Age of Total War

The Coming of the Fascists

Handout Four

OUTLINE:

 IV. The Coming of the Fascists

1. What is Fascism?
2. National Roots of Fascism
3. Who is Benito Mussolini?
4. The Rise of Italian Fascism
5. The Development of the Fascist Regime in Italy

QUESTIONS: 

1. Why did fascism develop following World War I? What impact did the war and the ensuing economic chaos contribute to the birth of the movement?
2. Fascism did not emerge from the abyss. What historical and cultural factors in the Europe contributed to the rise of the movement?
3. Benito Mussolini was a fascinating study. How could a man like him, a fellow that was once a Socialist and then became a Fascist, run a nation like Italy? How did he gain power? Was he the savior of his country?
4. Once in power, how did Mussolini and the Fascists rule Italy? What organizational pattern did they bring to Rome?

TERMS: 

Action-Francaise                        Charles Maurras                     Third Republic

Dreyfus Case                             Il Popolo d’Italia                    Benito Mussolini

Fasci di Combattimento           March on Rome                     Giacomo Matteoti