Fascism in Italy

Fascism

• hostility to democracy and socialism.
• aim of establishing dictatorships.
• Fascism succeeded in many countries of Europe. e.g. Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Germany, Spain. 

Fascism in Italy

• started in Italy under Benito Mussolini.
• organised under armed gangs against socialist and communists in 1919.
• Italy joined WWI with the intention of gaining colonies but peace treaties failed to satisfy her ambitions. 
• Italian government dominated by capitalists and landlords. Supported anti-democratic movements which promised to save them from the dangers of socialism and satisfy their colonial aspirations. 
• Armed gangs of Mussolini, used by capitalists and landlords to organize violence against socialist and communists.
• 1921, Elections in Italy
• fractured mandate. No stable government could be formed. 
• Mussolini party won only 35 seats. 
• Socialist + Communists won 138 seats. 
• Mussolini openly talked of seizing power, inspite of poor showing in elections. 
• 28 October 1922, Marched on Rome. 
• No resistance by Italian government against Mussolini volunteers. 
• 29 October, King of Italy invited Mussolini to join the government. 
• Without firing a shot fascists under the leadership of Mussolini came to power in Italy. 
• Reign of terror followed. 
• socialist movement suppressed. 
• socialist and communist leaders either killed or jailed. 
• all parties banned except Mussolini's party. 

Fascism Aims/ Ideals

• hostility to democracy and socialism.
• establishing dictatorship.
• glorified war - openly advocated policy of expansion. - "nations which do not expand cannot survive for long."