Historically, dictatorship is a temporary expedient for an emergency; totalitarianism, on the other hand, is a theory of
government and a theory of life--a permanent form of society that calls for total control of the individual by the state.
-Mussolini: He began as a pro-revolutionary, leftist socialist, employed as a radical journalist; in war he became a strong
nationalist, believing in Italia Irridenta. Demobilized as a corporal, he organized groups called fascio di
combattimento, fighting bands.
-Italy had lost 600,000 dead in the war and was disappointed by Versailles; it had
gained territory, but no mandates. There was much social unrest--peasant uprisings and worker strikes, and a clear
worker move towards communism.
-Mussolini’s fascisti, dressed in black shirts, began brawling with communists in the
streets. The government, formed by coalitions, was weak and failed to act. In elections the fascists won 35 of the 500
seats, but gained goons. The propertied were thoroughly frightened of communism, and found fascist ideas comforting.
Mussolini had favored higher corporate taxes and attacked “war profiteering” by the rich. Business support brought a
shift to a “law and order”, anti-commie program, which also appealed to nationalists and the lower middle class. His
squadristi attacked strikes, unions, any elected leftists. When the left-wing called for a general strike, Mussolini called
for a “March on Rome,” and the frightened government named Mussolini premier, with a year of full emergency
powers (after a liberal cabinet had tried to get martial law to defeat Mussolini).
Mussolini now declared that the largest party would get two-thirds of Parliament; using control of the electoral
machinery plus his squadristi he won 60% of the vote in the 1924 election. A respected socialist named Matteoti
exposed the violence and was murdered; indignation was wide spread, but Mussolini over-rode all opposition and
created a full dictatorship: No Parliament; censored press, no labor unions or strike; only one allowed party.
Democracy was called the cause of class struggle and selfishness; states required a vigorous leader, II Duce. He
denounced capitalism and Marxism, advocating control of the economy by the syndical, or corporate state: all
economic life was divided into 22 corporations; in each, representatives of labor, employers and the government set
prices, wages, and industrial policies--with the government vote decisive, of course. Corporate economic chambers
were merged as a parliament, with all members chosen by the government. Ownership was left in private hands, but under strict state control.
The Depression still hit Italy. Mussolini reacted by a program of public works, and aimed at self-sufficiency in food.
Works included reclamation of swamps, building of hydroelectric plants. He carried out no fundamental reforms--the
extremes of wealth remained. He did not improve the material well-being, but stressed psychological exhilaration.
Nationalism was developed through imperialistic militarism. Fascism appealed to eastern Europe, with its nationalism,
dislike of democracy, and fear of communism.