Fascism: Definition, History, and Mussolini
Fascism: Ideology and Characteristics
Fascism (from the Italian fascio, meaning bundle, and fasces, from the Latin fasces, pl. of fascis) is a totalitarian political ideology and movement that emerged in interwar Europe (1918-1939). It stood in opposition to both liberal democracy and socialist state projects.
Fascism exalts the idea of the nation above the individual or class. It skillfully uses new media and the charisma of a leader, in whom all power is concentrated, to achieve its goals. It exploits feelings of fear and collective frustration, exacerbating them through violence, repression, and propaganda.
Mussolini’s Fascist Dictatorship in Italy
The Fascist dictatorship in Italy began in 1922 under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. Italy was experiencing a social crisis. The so-called “Blackshirts” (camicie nere) seized power after negotiations with the King during the famous March on Rome.
Mussolini’s regime shared similarities with Hitler’s. It was nationalistic, and there was initially some antisemitism, although it was not as central as in Nazi Germany. It was only later, under pressure from Hitler, that Mussolini’s regime implemented more severe anti-Jewish policies, including participation in the Holocaust. All other political parties and the press were banned. The regime initially gained popular support by promising and achieving territorial expansion.
The Downfall of Italian Fascism
During World War II, Italy allied with Nazi Germany. However, Italy’s military weakness led to it being heavily bombed. This marked the beginning of the end for Mussolini’s regime.
The Italian people, realizing that the war was destroying their gains, revolted. Mussolini was imprisoned. This effectively ended Fascism in Italy. The country switched its allegiance to the Allies. Mussolini was briefly rescued by Hitler and placed in charge of a puppet state in Northern Italy, but his end was near. He was captured and, in 1945, executed. His body, along with that of his mistress, was displayed in a public square.
Fascism
Fascism is an ideology and a totalitarian political movement that emerged in interwar Europe (1918-1939) in opposition to liberal democracy and the Socialist state project.
It exalts the idea of nation versus that of individual or class. It skillfully uses the new media and the charisma of a leader in whom all power is concentrated. It takes advantage of the feelings of fear and collective frustration to exacerbate them through violence, repression and propaganda.
It was a dictatorship that began in 1922 under the control of Benito Mussolini.
Italy was in a social crisis; the so-called black shirts took power after a negotiation with the king in the famous march on Rome.
It was a dictatorship very similar to that of Hitler; they were nationalists. There was hatred towards the Jews until the aforementioned German dictator convinced him and also established holocausts in Italy. The other parties, the press and all the people were banned. There was confidence after getting more land.
During World War II, Italy had already allied with Hitler and, being not so strong militarily, was bombarded. Here begins the beginning of the end of Benito.
The people were revealed to realize that everything they have achieved was causing them war. As I said, the people are revealed and put in prison. Here ends fascism, Italy is on the side of the allies and Mussolini is rescued by Hitler and put safe, but as everything ends, for Benito also ended, was found in northern Italy and in 1945 was killed and put in the square together with his wife to show their bodies.