Italians were unhappy with the outcome of World War I and blamed their government for economic issues. Benito Mussolini founded the fascist party in 1919, promising to end unrest, and had his black shirt supporters attack communists and socialists. Fascism promoted extreme Italian nationalism and authoritarian leadership. Mussolini gained support by ending a strike and marched on Rome in 1922, forcing the king to appoint him leader of Italy. Once in power, he cracked down on dissent and increased censorship and military strength.

2. *
*Italians were upset they didn’t get
as much as other countries after
World War I.
*Italy wanted an answer to the
Depression and they blamed their
government for the rising inflation
and lack of jobs.

3. *
*Benito Mussolini founded
the Fascist Party in 1919
while claiming he would
end the political and
social unrest.
*He started a group called
the Black Shirts and had
them beat up communists
and socialists in Italy.

4. *
*Fascism was an extreme
form of Italian
nationalism.
*Named for an ancient
Roman symbol – a
bundle of rods attached
to an axe called a fasces
*Denied people freedom
and pushed for an
authoritarian leader

5. *
*Fascist dictators did several things to achieve
and keep absolute power:
*Utilized special salutes (similar to secret handshakes)
*Held big rallies and military parades
*Instituted special military groups/secret police that
utilized absolute power and scare tactics

6. *
*Mussolini promised to save the Italian
economy. He gained the middle class’s
support by ending a strike that paralyzed
the country.
*In 1922, he and fascists marched on Rome
and forced the king to make Mussolini the
leader of Italy.
*Named himself Il Duce, which means “the
leader.”

7. *
*Once in charge, he
utilized his secret police
to crack down on anyone
who did not like him.
*He began censoring the
press.
*He increased the
military of Italy and
began looking for places
to conquer.

8. *
*In an attempt to
display that Italy was
becoming an empire
and show dissatisfaction
with the Treaty of
Versailles, Mussolini
used his new military to
invade Ethiopia in 1935
and again in 1937.