A PAPER I I TYPE PRESENTATIONBY

FAN HUANGKYLIE REYNOLDS

Discuss the successes and failures of Benito Mussolini’s reign.

THE FATHER OF FASCISMBENITO MUSSOLINI

The Narrative

Mussolini: The Father of Fascism

July 29, 1883 – April 28, 1945 Head of Italian government 1922 –

1943 Grew up in an environment that was

heavily socialist, republican, and nationalist.

Leader of multiple political movements 1914 – Autonomous Fascists 1917 – Revolutionary Fascists 1918 – Constituent Fascists 1919 – Fighting Fascists 1921 – National Fascist Party

Mussolini: The Father of Fascism

• Was upset over the Treaty of Versailles (Benito Mussolini).• Italy received very little from it.

• Member of Socialist Party 1900 – 1914• Became member of the middle class in

1914

• When Italy joined the Allies, Mussolini joined the army. (H., Jim)• Worked his way up to corporal rank.

• Displayed his views through the National Fascist Party in March, 1919.• Brought answers to Italy’s turmoil.

What exactly is Fascism?

Fascism is the concept of how a man is bind together by other individuals into thinking the same ideologies of the state (Cook).

 The Foundation of FascismTotalitarianismNationalismMilitarism

Giovanni Gentile was the original author who “helped Mussolini formulate his political philosophy (Anissimov and Bronwyn).”

Giovanni Gentile

Factors that Led to Single Party State

Mussolini believed war was the perfect opportunity for change.

Italy’s suffered economic, social, and political instability because of war.

The recruitment of the Blackshirts militia. Weakness of the government and the collapse

of the Left. (Cook)

EARLY ACHIEVEMENTSRISE TO POWER

LIFE AS A DICTATORPOST-DISMISSAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Mussolini’s Successes

Early Achievements

1904 – 1914 Mussolini was journalist and editor for Avanti (McMillan)

Joined Italian army at the start of WWI War injury in 1917 allowed Mussolini to become

editor of Popolo d’Italia Newspaper strongly demanded Allies to support Italy’s demands

at Paris Peace Conference

Rise to Power

Mussolini took advantage of Italy’s poor conditions.

Mussolini attacked Vittorio Orlando because he failed to get Italy’s objectives with the Treaty of Versailles

Formed the Black Shirts Appointed Prime Minister by

King Emmanuel III in 1922 to avoid communist revolution in Italy

Mussolini as Dictator

Carried out extensive public-works programFascists tried improving various sectors of Italian

affairs. (Mangion) Cultivation of more lands Irrigation of the marshes Production of corn Railway and road network improvements Lowered unemployment rates

1929 – Mussolini won jurisdiction of the Vatican through an agreement with the Papacy. (Mangion)

Mussolini as Dictator

Captured capital of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, in May 1936

Signed non-military alliance with Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany in October 1936

Invaded and captured Albania in 1939 Also signed Pact of Steel with Nazi Germany in

1939

Post-Dismissal Achievements

Rescued from prison by Adolf Hitler and Otto Skorzeny on September 13, 1943

After rescue, Mussolini set up a Salo Republic

Fascist regime in Herman occupied Northern Italy

Arrested and executed five people that voted against him on the Fascist Grand Council

One of those five was his son-in-law, Galaezzo Ciano

INVASION FAILURESFAILURE AS A LEADERLOST LOTS OF LAND

POST-DISMISSAL FAILURES

Mussolini’s Failures

Invasion Failures

Invaded Ethiopia in 1935 League of Nations condemned and sanctioned Italy.

Invaded Greece in 1940 Greece overpowered Italy

Suffered from War in North Africa in 1940 Italy outnumbered the British but still faced numerous

casualties. British took part of Tobruk.

Failures as a Leader

By 1941, Mussolini was dependent on Nazi Germany for survival.

Galaezzo Ciano became dissatisfied with Mussolini.

Ciano resigned in February 1943.

Loss of Lands

In July 1943, US and British forces attacked Italy Great amounts of land were confiscated.

July 10 – Gela, Licata, and Vittoria July 11 – Pallazolo July 13 – Augusta July 14 – Vizzini, Biscani Airfield, and Niscemi July 22 – Palermo

End of Mussolini

July 25, 1943 – Dismissal from office. He was immediately placed

under arrestApril 23, 1945 – Allied

Army crossed River Po at Montua Mussolini escaped to

SwitzerlandApril 27, 1945 – Was

captured Bodies were shot and hung.