Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini

fascism@gmail.com

Duce

(555) 555-5555

BACKGROUND
Born in Predappio, Italy
July 29th, 1883
Parents:
Father: A blacksmith and devout socialist that spent a lot of time on politics
Mother: A Catholic schoolteacher and breadwinner of the family
Other:
Was an extremely disobedient bully as a child; would pinch people in church and throw rocks at them
outside (got expelled from a school for stabbing another student)
Returned to Italy to promote socialism and was briefly jailed
1904
Moved to Switzerland to promote socialism
1902
Obtained a teachers certificate
1901
ORIGINS AND NATURE OF AUTHORITARIAN STATE
Socialist Party
After I became a supporter of World War I, the Socialist Party and I broke ties because they were against it.
This, and joining the military (I became a corporal), prompted me to form my own party.
1914
Invention of Fascism
Fascist movement won 35/500 seats during post unrest elections and became upholders of law, order and
property.
1921
The movement was opposed to social class discrimination and supported nationalist sentiments. It hoped to
make Italy as great as the ancient Roman powers were.
1915
Italian Glories were dim
The secret treaty of London had promised Italy Austrian, German, and Turkish possessions, but the treaty
was ignored by Wilson and the Italians were disappointed. They needed a new leader.
1915
ESTABLISHMENT OF AUTHORITARIAN STATE
Methods Used/Treatment of Opposition:
Administered beatings and castor oil to anyone who disagreed with Fascism and did not support my party.
Murdered people like Socialist deputy Matteotti who tried to expose Fascists
1924
Had vigilante fascists break up strikes and labor union headquarters, and drive away elected officials
Mussolini gave pledged his allegiance to the Catholic church and king to increase credibility
March on Rome: Mussolinis Blackshirts organized a coup towards the capital while he stayed safe in
Milan; the cabinet resigned and Mussolini was name premier.
October 1922
Form of Government:
Right wing

Mussolini was Il Duce (the leader) and had squadristi (squadrons) to help him carry out his plans.

Rigged Elections
Government controlled the electoral machinery and Fascist won over 3/5 of the total votes
DOMESTIC POLICY AND IMPACT
Economic Policies:
o Corporate System:
Economic life into 22 areas: a representative from each area (prices, industrial policies, labor groups
etc.) would create plans for Italys self-sufficiency
o This resulted in the replacement of the Chamber of Deputies to the Chamber of Fasces and
Corporations representing the Fascists
o Economic Self-Sufficiency:
battle of wheat to increase food production
Other:
o Influenced Hitler
o Subduing Libya (1922-1932), pacified Somalia (1923-1927), conquered Ethiopia (1935-1936), helped the
Nationalists win the Spanish civil war (1936-1939), and seized Albania (April 1939) as Duce.
OTHER SKILLS/FUN FACTS
Languages: Fluent in German