Rise of
Totalitarianism
Case Study #2:
Fascist Italy under
Benito Mussolini
Fascism (noun)
1. a governmental system led by a leader with complete power who forcibly suppresses
opposition and criticism, regiments all industry and emphasizes an aggressive nationalism
and often racism.
2. the philosophy, principles, or methods of fascism.
3. a political movement that employs the principles and methods of fascism, especially the one
established by Benito Mussolini in Italy 1922–43.
https://fascistitaly.wordpress.com/benito-mussolini/
http://www.funfront.net/hist/total/f-italy.htm
Two Articles on Fascist Italy Under Mussolini
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7lw30qKFLw
&index=3&list=PL06B76EF45596C027
Intro to Fascism in Italy Video (6 minutes)
Mussolini's Fascism vs. Stalin’s Communism
Key Similarities:
• Both promote extreme nationalism and total obedience to government authority
• Both outlaw political opposition and freedom of speech
• Both used propaganda, secret police & indoctrination techniques
• Both build up and glorify military force and use military to control and/or annex
neighboring countries
Key Differences:
• Communism utilizes a state controlled (government ownership) economy while
fascism works together with a capitalist (private ownership of business) economy
• Fascism did not promise a classless (economically equal) society
Assignment #6: Introduction to Mussolini: Illustrated Summary
Task: Read over the summaries in each square on handout. Illustrate each square with a simple drawing that
represents what is happening (stick figures OK). When we return from break we will to discuss how
Mussolini’s rule was Totalitarian in nature (see wheel below).