post_ww1_growth_of_fascism

1. POST WW1 GROWTH OF FASCISM
Italy 1870-1933 – Rise of Mussolini

2. PRE WW1 ITALIAN RULE
• Italy had only become a
unified state in 1861, with the
Papal States joining in 1870.
• The period of 1870 – 1923
was known as “Liberal Italy”.
There were many
weaknesses that undermined
its ability to govern properly.

3. LONG-TERM WEAKNESSES OF LIBERAL ITALY
• Lack of National Identity:
Because the unification was
new, many states were
regionalized. Meaning there
was a serious lack of Italian
Nationalism. (Economic and
Political divisions between
North and South)
• The North was very
industrialized, while the south
was living in poverty.
• The Catholic Church: The
relationship between the
church and the government
deteriorated after unification.
• Because of this the Vatican
encouraged Catholics not to
vote (up until 1914) due to
the anti-clerical policies of the
government.

4. WEAKNESSES .. CONT
• The Middle Class: dominated
the political system, as the
right to vote was limited to
middle and upper classes
until 1930.
• Because of this the working
class had created their own
political faction (The Italian
Socialist Party – PSI)
• This movement was going to
become very important after
WW1.
• Nationalist Opposition: The
Italian Nationalist Association
was founded in 1910, followed
by the Futurists.
• Extremely critical of the Italian
liberal governments and
supportive of war and violence.
• Wanted an empire (like GB), but
as of the 1920s had very little
territory.
• This group was looking for any
means necessary to expand their
empire.

5. IMPACT OF WW1 ON ITALY.
• Italy was a member of the Triple-Alliance (with Germany and
Austria-Hungary).
• However, once the war broke out the current government was
persuaded to sign the Treaty of London (April 1915) with GB, FR,
RUS.
• By signing this document, there was a division in major political
factions and many favored intervention because they felt the move
to war would be a good way to destroy the liberal government of
Italy.
• WW1 had divided Italy, many of the 5 million people who served
in the war were politicized and resented the way the government
had handled the war. By the end of the war the PSI and many
unions were armed and prepared to engage in politics.

6. GROWTH OF FASCISM IN ITALY (1918-22)
• Immediately after the war, Italy entered a political crisis, as the
liberal government began to lose control.
• This was further exemplified when Italian Prime Minister
Vittorio Orlando was unable to claim any territories in the Treaty
of Versailles.
• Because of his failures at Versailles, Orlando was forced to resign.
• Due to these failures, Fascism gained poplularity with many
different groups of citizens. They gained support by their appeal
of strict law and order and national pride.
• In 1921 election it was clear that Italians were polarizing (35
seats to fascists, 138 to the socialists and communists who were
a new party).

7. ECONOMICS AND FASCISM IN 1920'S
• The post-war economy hit
Italy very hard with
unemployment rising to 2
million by the end of 1919.
• American isolation prevented
many Italians from
immigrating to US causing
high poverty rates in the
south.
• There was also a fear of a rise
of communism (due to the
1917 Russian Revolution)
• Due to the rise of communism
in Europe, Mussolini and his
fascists gained support from:
the wealthy, the Catholic
Church, conservatives and all
devout church followers.
• By 1922, the liberal
government was unable to
stop the escalating violence in
the streets and were unable
to provide any security for
Italy.
• It was time for Fascism.

8. WHAT IS
THE
DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN
FASCISM
AND
NAZISM?