Principal beliefs Italian Fascism

1 principal beliefs

1.1 nationalism

1.1.1 irredentism , expansionism
1.1.2 race

1.1.2.1 attitude , policies regarding jews




1.2 totalitarianism
1.3 corporatist economics
1.4 age , gender roles
1.5 tradition

principal beliefs
nationalism

italian fascism based upon italian nationalism , in particular seeks complete considers incomplete project of risorgimento incorporating italia irredenta ( unredeemed italy ) state of italy. national fascist party (pnf) founded in 1921 declared party serve revolutionary militia placed @ service of nation. follows policy based on 3 principles: order, discipline, hierarchy .

mussolini , many of revolutionary syndicalist adherents gravitated towards form of revolutionary nationalism in effort identify communality of man not class, nation . drifting away earlier marxism socialism secured within national boundaries, mussolini insisted fascism form of socialism appropriate proletarian nations of twentieth century . enrico corradini, leader in mussolini s administration, championed concept of proletarian nationalism, writing italy in 1910: proletarian people in respect rest of world. nationalism our socialism . mussolini referred fascist italy during world war ii proletarian nations rise against plutocrats .

it identifies modern italy heir roman empire , italy during renaissance , promotes cultural identity of romanitas ( roman-ness ). italian fascism historically sought forge strong italian empire third rome , identifying ancient rome first rome , renaissance-era italy second rome . italian fascism has emulated ancient rome , mussolini in particular emulated ancient roman leaders, such julius caesar model fascists rise power , augustus model empire-building. italian fascism has directly promoted imperialism, such within doctrine of fascism (1932), ghostwritten giovanni gentile on behalf of mussolini:

the fascist state power , empire. roman tradition here powerful force. according doctrine of fascism, empire not territorial or military or mercantile concept, spiritual , moral one. 1 can think of empire, is, nation, directly or indirectly guides other nations, without need conquer single square kilometre of territory.

irredentism , expansionism

fascism emphasized need restoration of mazzinian risorgimento tradition pursued unification of italy, fascists claimed had been left incomplete , abandoned in giolittian-era italy. fascism sought incorporation of claimed unredeemed territories italy.

to east of italy, fascists claimed dalmatia land of italian culture italians, including of italianized south slavic descent, had been driven out of dalmatia , exile in italy, , supported return of italians of dalmatian heritage. mussolini identified dalmatia having strong italian cultural roots centuries via roman empire , republic of venice. fascists focused claims based on venetian cultural heritage of dalmatia, claiming venetian rule had been beneficial dalmatians , had been accepted dalmatian population. fascists outraged after world war i, when agreement between italy , entente allies in treaty of london of 1915 have dalmatia join italy revoked in 1919. fascist regime supported annexation of yugoslavia s region of slovenia italy held portion of slovene population, whereby slovenia become italian province, resulting in quarter of slovene ethnic territory , approximately 327,000 out of total population of 1.3 million slovenes being subjected forced italianization. fascist regime imposed mandatory italianization upon german , south slav populations living within italy s borders. fascist regime abolished teaching of minority german , slavic languages in schools, german , slavic language newspapers shut down , geographical , family names in areas of german or slavic languages italianized. resulted in significant violence against south slavs deemed resisting italianization. fascist regime supported annexation of albania, claimed albanians ethnically linked italians through links prehistoric italiotes, illyrian , roman populations , major influence exerted roman , venetian empires on albania justified italy s right possess it. fascist regime justified annexation of albania on basis that—because several hundred thousand people of albanian descent had been absorbed society in southern italy already—the incorporation of albania reasonable measure unite people of albanian descent 1 state. fascist regime endorsed albanian irredentism, directed against predominantly albanian-populated kosovo , epirus – particularly in chameria inhabited substantial number of albanians. after italy annexed albania in 1939, fascist regime endorsed assimilating albanians italians , colonizing albania italian settlers italian peninsula gradually transform italian land. fascist regime claimed ionian islands italian territory on basis islands had belonged venetian republic mid-14th until 18th century.

