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Mussolini is exposed to Futurism
The futurists value speed, violence, art, science, and progress. They welcomed war, and planted the seeds for fascism in Mussolini’s head -
Mussolini founds a Fascist newspaper
Mussolini founds Il Popolo d'Italia (The People of Italy), a fascist newspaper which is Mussolini's way of communicating with the public early on. -
Mussolini preaches a Fascist Ideology
Promotes war and promises to return italy to the status of ancient Rome. Mussolini spreads his new ideology, his ideas catch on among fellow veterans. Tactical use of violence defines fascism in its early years. -
Mussolini Paints himself a Saviour
Over 2,000,000 italian workers are involved in over 2,000 strikes across europe. Mussolini is the only one that can stop the economic landslide. He claims that only he can stop the “cracking.” He appeals to the people by using the red scare. He calls upon all soldiers to fight the communists.
Public support continues to go up. -
30,000 Black Shirts March on Rome.
In October of 1922, 30,000 of Mussolini's soldiers commence their march on Rome. Mussolini demands that the king appoint him Prime Minister. After 2 days, the King grants Mussolini the office of Prime Minister. They were scared of civil war and a socialist uprising. -
1924 General Election
Mussolini rigs the poles by leaving one of his goons outside each polling station, who beats the first person to come out of the polling station as a warning to everyone outside.
Shows he is not afraid to use force and violence on his own people. -
Killing Giacomo
Giacomo Matteotti calls for the election to be nullified, and claims that Mussolini is corrupt. Matteotti is killed.
Mussolini claims “I and I alone take full responsibility for what has happened,”
He embraces violence and sets the tone for how he will govern. Mussolini adopts the name “Il Duce,” Latin for leader. -
Indoctrination of the Public
Indoctrination is about convincing people that there is no other way than to follow Il Duce.
“At every hour of every day, I could tell you what page of what textbook every school child is studying” Mussolini claimed to have this much of a hold over the public. -
The Italians Invade Ethiopia
Mussolini uses war as a distraction away from problems back home, and puts the focus on the war effort. Italy is unprepared for this, and underestimate Ethiopian forces even though they had held the Italians back about 40 years prior. -
War Breaks Out across Europe.
Hitler is a Dominant power and Mussolini leans towards siding with him from the outset. Mussolini believes WWII is Italy's chance to become a more dominant power. -
The Strawman Army.
Italy is defeated in battle after battle both in Greece and Egypt.
This caused public opinion to plummet, as they realized Il Duce was not the saviour he claimed to be. -
Mussolini Ousted from his position as PM
Benito is invited to attend a meeting of the elites, in which he is voted out of power. -
Mussolini Hung
Mussolini was caught trying to escape Italy by a group of partizans. He was executed by firing squad and brought back to Milan, where he was hung by his feet at a gas station. In ancient Rome, traitors would be killed and hung by their feet on display.