Who in Italy Gained from Fascism

1071 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The rise of fascism in italy essay

Who in Italy Gained from Fascism

The word Fascism comes from fasces, the bundle of elm or birch rods from which an ax

projected that was carried before Roman magistrates. These fasces indicated the magistrates

power to decapitate. Fascism is actually defined as " a political philosophy, movement, or

regime that exalts nation, and often race, and stands for a centralized autocratic, often

militaristic government" (Webster's). March 23, 1919 marked the ascension of the Fascist party in Italy. For many, young Benito Mussolini was a symbol of law and order in a time of political and social turmoil. Mussolini's "Fasci di Combattimento", the re-organization of his Fascia group, was accepted and admired by all, especially those Italians longing for the end of unemployment, inflation, and the fear of a communist revolution. In Italy, many members of the government, as well as a few aspects of society, gained from Fascism. However, despite those who gained, more Italians suffered as a result of Fascist government.

Some members that gained from Fascism were the Fascists in power. The

Fascists who held office were all shrewed politicians. All of those politicians were ruthless

and were feared by many of the people. "The result at the 1919 polls was disappointing. The Socialists did splendidly, but Fascism, having not yet fully identified with the conservative Right, seemed in 1919 to have arrived at a dead end" (Forman 27). The fear that was created between government official and citizen was what kept Fascism in power after this initial downfall. Many of the Fascists in power were out of control; Even Benito Mussolini had his own Fascist propaganda army: the Blackshirts , or "Squadre". Fear was building as ...

... middle of paper ...

...ter Fascism's decline

Italy embarked on a long rebuilding journey. No matter how hard Italy tries to forget Fascism, it will always leave an everlasting mark on society there, and it will go down in history as the

most infamous system of government to ever be conceived.

Bibliography:

Bibliography

Forman, James D. Fascism. New York: Franklin Watts, 1974.

Jackson, James O. "Cover/D-Day." Time 6 June 1994: 23.

Malone, Julia. "Clinton honors war dead in Italy today." Atlanta Journal 3 June 1994, final

home ed.: 12A.

Matthews, Herbert L. The Fruits of Fascism. New York: Harcourt, 1943.

Payne, Stanley C. A History of Fascism 1914-1945. Madison: UP, 1995.

Schnapp, Jeffrey T. "Fascinating Fascism." Journal of Contemporary History. 31.2 (1996):

235-244.

Smith, Mack. Italy. Ann Arbor: UP, 1959.

Show More
Related

  • Take Home DBQ Italian Fascism

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    In response to the democratic backlash after World War I, in response to the Treaty of Versailles and the economic failure after the war, countries turned to a totalitarian, fascist government, regulating every facet of life of the people it ruled. Fascist Italy was no exception—over the years 1921-1943, Italy instituted a population policy, controlling it and causing it to rise. Italy’s population policy consisted of the regulation of family size, often exercising Mussolini’s bid for control in extreme manners. The reactions consisted of an economic counterpoint of family size, and disapproval of this new regime.

    Read More

  • How Did the Cold War Affect the Politics of Germany and Italy?

    1982 Words  | 4 Pages

    Ginsborg P (1990). ‘A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics: 1943-1980’ Published by Penguin; Reprint edition (27 Sep 1990).

    Read More

  • Whay Facism Gained Popularity after WWI

    1325 Words  | 3 Pages

    To understand why Fascism gained such popularity after WWI, it is essential to find a working definition of what Fascism actually is. According to Benito Mussolini and his document What is Fascism, Fascism is “the conception of the state, its character, its duty, and its aim.” It is concerned primarily and totally with the affairs of state rather than those of the individual. The chief duty of a man in a Fascist nation is to do what he can to elevate the state to higher power or assist the state in whatever means necessary in its goals. As is evident to anyone studying this period in history, Fascism “repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism…” meaning that it is most certainly not afraid to use force or war to accomplish its objectives. A Fascist, especially a male Fascist, aspires to be a hero to his country and an ally to the state or nation of which he is a part. A woman ...

    Read More

  • Mussolini's Rise to Power as a Direct Consequence of World War One

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    the Treaty of London, the deal made with B and F was not given to

    Read More

  • The Extent to Which the Lack of Popular Support was the Main Reason for the Weakness of Italian Nationalism in the Period 1815-1848

    1038 Words  | 3 Pages

    a united Italy, it was one which strode in a path towards it. A lack

    Read More

  • Italian and German Fascism: Similarities and Differences

    1022 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fascism is one of the great political ideology in the 20th century. It is a kind of authoritarian government that, according to Wikipedia, “considers the individual subordinate to the interests of the state, party or society as a whole.” Two of the most successful and to be in the vanguard of fascism government is Italian fascism – led by Benito Mussolini, and Nazi Germany – led by Adolf Hitler. Fascism in Italy and Germany, though in many regards very similar - have the same political ideologies, still have many aspects to them that make them different from each other. Before analysing the similarities and differences between the fascism that emerged in Italy and Germany since the very first of 20th century, it is better to discover - what is fascism.

    Read More

  • How Far Mussolini Succeeded in Creating a Nation of Fascists

    890 Words  | 2 Pages

    whom people aspire to. By 1926 Mussolini achieved his ambition of making himself the dictator of Italy. And parliament was fully under his control, he managed to achieve almost complete control over Italy. Although he achieved this, he did not create a nation of fascists. Youth are a very important part of Italy’s future.