to west of italy, fascists claimed territories of corsica, nice , savoy held france italian lands. during period of italian unification in 1860 1861, prime minister of piedmont-sardinia, camillo benso, count of cavour, leading unification effort, faced opposition french emperor napoleon iii indicated france oppose italian unification unless france given nice , savoy held piedmont sardinia, france did not want powerful state having control of passages of alps. result, piedmont-sardinia pressured concede nice , savoy france in exchange france accepting unification of italy. fascist regime produced literature on corsica presented evidence of italianità of island. fascist regime produced literature on nice justified nice italian land based on historic, ethnic , linguistic grounds. fascists quoted medieval italian scholar petrarch said: border of italy var; consequently nice part of italy . fascists quoted italian national hero giuseppe garibaldi said: corsica , nice must not belong france; there come day when italy mindful of true worth reclaim provinces shamefully languishing under foreign domination . mussolini pursued promoting annexation of corsica through political , diplomatic means, believing corsica annexed italy through first encouraging existing autonomist tendencies in corsica , independence of corsica france, followed annexation of corsica italy.

to north of italy, fascist regime in 1930s had designs on largely italian-populated region of ticino , romansch-populated region of graubünden in switzerland (the romansch people latin-based language). in november 1938, mussolini declared grand fascist council: shall bring our border gotthard pass . fascist regime accused swiss government of oppressing romansch people in graubünden. mussolini argued romansch italian dialect , graubünden should incorporated italy. ticino claimed because region had belonged duchy of milan mid-fourteenth century until 1515, being inhabited italian speakers of italian ethnicity. claim raised on basis areas part of graubünden in mesolcina valley , hinterrhein held milanese trivulzio family, ruled mesocco castle in late 15th century. during summer of 1940, galeazzo ciano met hitler , ribbentrop , proposed them dissection of switzerland along central chain of western alps, have left italy canton of valais in addition claims raised earlier.

the session of grand council of 9 may 1936, italian empire proclaimed

to south, regime claimed archipelago of malta, had been held british since 1800. mussolini claimed maltese language dialect of italian , theories malta being cradle of latin civilization promoted. italian had been used in malta in literary, scientific , legal fields , 1 of malta s official languages until 1937 when status abolished british response italy s invasion of ethiopia. italian irredentists had claimed territories on coast of north africa italy s fourth shore , used historical roman rule in north africa precedent justify incorporation of such territories italian jurisdiction being return of italy north africa. in january 1939, italy annexed territories in libya considered within italy s fourth shore, libya s 4 coastal provinces of tripoli, misurata, benghazi , derna becoming integral part of metropolitan italy. @ same time, indigenous libyans given ability apply special italian citizenship required such people literate in italian language , confined type of citizenship valid in libya only. tunisia had been taken france protectorate in 1881 had highest concentration of italians in north africa , seizure france had been viewed injury national honour in italy @ perceived loss of tunisia italian plans incorporate it. upon entering world war ii, italy declared intention seize tunisia province of constantine of algeria france.

to south, fascist regime held interest in expanding italy s african colonial possessions. in 1920s, italy regarded portugal weak country unbecoming of colonial power due weak hold on colonies , mismanagement of them , such italy desired annexe portugal s colonies. italy s relations portugal influenced rise power of authoritarian conservative nationalist regime of salazar, borrowed fascist methods, though salazar upheld portugal s traditional alliance britain.

race

in 1921 speech in bologna, mussolini stated fascism born... out of profound, perennial need of our aryan , mediterranean race . in speech, mussolini referring italians being mediterranean branch of aryan race, aryan in meaning of people of indo-european language , culture. italian fascism emphasized race bound spiritual , cultural foundations , identified racial hierarchy based on spiritual , cultural factors. while italian fascism based conception of race on spiritual , cultural factors, mussolini explicitly rejected notions biologically pure races still considered relevant factor in racial classification. claimed italianità had assimilatory capacity. used spiritual , cultural conceptions of race make land claims on dalmatia , justify italian sphere of influence in balkans based on then-present , historical italian cultural influence in balkans. fascist regime justified colonialism in africa claiming spiritual , cultural superiority of italians part of white race, justified right italy , other powers of white race rule on black race, while asserting racial segregation of whites , blacks in colonies. claimed fascism s colonial goals civilize inferior races , defend purity of western civilization racial miscegenation claimed harm intellectual qualities of white race. claimed white race needed increase natality in order avoid being overtaken black , yellow races multiplying @ faster rate whites.

