Mussolini and the Fascist Italy

Causes for the Growth of Fascism in Italy
  • At Paris, Orlando presented the demands of Italy, but US President Woodrow Wilson rejected the Treaty of London.
  • Italy gained nothing in the Paris Peace Conference.
  • Discontentment created a feeling of revolt among the middle class youth.
Economic Condition
  • Force to spend huge amount more than her national income.
  • Unemployment prevailed, wanted an alternative government.
  • Rise of the Fascist Party.
Spread of Socialism
  • Unemployment problem, poverty and inflation helped the spread of Socialism.
  • Marxism had a political party - Social Democrats of Italy.
  • Party helped a lot for the rise and development of Fascism in Italy.
Rise of Mussolini
  • Benito Mussolini, idea of Fascism, influenced by the socialistic ideology.
  • School teacher a trade unionist and a journalist.
  • Imprisoned in 1908 for revolutionary ideas. In 1912, editing of Avanthi, a socialist journal. Opponent of the Church.
  • First World War broke out, Italian Government decided not to take part.
  • But Mussolini propagated that the Italian Government should immediately join the war in favour of the Allies.
  • But later Italy was forced to join the war on the side of the Allies.
  • He participated in the war as a soldier.
  • Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, people of Italy influenced by the revolution.
  • Mussolini staunch opponent of Bolshevism.
  • In March 1919 the Fascist Party establish. Members wore black shirts and were equipped with arms.
  • Demands of the Fascist Party soon achieved popularity in Italy.
  • Fascists captured the offices of the Socialist and the Communist parties by force.
  • October 1922, Fascist members in the Cabinet, new election to the Legislatures and the adoption of a vigorous foreign policy, but government refused to concede.
  • Fascists therefore marched on to Rome, under the leadership of Mussolini. They captured all the government officers.
  • Government asked the king Victor Immanuel III to promulgate martial law. Mussolini was invited to form the ministry.
Mussolini as the Prime Minster of Italy
  • Action oriented Prime Minister
  • The dacoits living in the interiors of Naples and Sicily were crushed.
  • The economic and social conditions of the labourers were improved.
  • Trade Unions were abolished.
  • The entire powers of the Parliament were snatched.
  • Members faithful to the leader alone were appointed as ministers and officers.
Elections were conducted under the basis of the changed law, Fascist Party got a complete majority
  • All local bodies were suspended.
  • Only Fascist lawyers were allowed to practice.
  • In 1926, all political parties were banned.
  • The cabinet system of government came to an end.
  • Freedom of the Press was curtailed.
  • Unlimited powers were given to the police department.
  • Members of the opposition parties were imprisoned.
Mussolini as the Dictator
  • Rule of one leader and one party was the ideology of Fascism.
  • No faith in democracy & hated the majority, believed in the supremacy of the state.
  • Individual had no right, individual was merely a means to recognise the existence of the state.

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