| Dictatorships and
Totalitarianism Difference between dictatorships and totalitarianisms Dictatorships- Usually temporary style of government; utilized for expediency; theory of government Totalitarianism- theory of life and human nature; usually permanent government Italy’s Involvement in WWI Main goal: territorial expansion into parts of then Austria-Hungary Casualties: 600,000 dead Received some Austrian land but was ultimately unsatisfied (Allied leaders refused to recognize secret treaty of 1915) Social Unrest Burdening war debt Seizing of land, factory strikes No hard-line action taken to quell the disturbances 35 out of about 500 parliamentary seats held by fascists (1919 election) Rise of the Fascists Benito Mussolini: Born in 1883, son of a blacksmith Pre-war had been a left-wing socialist and radical journalist Attempted to restore Ancient Roman pride in Italy Fascism Upholders of social stability in times of social unrest Discouraged Socialists, Christian Socialists, Communists by way of force Squadristi- Fascist vigilantes. Broke up strikes, destroyed labor unions, and drove Socialist and Communist leaders out of office The "March on Rome" Fascists aimed for "Martial Law" Parliament, at first, refused 1922-Parliament resigns…Mussolini becomes Premier Mussolini granted one year "full emergency powers to restore order and introduce reforms" Results of the March on Rome Law introduced to give most popular party two-thirds of the seats in Parliament Law unnecessary Fascists received over three-fifths of the vote due to control of electoral "machinery" and the squadristi (1924) Matteotti’s Murder Matteotti "highly respected Socialist deputy" Revealed unlawful activity of the Fascists Assassinated by Fascists Mussolini eventually claimed responsibility Paved way for rise of Mussolini as dictator Parliament reduced to "nonentity" Censorship Destruction of unions and all political parties (except the Fascist) The Corporative State Liberal syndicalism: "expropriate workers of industry" Take over political and economic life Conservative syndicalism: Favored by Catholic Church Resembled "guilds" of earlier ages Fascist syndicalism: Twenty-two groups Each with a "corporation" Corporations determined labor practices and planned Italy’s economic "self-sufficiency" State Control and Economic Life Attempted to restore order in Italy’s economic situation "Free" capitalism was thought to be often in conflict and competition Fascists believed a good economy generally meant a smoother running government Proved unfit for Depression Era Appeal of Fascism Many on the Left "hated" it (i.e Labor unions, socialists, and Communists) Appealed to wealthier classes due to fear of Bolshevism Seen as an alternative to Democracy Outstanding discipline from its populous |