within italy, italian empire , territory identified spazio vitale italy cultural-racial hierarchy ranked peoples in terms of value lived there defined 1940, during plans italy s spazio vitale being formalized regime. fascist regime considered italians superior other peoples of mediterranean region – including latin, slavic , hellenic peoples – because italians had achieved racial unity , full political consciousness via fascist regime. latin, slavic , hellenic peoples regarded superior turkic, semitic , hamitic peoples. amongst indigenous peoples of africa, racial hierarchy regarded indigenous north africans superior indigenous people in italian east africa.

though believing in racial superiority of europeans on non-europeans, fascist regime displayed diplomatic courtesy non-europeans. regime held alliance japan within tripartite pact between germany, italy , japan. indian independence movement leader mahatma gandhi visited italy in 1931 , invited mussolini personal visit, providing gandhi full diplomatic courtesy. fascist official italo balbo during transatlantic flight italy united states in 1933 visited leaders of sioux tribe , accepted sioux s honorary bestowing of incorporation sioux sioux position , name chief flying eagle .

italian fascism rejected common nordicist conception of aryan race idealized pure aryans having physical traits defined nordic such blond hair , blue eyes. nordicism divisive because italians – , southern italians had faced discrimination nordicist proponents in countries united states out of view non-nordic southern europeans inferior nordics. in italy, influence of nordicism had divisive effect in influence resulted in northern italians regarded have nordic racial heritage considered civilized people while negatively regarding southern italians biologically inferior. @ least of stereotypes southern italians created cesare lombroso, italian jewish criminologist , anthropologist of sephardic descent. controversial theories, lombroso expelled italian society of anthropology , ethnology in 1882 , lombrosian doctrine considered pseudoscientific.

mussolini , other fascists held antipathy nordicism because of viewed inferiority complex of people of mediterranean racial heritage claimed had been installed mediterranean people propagation of such theories german , anglo-saxon nordicists viewed mediterranean peoples racially degenerate , in view inferior. however, traditional nordicist claims of mediterraneans being degenerate due having darker colour of skin nordics had long been rebuked in anthropology through depigmentation theory claimed lighter skinned peoples had been depigmented darker skin, theory has since become accepted view in anthropology. anthropologist carleton s. coon in work races of europe (1939) subscribed depigmentation theory claimed nordic race s light-coloured skin result of depigmentation ancestors of mediterranean race. mussolini refused allow italy return again inferiority complex, rejecting nordicism.

in 1930s, rise power of nazi party in germany führer adolf hitler s staunch emphasis on nordicist conception of aryan race, strong tensions arose between fascists , nazis on racial issues, hitler regarded northern italians aryan, not southern italians. nazis regarded ancient romans have been largely people of mediterranean race, though claimed roman ruling classes nordic, descended aryan conquerors north , nordic aryan minority responsible rise of roman civilization. nazis viewed downfall of roman empire being result of deterioration of purity of nordic aryan ruling class through intermixing inferior mediterranean types led empire s decay. in addition, racial intermixing in population in general blamed rome s downfall, claiming italians whole hybrid of races, including black african races. due darker complexion of mediterranean peoples, hitler regarded them having traces of negroid blood , therefore not pure aryans , inferior without such heritage. hitler praised post-roman era achievements of northern italians such sandro botticelli, michelangelo, dante alighieri , benito mussolini. nazis ascribed great achievements of post-roman era northern italians presence of nordic racial heritage in such people via nordic heritage had germanic ancestors, such nazi ideologist alfred rosenberg recognizing michelangelo , leonardo da vinci exemplary nordic men of history. however, nazis did claim aside biologically nordic people nordic soul inhabit non-nordic body. hitler emphasized role of germanic influence in northern italy, such stating art of northern italy nothing pure german .

