Benito Mussolini was an Italian politician and leader of the National Fascist Party who ruled Italy as Prime Minister from 1922 to 1943. He consolidated power by inviting the King to make him Prime Minister in 1922. He then centralized power by becoming the Head of State in 1925 and holding multiple cabinet positions. He pursued an imperialist foreign policy of expanding Italian territory through the invasion of Ethiopia and Albania. However, his government was plagued by ineptness and an inability to supply the military in World War 2, leading to Italy's defeat and Mussolini's execution in 1945.

1. Benito Mussolini

2. Vital Statistics Born July 29, 1883 Mother was teacher Father was blacksmith Named after Benito Juarez Was a soldier, Socialist, editor, and Totalitarian Leader

3. Newspaper Editor

4. Italy of Mussolini’s Youth Italy consolidating into one country Conflict between nationalists & Church Different political movements

5. Political “Deal- Makers” ‘ Dea - Makers”

6. “ Rome is our starting-point, and Rome is our goal. Rome is our ideal, and Rome is our myth. We are dreaming of a Roman Italy, full of life and intelligence, strong powerful, and disciplined. The immortal spirit of Rome has risen again in the Fascimus. Rome is our symbol, of Rome is our military organization, our courage, and our faith.” -1922

7. Centralization of Power 1922- Invited to form a government by king 1925- Named Head of State 1929- Lateran Treaties with Catholic Church 1933- Held 7 of 14 Cabinet Positions “Corporate” Government

8. Fascistization - 1925 “Tomorrow, Italian and Fascist, rather like Italian and catholic, mean the same thing.” King was largely ceremonial, but could replace Mussolini Church accepted Mussolini, but got many concessions

9. Imperial Expansion- Creation of “ Mare Nostrum ” Re-colonization of Libya ~ 1923 Outlying Greek Islands - 1929 Ethiopia - 1935 Albania - 1939

10. Imperialist Propaganda

11. Imperialist Propaganda

12. Problems with Mussolini’s Government Had many roles, but relegated work to others They did not have full powers, and things did not get done “ Blame game” when things did not happen right

13. Problems with Mussolini’s Compromise with Church Church protected interests well Provided support, but remained independent Religious education in Fascist curriculum Catholic Youth org. was only non-Fascist program allowed in Italy

14. Problems with Mussolini’s War Plans Italian military ill-equipped for war and lost battles Mussolini bound to Hitler and could not get out of war Inept government could not supply food and products to either Italians or soldiers Mussolini relied on bluffing: Italy could “talk the talk,” but couldn’t “walk the walk”

15. How Did Mussolini Achieve and Maintain Power?

16. Blackshirts…

17. Balconies…

18. Balconies

19. “Battles…”

20. “Battles”

21. Bilateral Agreements

22. Fin

23. Fin

24. Postscript Mussolini killed Italy occupied by Allies Italian Royal Family exiled (may be returning later this year) Italy currently has a Parliamentary government