The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

By 1900, Italy was a young, fragile country riddled with deep divisions. Unification in the 1860s had created one nation

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Italy's pre-Fascist government was controlled by a small elite of liberal politicians. Giovanni Giolitti dominated this

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Rapid industrial growth in early twentieth-century Italy created a large, angry working class. Workers began supporting

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Before 1915, Italy pursued an aggressive foreign policy to win colonies and great-power status. Repeated failures abroad

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Italy entered the First World War in 1915 expecting quick territorial gains. Instead, the war brought military disaster

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Many Italians felt cheated by the peace treaties after World War One. They called this betrayal the 'Mutilated Victory'.

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

After the First World War, Italy suffered rising prices, mass unemployment, and weak governments. These hardships pushed

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Between 1919 and 1922, mass strikes paralysed Italy and Fascist squads attacked their opponents in the streets. Parliame

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

In October 1922, King Victor Emmanuel III appointed Mussolini as prime minister. Mussolini used the threat of a Fascist

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Fascism was a radical nationalist movement that rejected both socialism and liberal democracy. Mussolini led it by proje

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945

The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

Liberal Italy — the parliamentary system that governed the country after unification in the 1860s — entered the twentiet

Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945