in 1934 in aftermath of austrian nazis killing austrian chancellor engelbert dollfuss, ally of italy, mussolini became enraged , responded angrily denouncing nazism. mussolini rebuked nazism s nordicism, claiming nazis emphasizing of common nordic germanic race absurd saying germanic race not exist. ... repeat. not exist. scientists so. hitler says . fact germans not purely nordic indeed acknowledged prominent nazi racial theorist hans f. k. günther in book rassenkunde des deutschen volkes (1922) ( racial science of german people ), günther recognized germans being composed of 5 racial types: nordic, mediterranean, dinaric, alpine , east baltic while asserting nordics highest in racial hierarchy of 5 types.

by 1936, tensions between fascist italy , nazi germany reduced , relations became more amicable. in 1936, mussolini decided launch racial programme in italy , interested in racial studies being conducted giulio cogni. cogni nordicist, did not equate nordic identity germanic identity commonly done german nordicists. cogni had travelled germany had become impressed nazi racial theory , sought create own version of racial theory. on 11 september 1936, cogni sent mussolini copy of newly published book il razzismo (1936). cogni declared racial affinity of mediterranean , nordic racial subtypes of aryan race , claimed intermixing of nordic aryans , mediterranean aryans in italy produced superior synthesis of aryan italians. cogni addressed issue of racial differences between northern , southern italians, declaring southern italians mixed between aryan , non-aryan races, claimed due infiltration asiatic peoples in roman times , later arab invasions. such, cogni viewed southern italian mediterraneans being polluted orientalizing tendencies. later change idea , claim nordics , southern italians closely related groups both racially , spiritually, responsible best in european civilization. initially, mussolini not impressed cogni s work, cogni s ideas entered official fascist racial policy several years later.

in 1938, mussolini concerned if italian fascism did not recognize nordic heritage within italians, mediterranean inferiority complex return italian society. therefore in summer 1938, fascist government officially recognized italians having nordic heritage , being of nordic-mediterranean descent , in meeting pnf members. in june 1938 in meeting pnf members, mussolini identified himself nordic , declared previous policy of focus on mediterraneanism replaced focus on aryanism.

the fascist regime began publication of racialist magazine la difesa della razza in 1938. nordicist racial theorist guido landra took major role in work of la difesa , published manifesto of racial scientists in magazine in 1938.

the manifesto directly addressed conception of racism , emphasized autonomy german racial theories stating:

the question of racism in italy must treated purely biological point of view, without philosophical or religious implications. conception of racism in italy must italian , along aryan-nordic lines. not mean german racial theories being accepted word word in italy , italians , scandinavians same. merely wishes indicate italian people physical model , more importantly psychological model of human race on account of purely european characteristics distinct extra-european races. means elevate italian ideal of superior consciousness of himself , greater sense of responsibility.

the emphasis in manifesto on psychological model of superior human being in reference italian antisemitic racial theorists giovanni papini , paolo orano stated jews had associated being italian examples of inferior psychological types characterized moral abjection, falseness , cowardice not associated italian community. after article 7 of manifesto, remainder claimed peoples of oriental race, african races , jews, not belonging italian race; , in article 10 declared physical , psychological characteristics of italian people must not altered crossbreeding non-european races.

the manifesto received substantial criticism, including assertion of italians being pure race , critics viewed notion absurd. la difesa published other theories described long-term nordic aryan amongst italians, such theory in eneolithic age nordic aryans arrived in italy. many of writers of la difesa della razza took traditional nordicist claim decline , fall of roman empire due arrival of semitic immigrants. la difesa s writers divided on claims described how italians extricated semitic influence.

the nordicist direction of fascist racial policy challenged in 1938 resurgence of mediterranean faction in pnf. 1939, mediterraneanists advocated nativist racial theory rejected ascribing achievements of italian people nordic peoples. nativist racial policy prominently promoted ugo rellini. rellini rejected notion of large scale invasions of italy nordic aryans in eneolithic age , claimed italians indigenous people descended cro-magnons. rellini claimed mediterranean , later nordic peoples arrived , peacefully intermixed in small numbers indigenous italian population.

