Running Head: FASCISM IN ITALY

FASCISM IN ITALY

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FASCISM IN ITALY 2

FASCISM IN ITALY

Origin of Fascism

Nationalism places the main backbone of fascism which was a unifying role player in

Europe. Liberalism, socialism and conservatism were diverse in this era but neutralized by

nationalism. It was a time when the middle classed people and the lower classes were not

allowed to own lands but they used to make a lot of money. The super classes had power over

the other people, they owned slaves and never practiced equality to other people. Revolution in

Europe and France states that the people possess the power which was not the case before

fascism.

Napoleon Bonaparte, 1769-1821 was a great military officer who later became the

French Empire. He was the voice of the people all throughout France. There was an election

which Napoleon held and he crowned himself emperor in 1804. It was against the national

assembly which had appointed him. In the first conscription, he informed the soldiers that they

were fighting for themselves and the people and not the emperor. By saying this, he ordered that

every family would give one son to join war and the army to fight for the people. After the war

led by Napoleon, European nations greatly splinted and became small regions demanding for

powers.

Guisepper Mazzini for the father of Italian Nationalism forming a group called Young

Italy in 1832. He greatly addresses culture and language to have a clear identity of Italians.

Nationalism brought unification in Italy from 1860-1871 by help of Camillo Benso. Giuseppe

Garibaldi brought the unification into a reality. He started the process in the Kingdom of Sardinia

in 1860 and Victor Emmanuel II becomes king of Italy. In 1900, Italy grows very fast
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economically, increased differences on social basis and political movements called Fasci started

its establishment. Italian Socialist Party was established in 1892 and many people who had

strong political impact had no say. This included the young Mussolini who suffered severe

bipolar disorder following his depot from Switzerland to Italy.

Benito Mussolini (1883-1945)

Benito Mussolini was against the World War 1 he became a communist in 1903. He had

great character traits and leadership skills. He became an editor of Avanti but later resigned in

order to be in socialism party in 1914. He later joined Fascia Rivoluzianario in 1914 December.

Mussolini was greatly affected by the World War 1. Germany foresee that they would lose the

war and they decided to hold a conference in order to decide on the way forward.

The liberals were greatly willing to participate in political affairs but they never wanted

to enter the political field. In the 19th and 20th century, the Italian mob greatly spread and reached

the European nations. The Italian Mob took over security powers and the governmental

organizations after World War 1. There arose a group of Fascia’s who greatly terrorized the

citizens and socialism and communism became a big deal in the nations. There was a king who

had no exclusive power and the power was greatly divided. The Fascia’s finally attained 7

percent of votes in the 1922 election giving Mussolini a chance to be in the parliament.

In 1922, there was establishment of Stato Nuovo when Fascist Dictatorship took its call.

Fascism took its roots after Luigi Facta took leadership in 1922. Victor Emmanuel III called

Mussolini to Rome to advise him that he was in a position to form a government regardless of

the percentage support. Mussolini was selected as the leader of the coalition government i.e. the
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Prime Minister since 1922-1925. It was later a hard experience when Mussolini faced pressure

from militants in attempt to establish fascist dictatorship.

In an election held on 1924, the fascist coalition gathered 66% votes secondary to

violence and intimidation. Matteotti Affair stood strong against the fascist coalition due to the

violence and he was assassinated in June 10, 1924. In 1925, Mussolini becomes a pure dictator

and dismissed the parliament with several assassination attempts to different government party

leaders. In 1929, Catholism became the official religion for Italy under Mussolini dictatorship.

Fascism started becoming a form of cult with worshipping the Duce which brought rifts with the

Catholic Church.

Fascist Italy and Foreign Policy (1932-1945)

Foreign policy was generated in order to deal with the competition Italy had with Britain

and France due to geographical location. This was after Italy had fully developed fascists and

fascism was greatly rooted in Italy. This was occurring due to their different colonization

territories. Italy colonized Libya and many people were killed from 1928-1932. Adolf Hitler and

F.D Roosevelt came in power in 1933 when Mussolini believed he was the only capable fascist

leader. Hitler had greatly copied Mussolini and this gave Hitler a bad picture worldwide as not

an able leader.

In 1896, Ethiopia humiliated Italy and this led to release of many slaves who were

captured. Liberia was greatly protected by America due to the many Americans who were born

there. Italy invaded Ethiopia in 1935which was backed off by British colonies. Italy used

chemical weapons to fight Ethiopia and this was the Italian foreign policy. In July 18, 1936,

Spanish Civil War occurred involving the Republican Zone and nationalist. Hitler and Mussolini
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joins hands while many radical policies began in 1938. Mussolini interfered with the judicial

system in order to avoid any overthrow. Legislations were set in that nothing could be done that

could affect the public without approval.

Italy finally started racism doctrine which brought about many restrictions to the people

such as who to marry or get married to. There arose war between the East and the west that led to

the pact of steel in 1939. Between 1939 and 1940, there arose World War II and Mussolini

stayed out of war and joined some enemies of Germany. Italy later joined the war in June 10,

1940 and declares war on France. Italy invaded Greece on October 28, 1940 but they were

greatly pushed back but Hitler comes in to help them invade Greece and Yugoslavia.

In 1943, it was clear that Italy would lose and Mussolini urged Hitler to give in but Hitler

refused. Mussolini got arrested by military on 25 th July, 1943 due to his poor leadership. Italy

finally surrenders in Sept. 8, 1943 and Germany occupies Italy. Germany rescues Mussolini and

put back to leadership. There was a bloody fight between the fascists and the non-fascists and

formation of New Revolutionary Fascist party. Mussolini was later seized by partisans and

hanged on the Milan public square with his mistress.