Fascist dictators in Italy and Germany

1. Fascist dictators in Italy and Germany

2. Italy Benito Mussolini: • Becomes extreme Nationalist during WW1 (Used to be socialist) • Organized own party (Fascist Party) • Fascism: relies on dictatorship and totalitarianism • Strongly nationalistic and militaristic and opposed communism and democratic principles. (Destined to destroy one another) • Fascism/Communism Similar but Different: • Communism: Appealed to workers and promised society without social classes • Fascism: appealed to upper/middle class and to preserve existing social classes.

3. Upper, Middle, and Lower-Middle all support Mussolini • Restore and protect Italian economy “Return to Glory Days” Rise to Power: Black Shirts: color of Fascist group uniform • Intimidated voters and drove elected socialist officials from office • Declare martial law, but king refuses, and cabinet resigns • Mussolini asked to run coalition government and begins to destroy democracy and pushed new election law through government. • Whoever wins gets 2/3 of seats in LH of Parliament • Fascist Party won and Mussolini head of government • Took control of Ministry of War and Police force • Parties disbanded if not Fascist • Suspended freedom of speech, press, and trial by jury • Secret police to spy on people

4. Corporatist State • Representation was determined by area of economic activity including agriculture, commerce, manufacturing, and transportation (Formed into corporations). • Reps of govt, labor, and management met to establish wages, prices, and working conditions • Were expected to follow whatever the government said.