in 1941, pnf s mediterraneanists through influence of giacomo acerbo put forward comprehensive definition of italian race. however, these efforts challenged mussolini s endorsement of nordicist figures appointment of staunch spiritual nordicist alberto luchini head of italy s racial office in may 1941, mussolini becoming interested julius evola s spiritual nordicism in late 1941. acerbo , mediterraneanists in high council on demography , race sought bring regime supporting mediterraneanism thoroughly denouncing pro-nordicist manifesto of racial scientists. council recognized aryans being linguistic-based group , condemned manifesto denying influence of pre-aryan civilization on modern italy, saying manifesto constitutes unjustifiable , undemonstrable negation of anthropological, ethnological, , archaeological discoveries have occurred , occurring in our country . furthermore, council denounced manifesto implicitly crediting germanic invaders of italy in guise of lombards having formative influence on italian race in disproportional degree number of invaders , biological predominance . council claimed obvious superiority of ancient greeks , romans in comparison ancient germanic tribes made inconceivable italian culture owed debt ancient aryan germans. council denounced manifesto s nordicist supremacist attitude towards mediterraneans claimed considering them slaves , repudiation of entire italian civilization .

attitude , policies regarding jews

in years fascist leader, while mussolini harboured negative stereotypes of jews did not hold firm stance on jews , official stances oscillated , shifted meet political demands of various factions of fascist movement, rather having concrete stance. mussolini had held antisemitic beliefs prior becoming fascist, such in 1908 essay on topic of nietzsche s Übermensch, in mussolini condemned pallid judeans wrecking roman empire; , in 1913 editor of italian socialist party s (psi) avanti! newspaper again wrote jews having caused havoc in ancient rome. although mussolini held these negative attitudes, aware italian jews integrated , small community in italy , large perceived favourably in italy fighting valiantly italy in world war i. of 117 original members of fasci italiani di combattimento founded on 23 march 1919, 5 jewish. since movement s years, there small number of prominent openly antisemitic fascists such roberto farinacci. there prominent fascists rejected antisemitism, such italo balbo lived in ferrara had substantial jewish community accepted , antisemitic incidents rare in city.

in response observation of large numbers of jews amongst bolsheviks , claims (that later confirmed true) bolsheviks , germany (that italy fighting in world war i) politically connected, mussolini said antisemitic statements involving bolshevik-german connection being unholy alliance between hindenburg , synagogue . mussolini came believe rumours bolshevik leader vladimir lenin of jewish descent. in article in il popolo d italia in june 1919, mussolini wrote highly antisemitic analysis on situation in europe involving bolshevism following october revolution, russian civil war , war in hungary involving hungarian soviet republic.

if petrograd (pietrograd) not yet fall, if [general] denikin not moving forward, great jewish bankers of london , new york have decreed. these bankers bound ties of blood jews in moscow in budapest taking revenge on aryan race has condemned them dispersion many centuries. in russia, 80 percent of managers of soviets jews, in budapest 17 out of 22 people s commissars jews. might not bolshevism vendetta of judaism against christianity?? worth pondering. entirely possible bolshevism drown in blood of pogrom of catastrophic proportions. world finance in hands of jews. whoever owns strongboxes of peoples in control of political systems. behind puppets (making peace) in paris, there rothschilds, warburgs, schiffs, guggenheims of same blood conquering petrograd , budapest. race not betray race....bolshevism defense of international plutocracy. basic truth of matter. international plutocracy dominated , controlled jews has supreme interest in of russian life accelerating process of disintegration point of paroxysm. russia paralyzed, disorganized, starved, place tomorrow bourgeoisie, yes bourgeoisie, o proletarians celebrate spectacular feast of plenty.

this statement mussolini on jewish-bolshevik-plutocratic connection , conspiracy met opposition in fascist movement, resulting in mussolini responding opposition amongst supporters abandoning stance shortly afterwards in 1919. upon abandoning stance due opposition it, mussolini no longer said previous assertion bolshevism jewish, warned due large numbers of jews in bolshevik movement rise of bolshevism in russia result in ferocious wave of antisemitism in russia. claimed antisemitism foreign italian people , warned zionists should careful not stir antisemitism in country has not existed .

