Rise of Fascism

I:  Background

In 1919, in the midst of these unsettled conditions, Benito Mussolini, a former 

revolutionary socialist, founded a new movement called "Fascismo". 

Through a combination of shrewd political maneuvering and widespread violence 

perpetrated by Mussolini's Black Shirt squads, the Fascists gained increasing support. In 

October 1922, after the Fascists had marched on Rome, King Victor Emmanuel III named

 Mussolini prime minister. Within four years, Mussolini had become a dictator, destroying

 civil liberties, outlawing all other political parties, and imposing a totalitarian regime on the 

country by means of terror and constitutional subversion. Public works projects,

 propaganda, militarism, and the appearance of order gained Mussolini considerable 

prestige, and the Lateran Treaty with the papacy in 1929 gave the "duce" (as he was called)

 a wide measure of popularity.

II: What is fascism:

A: a form of totalitarian government

B: Characteristics:

1. Blind obedience to ruler obey

2. Denial of equality – the strong have an obligation to destroy the weak

3. Violence is an essential tool

4. Government by an elite as the average person is incapable

5.uniforms- Self respect, 

6. someone to blame, scapegoat

7. Strong ruler

8. Anti-communist

9. Extreme nationalism

10. soldier valued above all other citizens

11.Anything is justified if it serves that states ends

12. Fascism emphasizes victory, glorifies war, is cruel to the weak, and is irrational and intolerant.

C: Life in Fascist Italy

Totalitarian – total state control of the lives of the individuals

Racism and Imperialism justified in that certain nations are elite and are obligated to control

III: Mussolini comes to power in Italy

A: Problems in Italy

1. Italy bitter over peace settlements- received no land from treaty

2. high inflation

3. high taxes

4. High unemployment

5.  middle class feared a communist revolution

B: Mussolini's characteristics and actions that help him gain power

1. Great speaker

2. Owned a newspaper

3. 1919 formed the fascist party and offered solutions to people’s problems

4. As economy gets worse Mussolini gains power

5. Attacked opponents

6. Gained support of middle class

7. 1922 marched on Rome 30,000 fascist demanded the king Place Mussolini in charge of govt

8. AT first appointed by king, eventually becomes dictator and totalitarian ruler

C: Mussolini as ruler

Ended free elections

Secret police 

Use of violence

Propaganda

Nationalism

 policy of imperialism

Promised to fix economy and rebuild Italian empire

Goals of state above individuals

Controlled economy and made it better

IV: Empire of the Rising sun : Japan becomes an imperial power in the Pacific

 In the 1920’s and 1930’s Japan began to aggressively expand its military and attempted to create an Asian Empire

A:  Causes

1. Unhappiness over loss of traditions

2. Lack of natural resources

3. Economic problems from the Great Depression

4. nationalism

B: Effects

1. 1931 Attack Manchuria

2. Withdraw from league of nations

(now can expand empire)

3. Anti west feelings

4. invasion of China