Benito Mussolini
Johnny Ly & Abby Milam
Background Information
Dates and Places
Childhood
Oldest of 3 children
Very smart
Disobedient
Rambunctious
Expelled from multiple schools
Bullying
Disobeying school rules
Fascist Party
Formed in March 1919
“Proclaimed opposition to social class discrimination and supported nationalist sentiments”
- Wanted to make Italy like it was in its “great Roman past”
1901
Received teaching certificate
- Worked as schoolmaster
1902
Moved to Switzerland
Promoted Socialism
Had reputation
“Magnetism and remarkable rhetorical talents”
Swiss authorities banned him from the country
1904
Went back to Italy
Kept promoting socialism
Was imprisoned
When released, started editing Avanti
Organization’s newspaper
Means forward
Gave him larger voice, larger influence
World War I
Condemned Italy’s participation at first
Saw it as an opportunity for Italy to rise in power
Attitude changed
“Broke ties with other socialists”
He was kicked out of the organization
Joined army in 1915
Ranked corporal
was injured and discharged
After
Went back to politics
Thought Italian government was weak because of the Treaty of Versailles
World War II
World War II
Role Model
For Adolf Hitler
Based rise of power on Benito Mussolini
Wanted to establish a relationship with him
1939
Signed a military alliance
“Pact of Steel”
Success
Mussolini instituted discrimination policies
Influenced Adolf Hitler to discriminate Against Jews
1940
- Italy invaded Greece
How did their accomplishments in the war impact their country and the outcome of the war?
Fascist Party leader
Used force and intimidation
Created a dictatorship
Invaded Ethiopia and Albania
Influenced Hitler
Wanted an alliance
Italy
Ousted Mussolini from power
Arrested
Later rescued by Germans
Seized Mussolini
Shot and strung him for public display
Quote:
“War is to man what maternity is to a woman. From a philosophical and doctrinal viewpoint, I do not believe in perpetual peace.” -Benito Mussolini
He thinks that war is inevitable and that it is a basic recurrence. He doesn’t believe that there is a chance of peace and that war is necessary.
He...
Loved violence as a kid and was expelled from multiple schools for bullying and fighting
Stabbed a classmate in the hand when he was 10
Declared himself an atheist and rallied against the church
Wanted to repair his relationship with the church when he rose to power as a dictator
Used to be a schoolmaster
Was banned from Switzerland
Went to Switzerland to promote Socialism
Started the Fascist Party
Was bald and liked fancy uniforms