Fascism

Question 1

Characteristics- 8

Answer 1

• Totalitarian State
• Opposed Communism
• Anti-democracy. Liberalism
• Trade Unions and Free Educations- banned
• Extreme Nationalism
• Cult of an all-powerful and wise leader
• Belief in Violence - achieve power
• Propaganda

Question 2

Reasons for rise of Fascism

Answer 2

• Economic and Social instability after W.W.I - unemployment and inflation
• Dissatisfaction with peace treaties following W.W.I
• Fear of Communism
• Unstable Government and Weak Democracy
• Strong Leadership and Use of Violence

Question 3

Mussolini (Key Personality)

Answer 3

• Nationalist during W.W.I
• Formed Fascist Party in 1919
• March on Rome (became P.M)
• Established totalitarian dictatorship
• Improved economy/relations with Catholic Church
• 1930’s Expand Italy (force) - Bombs & Poison (Abyssinia)
• Alliance with Hitler (Rome/Berlin Axis and Pact of Steel)
• W.W.II- didnt join war till 1940, was too weak. Joined after German Successes
• Shot-1945

Question 4

Post War Problems in Italy

Answer 4

• Resentment with the Treaty of Versailles
• Social and Economic Problems
• Failure of Democracy

Question 5

Economic and Social instability

Answer 5

• Inflation (rising prices)
• Unemployment
• Saving -> Wiped out
• Strikes
• Wages cut
• Living standards declined
• Government blamed

Question 6

Dissatisfaction with the peace treaties following W.W.I

Answer 6

• Italy promised land for switching sides in W.W.I, but didn’t get it.
• Italian Nationalists furious
• In Germany, people angry with Treaty of Versailles

Question 7

Fear of Communism

Answer 7

• Communism - spreading from the east

- Rich financed fascism

Question 8

Unstable government and weak democracy

Answer 8

• Democracy-new to many countries after W.W.I
• Democracy blamed for failures
• Multi-party coalitions
• Fascism offered hope

Question 9

Strong Leadership and Use of violence

Answer 9

• Dictators ->speeches/propaganda/cult of personality
• Violence, Bribery, Intimidation, Torture
• Police State (e.g SS, Gestapo - Germany) (OVRA - Italy))

Question 10

Resentment with the Treaty of Versailles

Answer 10

• Italy promised land for switching sides
• Failed to gain it (language barrier)
• Italian govt gave in - Italian nationalist furious
• D’Annunzio and nationalists occupied Fuime.

Question 11

Social and Economic Problems

Answer 11

• Economy in ruins after W.W.I
• War debt =85 million Lire
• Unemployment - high
• Military demobilisation
• Inflation of Lire
• Government printed money (reduced value of Lire)
• Strikes and riots for higher wages
• Italian currency - fall in value
• Savings wiped out

Question 12

Failure of Democracy

Answer 12

• Italian Government weak (5 governments in 4 yrs)

- Democracy blamed for Italy’s problems)