margherita sarfatti influential jewish member of pnf whom mussolini had known since , had been members of psi , had been mistress , helped write dux (1926), biography of mussolini. 1 of jewish financial supporters of fascist movement toeplitz, whom mussolini had earlier accused of being traitor during world war i. prominent jewish italian fascist ettore ovazza, staunch italian nationalist , opponent of zionism in italy. 230 italian jews took part in fascists march on rome in 1922. in 1920s, mussolini cautious on topics of italian jewish financiers arose time time antisemitic elements in fascist movement, while regarded them untrustworthy believed draw them side. in 1932, mussolini made private attitude jews known austrian ambassador when discussing issue saying: have no love jews, have great influence everywhere. better leave them alone. hitler s antisemitism has brought him more enemies necessary .

on eve of march on rome, leadership of pnf declared jewish question not exist in our country , let hope there never shall one, @ least not until zionism poses italian jews dilemma of choosing between italian homeland , homeland . relations between regime , jews in practicing religion of judaism affected fascists accommodation of catholic church beginning in 1920s in sought remove previous provisions of equality of faiths , impose state support of supremacy of catholicism.

in 1928, frustration arose in regime on zionism in mussolini responded italian zionist congress publicly declaring question italy s jews on self-identity: religion or nation? . zionist , anti-zionist jews responded, anti-zionist jews professed religious jews part of italian nation, while zionist jews declared there no dispute between zionism , said italian jews held patriotic respect italy. upon these responses arriving, mussolini declared these revealed jewish problem existed in terms of jewish identity in italy result of conflicting national loyalties amongst zionist jews saying:

my intention seek clarification among italian jews , open eyes of christian italians. [...] goal has been achieved. problem exists, , no longer confined shadowy sphere had been constituted astutely former, ingeniously latter.

the fascists @ time not wholly opposed zionism, took instrumental approach hostile when caused conflict in italy country s catholic community , when such zionists seen associated british interests, though favourable zionists opposed british , sought italy s support protector. in 1930s, mussolini held discussions zionist leadership figures on proposals encourage emigration of italian jews mandate of palestine, mussolini hoped presence of pro-italian jews in region weaken pro-british sentiment , potentially overturn british mandate.

at 1934 montreux fascist conference chaired italian-led comitati d azione per l universalita di roma (caur) sought found fascist international, issue of antisemitism debated amongst various fascist parties, more favourable , others less favourable. 2 final compromises adopted, creating official stance of fascist international:

[t]he jewish question cannot converted universal campaign of hatred against jews [...] considering in many places groups of jews installed in conquered countries, exercising in open , occult manner influence injurious material , moral interests of country harbors them, constituting sort of state within state, profiting benefits , refusing duties, considering have furnished , inclined furnish, elements conducive international revolution destructive idea of patriotism , christian civilization, conference denounces nefarious action of these elements , ready combat them.

in discussion president of world zionist organization chaim weizmann on requests italy provide refuge jews fleeing nazi germany, mussolini agreed accept jewish refugees, warned weizmann consequences if such jews harmed italy saying:

i don t hide collusion of jewish world plutocracy , international left ever more evident, , our politico-military situation doesn t permit keep in our bosom eventual saboteurs of effort italian people making.

italian fascism s attitudes towards zionism , jews in general underwent shift in response second italo-ethiopian war. @ outset of war, mussolini sought gain favourable support italy s intervention in ethiopia , appealed zionists offering them solution jewish question, in italy set aside amount of territory conquered ethiopia homeland jews. mussolini claimed territory conquered ethiopia make ideal homeland jews, noting there large numbers of falasha living there identified jews. however, zionist leaders rejected proposal saying live in holy land in levant. mussolini viewed offensive snub , responded in frustration saying: if ethiopia enough italians why isn t enough jews? . afterwards, mussolini s relations zionist movement cooled , became aggravated observation many jews opposed italo-ethiopian war, responded:

world jewry doing bad business in aligning anti-fascist sanctions campaign against 1 european country which, @ least until now, has neither practiced nor preached anti-semitism

in 1936, fascist regime began promote racial antisemitism , mussolini claimed international jewry had sided britain against italy during italy s war ethiopia. historian renzo de felice believed fascist regime s pursuit of alliance nazi germany began in 1936 explains adoption of antisemitism pragmatic component of pursuit of alliance. de felice s interpretation has been challenged h. stuart hughes, has claimed direct nazi pressure adopt antisemitic policy had little or no impact on mussolini s decision. hughes notes fascist version of antisemitism based on spiritualist considerations while eschewing anthropological or biological arguments, unlike nazi version of antisemitism. italian fascism adopted antisemitism in late 1930s , mussolini returned invoke antisemitic statements had done earlier. fascist regime used antisemitic propaganda spanish civil war 1937 1938 emphasized italy supporting spain s nationalist forces against jewish international .

