Transcript The Rise of Mussolini in Italy

The Rise of Totalitarian
Governments
Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)
Totalitarianism
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Form of dictatorship
Control of all aspects of citizens lives
Few individual freedoms
State controlled media (Books, radio, films etc.)
Propaganda
Germany, Italy, Soviet Union
Reasons for Rise of Totalitarianism
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Destruction, and Debt from WWI
High Unemployment
Rising Inflation
Social Unrest
Political Conflicts
Anger and resentment over Treaty of
Versailles
Treaty of Versailles
Black Tuesday
1929
- stock market crashes
Total Control
of State by a
Dictator
Great Depression
during
1930s
Increasing influence of new
political parties that emphasize
state control
-For example: Communism,
Nazism, Fascism
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Fascism
Italy and Germany
Totalitarianism
Single Political Party – only one political party, fascist
Glorification of the state - nation’s goals are advanced
at all costs, even war
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Aggressive Nationalism – nation is superior to all others
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Private Property – individuals can own businesses and
factories
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Class System – hierarchical distinctions between groups
of individuals in society; everyone NOT equal
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Racism – belief that one race is superior to another*
Intense Propaganda – use of lies or falsehoods to promote
the government’s political philosophy
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Destruction of the Opposition – jailing or killing political
opponents
*Only in German Fascism aka “Nazism”
Communism in Theory
“Marxism”
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No Class system – equality among
citizens
No Private Property – no private
ownership of businesses or factories
Collectivism – working for good of
society
No government – will eventually go
away
Communism in Practice
Soviet Union
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Totalitarianism
Single Political Party - communism
Small upper class – government leaders
No Private Property – no private ownership
of business, factories
Equality among Citizens – except govt.
leaders
Intense Propaganda – use of lies or
falsehoods to promote the government’s
philosophy
Destruction of the Opposition – jailing or
killing political opponents
Contestant #1
I am a womanizer, have
self-interested policies
and unfortunately suffer
from ailing health.
Contestant #2
I have a drinking habit and
a defiant tongue or attitude
Contestant #3
I am a decorated war hero,
do not drink and want
to create a stable economy
Contestant #1
Contestant #2
Contestant #3
Nazism
Totalitarianism
Communism
Fascism
*These theories, specifically Communism and Fascism,
are completely different theories that are bitterly
opposed; however they exhibit the same behavior
Post WWI Italy
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Rising unemployment
Rising bread prices
Shortages of coal
Workers strike
Peasants seize land
Dissatisfaction with
TOV - Not given land
promised
Mussolini’s Rise to Power
• Formed the Fascist
Party
• Post WWI chaos
creates conditions
for change
• Promises something
for everyone
• People were
desperate for relief
and wanted a strong
government
Mussolini’s Rise to Power
• Promises, Promises
Wealthy - Protect
Private Property
Worker - Full
employment,
workers benefits
Nationalists rebuild Italy and
recreate the
Roman Empire
Blackshirts
• Mussolini’s followers
• Attacked and intimidated political opponents
• Anti-Socialist ideas gained support of
Democratic Government
1922 March on Rome
• Purpose:
– establish Mussolini and the
Fascist Party as the most
important party in Italy
• Results:
– King Victor Emmanuel
appointed Mussolini Prime
Minister
– Mussolini ended democracy
– Mussolini became dictator
• named himself “Il Duce” or The
Leader
Mussolini’s Leadership
• Negatives
– Ended democracy &
Individual freedoms
– Assaulted and
murdered opposition
• Positives
– Solved unemployment
problem
– Restored patriotism
and nationalism and
recaptured Italy’s
greatness
– Made the trains run on
time
Which of the following enabled
Mussolini to rise to power?
1. The Blackshirts
2. The poor
economy
3. Promises
4. All of the above
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