Rise of Fascism in Italy

Rise of Fascism in Italy

1. Versailles 1919

   • 1915 Treaty of London
     • 'Unredeemed Italy'- Dalmatia etc.
     • British Promises
   • Wilson dismisses previous Treaty
     • Orlando (Italy) angry w/ Wilson
     • Leaves prematurely w/ some promised land
   • Italian Resentment stirred by Mussolini
     • Akin to German resentment stirred by Hitler
     • Selfishness over peace

2. Economic Problems

   • Uncontrollable Inflation
     • Milan strikes etc 1922
     • Savings lost (middle classes)
     • Pre 1914... prices X5 in Germany
       • X15000 Austria
       • X23000 Hungary
   • Unemployment... Returning soldiers
   • Agriculture... 50% population
     • 90% less than 3 acres
     • Land Distribution promised, not delivered

3. Communism

   • Russia 1917 revolution... fear
     • 1919 Berlin, Vienna + Budapest communist revolts
   • Fascism = Perceived barrier
     • Democracy weak + Communist threat... Nazi support
     • Violence used against Communists
   • Fascist Support from merchants, bankers, land owners
     • Agnelli (Fiat), Peroni (arms) Pirelli (tyres)
     • Church support against atheistic communism
       • Pope Pius

4. Weak Democracy

   • Transformism
     • Secret pre-election deals between opposing parties
   • Proportional Representation
     • Too many small parties in weak coalitions
     • 1919-22: 5 Governments
       • Instability in economic crisis
     • Akin to new (Versailles) countries e.g. Czech
       • Unused to democracy
       • Shared instability
   • Mussolini: Propaganda of national greatness
     • Chauvenistic nationalism
     • Roman Empire
   • Mafia power in south
     • Inability of Democracy
     • Disenfranchisement in poor illiterate south