Mussolini’s Rule

Il Duce and Italian Fascism

Benito Mussolini or Il Duce
• Mussolini was the
leader and Founder of
the Italian Fascism,
Fascisti, party.

http://www.worldwarhistory.com/wwii/biographies/mussolini.htm
 Fasces
Fasces is a symbol originally
used in ancient Rome to
represent the power of the
empire. Mussolini used it
for his political uses for
two reasons: to go
backwards to the glorious
time of the Roman empire
and to conjure fear of the
the leader.

http://www.pntic.mec.es/mem2001/scripta/res/archiv_res/Res7.htm (left)
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wingrove/family-crest.htm (right)
Reasons for Supporting
Fascism
• The Italian people were upset over the
results of WW I
• Veterans could not find jobs
• High taxes
• Workers were on strike
 Blackshirts
• The fascist party grew
at an incredible rate by
drawing on ex-
servicemen middle
class youth and anti-
communists. To give
its members
importance they gave
them a uniform and
the name Blackshirts.
 Mussolini’s Promises
• Strengthen Italy
• Outlaw rebellion
• Gain more land
• Stamp out
Communism
• Restore Italy’s former
glory
Fascisti and Italian Parliament
• The Fascist Party, in • In 1928 Mussolini
1922, marched on eliminated all parts of
Rome and by doing parliamentary
this placed Mussolini democracy from the
as leader of the Italian Government.
government.
 OVRA
.
• In 1927 Mussolini
established the OVRA or
secret police. The secret
police are, as for any Fascist
rule, important to maintain
order because they are used
to instill fear in the
populace.
 Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
• In 1935 when Mussolini’s army invaded
Abyssinia the Abyssinians stood no chance
against a the modern Italian army.
 Anti-Comintern Pact
• In 1937 Italy joined the
anti-comintern pact with
Germany and Japan in
which they agreed to, in
the event of an un-
provoked attacked consult
on what measures to take.
This agreement is just one
of a long list of pacts and
treaties that Hitler would
eventually break.