Italian Fascism

The first state in which the fascist regime was established was Italy. This system was born here. In this country the history of fascism began.

The state was in a situation of specific political, social and economic difficulties. Emerged in the 19th century, these problems were exacerbated by the First World War. As one of the victorious countries, Italy was more exhausted by the war than the other powers. The crisis was in industry, financial system, agriculture. In no country of the world has there been such poverty and unemployment.

Italian fascism began to blossom at the end of the war. The first organizations with the corresponding management system began to be formed.

Despite some setbacks, Italy was one of the victors in the war. Following the battle, the country received Istria from Trieste and South Tyrol. The government of the country had to yield to the Yugoslavia Dalmatian coast, and the city of Risk (Fiume) was declared free. It should be noted that the public was unhappy with such behavior of the allied countries and the alleged instability of the Italian government.

Against the backdrop of nationalist sentiments, the country's leadership did not dare interfere in the occupation of Fiume by Italian troops led by Gabriele D'Annunzio (the soldiers did not obey the order to withdraw). For sixteen months, the "black-shirts" soldiers hosted the city. From that moment, Italian fascism with all its elements began to develop actively.

The political style, founded by D'Annunzio, took as a model Mussolini. His movement united the latter in the National Fascist Party. In a relatively short period Mussolini succeeded in forming a mass movement, which by 1921 numbered about two hundred thousand participants ("blackshirts").

Italian fascism had a paramilitary appearance that attracted not only former socialists along with nationalists, but also youth and war participants. All these people saw in the new movement the only force that could radically solve not only the national, but also the personal problems of the population.

The political tactics developed by Italian fascism, in essence, contributed to the transition of the world war into a civil confrontation.

The country's leadership not only did not interfere in the actions of the new party, but, on the contrary, encouraged them in every possible way. The regime of fascism received the patronage of a powerful confederation of landowner unions and industrialists.

In 1921, October 27, on the orders of Mussolini began a campaign against Rome. Although the "blackshirts" were not actually armed, the police and the country's leadership again decided not to interfere in the situation.

Instead of preventing the coup, the king of Italy appointed Mussolini as prime minister of the country.

In 1924, April 5, in the parliamentary elections, the fascist party of Italy, together with the liberals (in the general list), received almost two-thirds of all seats. On the one hand, Mussolini's power was based on the position of the head in the government entrusted to him by the king, on the other hand, on a single party subordinate to him, as leader.

From October 1925 began the establishment of fascist organizations in Italy. These corporations put an end to the free trade union movement. Twenty-two organizations were established in the country (in accordance with the branches of industry).

After the establishment of the "corporate system" Mussolini was able to easily get rid of the remnants of the parliament. After that, a chamber of fascist corporations and organizations was formed.

Since November, the "higher laws of fascism" have been published. These acts greatly expanded the power of Mussolini by extending the powers of the government completely subordinated to the new system.

By early 1928, a new election law was passed. In accordance with it, the "Great Council of Fascists" compiled one list of candidates. Voters could reject or accept it as a whole. As a result, in Italy the entire parliamentary system was replaced by a dictatorship.