in 1938, fascist italy passed italian racial laws forbid jews citizenship , forbid sexual relations , marriages between italians , jews. adoption of such racial laws met opposition fascist members including balbo, regarded antisemitism having nothing fascism , staunchly opposed antisemitic laws.

totalitarianism

in 1925, pnf declared italy s fascist state totalitarian. term totalitarian had been used pejorative accusation italy s liberal opposition denounced fascist movement seeking create total dictatorship. however, fascists responded accepting totalitarian, presented totalitarianism positive viewpoint. mussolini described totalitarianism seeking forge authoritarian national state capable of completing risorgimento of italia irredenta, forge powerful modern italy , create new kind of citizen – politically active fascist italians.

the doctrine of fascism (1932) described nature of italian fascism s totalitarianism, stating following:

fascism liberty can serious thing, liberty of state , of individual in state. therefore fascist, in state, , no human or spiritual thing exists, or has sort of value, outside state. in sense fascism totalitarian, , fascist state synthesis , unity of every value, interprets, develops , strengthens entire life of people.

american journalist h. r. knickerbocker wrote in 1941: mussolini s fascist state least terroristic of 3 totalitarian states. terror mild in comparison soviet or nazi varieties, fails qualify terroristic @ all. example described italian journalist friend refused become fascist. fired newspaper , put under 24-hour surveillance, otherwise not harassed; employment contract settled lump sum , allowed work foreign press. knickerbocker contrasted treatment inevitable torture , execution under stalin or hitler, , stated have fair idea of comparative mildness of italian kind of totalitarianism .

however, since world war ii historians have noted in italy s colonies italian fascism displayed extreme levels of violence. deaths of one-tenth of population of italian colony of libya occurred during fascist era, including use of gassings, concentration camps, starvation , disease; , in ethiopia during second italo-ethiopian war , afterwards 1938 quarter of million ethiopians had died.

corporatist economics

italian fascism promotes corporatist economic system. economy involves employer , employee syndicates being linked in corporative associations collectively represent nation s economic producers , work alongside state set national economic policy. mussolini declared such economics third alternative capitalism , marxism italian fascism regarded obsolete doctrines . supports criminalization of strikes employees , lockouts employers illegal acts deems these acts prejudicial national community whole. similar bolsheviks in soviet russia, mussolini nationalized independent trade unions 1 government-operated syndicate, mandating union members every worker.

age , gender roles

the italian fascists political anthem called giovinezza ( youth ). fascism identifies physical age period of youth critical time moral development of people affect society.

italian fascism pursued called moral hygiene of youth, particularly regarding sexuality. fascist italy promoted considered normal sexual behaviour in youth while denouncing considered deviant sexual behaviour. condemned pornography, forms of birth control , contraceptive devices (with exception of condom), homosexuality , prostitution deviant sexual behaviour. fascist italy regarded promotion of male sexual excitation before puberty cause of criminality amongst male youth. fascist italy reflected belief of italians homosexuality wrong. instead of traditional catholic teaching sin, new approach taken based on then-modern psychoanalysis social disease. fascist italy pursued aggressive campaign reduce prostitution of young women.

mussolini perceived women s primary role childbearers while men warriors, once saying war man maternity woman . in effort increase birthrates, italian fascist government gave financial incentives women raised large families , initiated policies designed reduce number of women employed. italian fascism called women honoured reproducers of nation , italian fascist government held ritual ceremonies honour women s role within italian nation. in 1934, mussolini declared employment of women major aspect of thorny problem of unemployment , women working incompatible childbearing . mussolini went on solution unemployment men exodus of women work force . although initial fascist manifesto contained reference universal suffrage, broad opposition feminism meant when granted women right vote in 1925 limited purely voting in local elections.

