Benito Mussolini: “The rise of Fascism in Italy”. -Dictatorship

The Rise of the Nazi: In the 1930s Adolf Hitler and the Nazis copied the strategy and techniques of the Fascists to convince the German people to support their policies.

Spanish Influenza – The Great Flu Epidemic

20-40 million people died world wide…

During the first twenty years of the twentieth century, there were frequent riots and strikes during which Italian workers had occupied the factories where they worked.The Italian government at the time was unable to maintain order and control these upheavals.This state of affairs gave Benito Mussolini the opportunity to rise to power in Italy.Mussolini realized that they Italian people were angry over Italy’s failure to receive more land in the in the peace settlement that followed the war.As a result, he demanded more land for Italy and won thousands of converts to fascism with his patriotic and nationalistic appeals.

Mussolini proclaimed, “Either we are allowed govern, or we seize power.”

In a Fascist state, people are controlled by the government and any opposition is suppressed.

The middle-class fear of socialism, communism and disorder made the Fascist increasingly attractive to many people.

In 1922, Mussolini and the Fascists threatened to march into Rome if they were not given power.

The infamous March on Rome occurred and Mussolini commanded his forces from a post In Milan and ordered them to seize power in Rome.

BY 1928, the Fascist outlawed all other political parties in Italy and established a secret police known as the OVRA.The purpose of OVRA was to watch the citizens political activities and enforce government policies.The Italian Fascist also tried to exercise control over all forms of mass media, including newspapers, radio and film. In November 1926, Mussolini formed the Rome-Berlin Alliance and installed anti-Semitic laws in Italy. Later, in 1940 he joined Hitler and the Nazis.

In July 1928, Mussolini declared that the length of the workday would be increased but salaries would not change.Newspapers could be no more than six pages.Gasoline had to be mixed with alcohol.No more luxurious homes could be built.Nothing could be sold after ten pm.All bread had to contain at least fifteen percent non-white flour.In order to keep his power, Mussolini became an absolute ruler and fixed any elections.

A totalitarian government is instilled. What is totalitarianism?

Definition:

During 1918, Europe was hit by the Spanish flu and an estimated 25 million people died.This added to the feeling of bitterness that ran rampant throughout Europe.This anger was directed towards Germany. There is belief that the Spanish Influenza had been reconstructed from the tissue of a dead soldier.The name of Spanish flu came from the large mortality rate in Spain.The first wave of influenza appeared early Spring of 1918 in Kansas.