Soviet Russia Royal Dictatorships



The Fascist State



In Italy, Mussolini was appointed prime minister by King Victor Emmanuel in 1922. From 1926 onward, Mussolini ruled dictatorically, by decree; he had other political parties dissolved, the republican and democratic constitution circumvented.
The CORPORATE STATE he set up in Italy later saved as a model for a number of other autocratic states, notably Germany and Spain, and found admirers in Argentina and other American States.
Politically the state was ruled by a strong, authoritarian leader - the DUCE, FUEHRER, CAUDILLO etc.; the leader principle replaced democratic structures everywhere in society. The media were streamlined to serve the state - PROPAGANDA. Fascism propagated patriotism, military readyness - war was regarded the "school of the nation", territorial expansion and national glory propagated as goals to strive for. Women were told to give birth to many children; workers and employers were told to cooperate.
Trade unions and employers both joined SYNDICATS, bodies which were to solve labour problems and to cooperate in order to increase production. Practically, this form of organization favoured the employers. The state interfered in the economy, as it financed many ambitious projects, such as the construction of HIGHWAYS, HYDROELECTRIC DAMS and POWER STATIONS, drained swamps to extend land under cultivation etc.
On the downside, the state disrespected civil rights; political opponents were arrested, sent to CONCENTRATION CAMPS were many were maltreated or even killed.
By signing a CONCORDATE (a treaty regulating relations between church and state) with the Vatican the Corporate State improved relations with the church and neutralized Catholic parties; the Catholic church had had an uneasy relation with the Liberal State.


Italy
1925-1935 		Germany
1933-1939 		Spain
1939-1945 		Portugal
1918-1939 		Greece
1935-1940 		Hungary
1921-1939




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This page is part of World History at KMLA
Last revised on February 20th 2002

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