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Elements of Fascism

Elements of Fascism. No notion of individual, but push for a common community Extreme nationalism Favored a strong leader who represented desires and dreams of the nation Il Duce (Italy) and the Fuhrer (Germany) Anti- democracy leads to corruption

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Elements of Fascism

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  1. Elements of Fascism • No notion of individual, but push for a common community • Extreme nationalism • Favored a strong leader who represented desires and dreams of the nation • Il Duce (Italy) and the Fuhrer (Germany) • Anti-democracyleads to corruption • Anti-socialismagainst collectivization of private property

  2. Used paramilitary forces to suppress opposition • Only one political party in totalitarian system • Against political emancipation of women, hated modern art, and despised Jews • Anti-semitism was key in fascist movementsJews seen as outsiders to national identity

  3. Is there a difference between fascism and communism? • Communism means state ownership • Fascism means state control. • Private property and business allowed, but in coordination with the state

  4. Fascism in Italy (1922-1945) Italy received none of the lands promised to them through the Treaty of Versailles 1919—a depression hit Italy and communists began to stir Propertied classes feared revolution and looked to a strong leader to restore order

  5. Benito Mussolini and the Fascists Mussolini created the Fascist Party (mixture of nationalists and socialism) anti-Democratic, Anti-Marxist, anti-Parlimentary and frequently anti-Semitic. Wanted to restore the greatness of the Roman Empire Slogan: “Believe, Fight, and Obey

  6. Italian Fasci Di Combattimento, “Bands of Combat,” founded in 1919 in Milan. • Mostly Italian war veterans who rejected Versailles. • Lead by Mussolini • A former socialist • Broke with socialists in 1914, in order to support joining the war on the side of the Allies. • Nationalism replaced socialism in his personal pantheon. • Took advantage of postwar chaos.

  7. Reasons for popular appeal of fascists Economic distress—high inflation and unemployment Fear of communismoverthrow of gov’t by the workers/peasants Landowners and middle class supported fascists against communists Weak gov’t—no political party dominatedallowed for rise of fascism

  8. Steps to Power--The Rise of Mussolini • The Black Shirtslocalsquads of terrorists to go after socialists and other perceived malcontents • Law enforcement ignored them. • In 1921 Mussolini and 34 Fascists were elected to the government. • The Black Shirt March • In October 1922, the Fascists marched on Rome. • The Cabinet resigned in protest. • On November 23, 1922 the king and Parliament granted Mussolini (“Il Duce”)dictatorial power for one year as Premier.

  9. Features of Gov’t--The Fascists in Power Political • Once in power, Mussolini moved cautiously • Changed election laws in 1924, so that the party which received the largest popular vote would have two thirds of the seats in parliament. • In the 1924 election, the Fascists won complete control of Parliament • By 1926 Mussolini was able to rule by decree • Violence and terror continued • Late 1924 GiacomoMatteotti, a socialist leader, was murdered

  10. Economy In the 20s and 30s, Mussolini wanted to make Italy self-sufficientprotective tariffs nationalized the wheat industry to prevent foreign competition in Italy– the Great Depression affected Italy anyways Corporatism—representatives of business, labor, and gov’t worked together to settle disputes and plan the economy Labor unions lost the right to strike

  11. Economy cont’d. Fascist Party controlled industry, agriculture, and trade Private ownership permitted, but regulated Social Women were encouraged to have large families Women valued as wives not workers Mussolini glorified as a father figure

  12. Achievements Reduced unemployment Sponsored public works More efficient governing National income increased by 15% from 1925 to 1935 The Lateran Accord of 1929 made peace with the Vatican Pope Pius XII recognized fascism as legitimate

  13. Failings Destroyed democracyterrorism was state policy Standard of living was still low to Western Europe Efforts to restore greatness lead to invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 and eventual defeat in WWII League of Nations imposed economic sanctions Many postwar problems

  14. Foreign Policy • Opposed German annexation of Austria in 1935 • German attempt failed, but Italy did send soldiers to Austrian border prepared to fight Germany • Italy annexed Ethiopia, a member of the League of Nations, in 1935 • League of Nations used economic sanctions against Italy • 1936 Italy and German sign Rome-Berlin Axis—allying Hitler and Mussolini • Italy’s industrial/military production was lower than Germany’s so stockpiling of military goods began

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