station
along with the
bodies of other
fascist leaders.
Mussolini and his mistress, Clara
Questions
1) What were some of the problems that
Italy faces after WWI?
2)Why did Italians feel betrayed by the
Treaty of Versailles?
3)What is fascism, and how did Mussolini
gain control of the Italian government?
4)How did Italy fare during WWII?
5)What happened to Mussolini?