    Read More

  • Comparative Fascism in Europe

    4940 Words  | 10 Pages

    Certainly a more complex definition of fascism is required. However, the framers of fascist thought itself, Mussolini and Hitler, never truly bothered to define fascism for their supporters or for posterity. Mussolini tried in the Enciclopaedia Italiana of 1932, published a full 10 years after Mussolini took power. Mussolini said that his “own doctrine, even in this period, had always been a doctrine of action” (Mussolini, 586). This is the most obvious facet of fascism, its love of action; it is in the name of action that no true doctrine was ever laid out (Mussolini, 587). Mussolini proceeded from there to explain fascism in negative terms, saying:

    Read More

  • The Fascist Economy as an Illusion

    1745 Words  | 4 Pages

    It seems therefore that Mussolini was ignoring his own people in favour of an increased element of control. This therefore describes the illusion that Mussolini himself was causing to the people about the state of the economy. What seemed to be an efficient, self-sufficient & booming economic system was in fact littered with corruption and false interests. Mussolini claimed to the people that "the fascists had abolished the troubles and disorder that poisoned the national soul" [autobiography extract] when instead, with the new system of corporativism and the old effects from the economic battles still looming, Mussolini was providing the poison for the economic soul of Italy.

    Read More

  • Italy: Conflicting Identity In The World Of Italy

    1894 Words  | 4 Pages

    Italy’s national self image was disjointed in the past and remains this way today. According to Neapolitan historian Luigi Blanch, “The patriotism of the Italians is like that of ancient Greeks, and is love of a single town, not of a country; it is the feeling of a tribe not of a nation. Only by foreign conquest have they ever been united. Leave them to themselves and they split into fragments.” (Koellhoffer) In “Conflicting Identity is Part of Italy’s History”, Patriarca, who grew up in the region of Piedmont says “The Northern League has attacked the idea of Italian unity by asserting that the south is different and a burden on the population.” Patriarca agrees with Blanch that there is no unity and blames the northern part of the country. She claims that the north is responsible for splitting the nation after the Cold War due to economical differences. (Sassi) However, there has been occasional unity. Unity can be brought about by a strong leader like Machivelli or Dante. Many people still will not join even the strongest political leader in order to support their country beca...

    Read More

  • Mussolini And Fascism

    1541 Words  | 4 Pages

    Fascism is the philosophy that exercises a dictatorship through the use of violence. There are two main areas fascism deals with. An elitist approach that makes the peoples' will on a select group with a supreme leader who governs all. The other approach is the populist approach in which the government wishes to have all its people act out against the government's oppressors. (Baradat) Fascism came from the word fasces, a bundle of sticks that were bound to an ax, which was supposed to represent "civic unity and the authority of the Roman officials to punish wrongdoers," (www.funkandwagnall.com)

    Read More

  • Fascism

    1927 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...vation less acutely than others.” All political parties except the fascists, were banned and trade unions were almost made illegal. Instead workers and employers were made to join “Corporations”, which were meant to sort out the differences between them. Newspapers and books were censored and all education was controlled. 1922 was renamed Year One and all school books were rewritten. Boys were expected to become good soldiers and all students were encouraged to join organisations which taught them how to be better fascists. Mussolini began a series of schemes to improve the Italian economy, he called these the “Battles.” He tried to make Italy self sufficient in food, farmers were encouraged to grow more wheat ( the Battle for Grain). Families were encouraged to have more children, the Battle for Births and land for agriculture was reclaimed, the Battle for Land. Women were discouraged from working horse riding and wearing trousers Instead they were encouraged to stay at home and have as many children as possible. In 1940 Mussolini reviewed a parade of 180 married couples who had produced 1544, the mothers were given gold medals for their service to the nation.

    Read More

  • Vittorio de Sica's The Bicycle Thief

    3280 Words  | 7 Pages

    This somber conclusion to the film seems to be an expression of hopelessness for Italy's future. By 1948, the country had gone through a series of tumultuous historical events, caused by the inadequacy of its political and economic system. The disillusionment of its citizens with the system and in fact with the very concept of their nation was taken to its limits by yet another failure to achieve true social change after World War II. The transformismo of the Christian Democrats and the attendismo of the Communists offered no hope for Italians, appearing as just another stage in the country's endless cycle of political and social failure.

    Read More

  • Italian Neorealism

    1434 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before the dawn of Neorealism, Italy was under great turmoil in the early 1920s suffering from major economic crisis, bank failures and a collapsing government, which would also mean a collapse in the Italian film industry and the ‘Silent Era’ of cinema (Roberts, 2005). When Benito Mussolini took control as the 40th Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 the revival of Italian cinema would be once again be relived, but this time ruled under the control and guidance by Mussolini and his fascist government (Bondanella, 2001).

    Read More

  • Differences Between Democracy and Fascism

    1104 Words  | 3 Pages

    Around the world the ideology known as “fascism” is commonly related to two men, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. This tradition of political thinking has long been argued by political scientists and many others on what exactly defines a fascist state. According to Webster’s dictionary the term is defined as, “a way of organizing a society in which a government ruled by a dictator controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree with the government.” Although this definition would be contested by many scientists it is a good compromise.

    Read More

More about Who in Italy Gained from Fascism

Open Document