tradition

italian fascism believed success of italian nationalism required clear sense of shared past amongst italian people along commitment modernized italy. in famous speech in 1926, mussolini called fascist art traditionalist , @ same time modern, looks past , @ same time future .

traditional symbols of roman civilization utilized fascists, particularly fasces symbolized unity, authority , exercise of power. other traditional symbols of ancient rome used fascists included she-wolf of rome. fasces , she-wolf symbolized shared roman heritage of regions constituted italian nation. in 1926, fasces adopted fascist government of italy symbol of state. in year, fascist government attempted have italian national flag redesigned incorporate fasces on it. however, attempt incorporate fasces on flag stopped strong opposition proposal italian monarchists. afterwards, fascist government in public ceremonies rose national tricolour flag along fascist black flag. however, years later , after mussolini forced power king in 1943 rescued german forces, italian social republic founded mussolini , fascists did incorporate fasces on state s war flag, variant of italian tricolour national flag.

the issue of rule of monarchy or republic in italy issue changed several times through development of italian fascism, italian fascism republican , denounced savoy monarchy. however, mussolini tactically abandoned republicanism in 1922 , recognized acceptance of monarchy necessary compromise gain support of establishment challenge liberal constitutional order supported monarchy. king victor emmanuel iii had become popular ruler in aftermath of italy s gains after world war , army held close loyalty king, idea of overthrowing monarchy discarded foolhardy fascists @ point. importantly, fascism s recognition of monarchy provided fascism sense of historical continuity , legitimacy. fascists publicly identified king victor emmanuel ii – first king of reunited italy had initiated risorgimento – along other historic italian figures such gaius marius, julius caesar, giuseppe mazzini, camillo benso, count of cavour, giuseppe garibaldi , others, being within tradition of dictatorship in italy fascists declared emulated. however, compromise monarchy did not yield cordial relationship between king , mussolini. although mussolini had formally accepted monarchy, pursued , largely achieved reducing power of king of figurehead. king initally held complete nominal legal authority on military through statuto albertino, ended during fascist regime when mussolini created position of first marshal of empire in 1938, two-person position of control on military held both king , head of government had effect of eliminating king s exclusive legal authority on military giving mussolini equal legal authority king on military. in 1930s, mussolini became aggravated monarchy s continued existence due envy of fact counterpart in germany adolf hitler both head of state , head of government of republic; , mussolini in private denounced monarchy , indicated had plans dismantle monarchy , create republic himself head of state of italy upon italian success in then-anticipated major war erupt in europe.

after being removed office , placed under arrest king in 1943, kingdom of italy s new non-fascist government switching sides axis allies, italian fascism returned republicanism , condemnation of monarchy. on 18 september 1943, mussolini made first public address italian people since rescue arrest allied german forces, in commended loyalty of hitler ally while condemning king victor emmanuel iii of kingdom of italy betraying italian fascism. on topic of monarchy removing him power , dismantling fascist regime, mussolini stated: not regime has betrayed monarchy, monarchy has betrayed regime , when monarchy fails in duties, loses every reason being...the state want establish national , social in highest sense of word; is, fascist, returning our origins . fascists @ point did not denounce house of savoy in entirety of history , credited victor emmanuel ii rejection of scornfully dishonourable pacts , denounced victor emmanuel iii betraying victor emmanuel ii entering dishonourable pact allies.

the relationship between italian fascism , catholic church mixed, highly anti-clerical , hostile catholicism, though mid late 1920s anti-clericalism lost ground in movement mussolini in power sought seek accord church church held major influence in italian society italians being catholic. in 1929, italian government signed lateran treaty holy see, concordat between italy , catholic church allowed creation of small enclave known vatican city sovereign state representing papacy. ended years of perceived alienation between church , italian government after italy annexed papal states in 1870. italian fascism justified adoption of antisemitic laws in 1938 claiming italy fulfilling christian religious mandate of catholic church had been initiated pope innocent iii in fourth lateran council of 1215, whereby pope issued strict regulation of life of jews in christian lands. jews prohibited holding public office give them power on christians , jews required wear distinctive clothing distinguish them christians.