Special Opps - Mussolini

The Rise:
o What was the state of the Italy prior to Mussolini rising to
power?
Things to Consider:
Look at Italy directly at the end of WWI & Treaty of
Versailles (what did the war and the outcome of the
war and the terms of the ToV do to Italy?)
The economic state of Italy
The political strife between the different political
parties within Italy
The current ruler/current government and how the
rule was not effective
How the ppl feel about the current leader/current
government and why
Living conditions of ppl and the morale of the ppl -
how they felt about being Italian at the end of the
war (between 1914-1918)
o How did Mussolini gain supporters/win the ppl over?
Things to Consider:
Promises made to the people (to the ppls wellbeing,
the economy, etc how Mussolini offered salvation
from what was currently going on in the nation?)
Speeches
Interactions with public
Political ideologies (beliefs) Mussolini and Fascism,
How did the ideologies appeal to the public?
o How did Hitler gain ultimate power? How did he become
dictator solidifying his position as dictator?
Things to Consider:
Did he have to overthrow someone?
Were there opponents who needed to be
eliminated? How did he eliminate them?
How did he solidify his power as the dictator? How
did he seal the deal? (March on Rome and its
details)

Maintaining Power:
o How did Mussolini improve the economy?
Things to Consider:
Taxes? Lowering? Bonds?
Creation of jobs?
Creation of programs and organizations which
stimulated growth? Public works?
Money?
o How did Mussolini use his military?
Things to Consider:
What different types of police/military did he use?
What were their specialties? How did that help him
maintain power?
How did his military/police force protect the state
govt/enforce law?
How did the military contribute to the expansion of
territory/invasions of other countries?
Beginnings of WWII/allies
o How did your dictator maintain control of the people?
Things to Consider:
Usage of propaganda
Usage of fear (what would happen to the people if
he was no longer there to protect them?)
How the military/police force was used to control
the ppl?
Bribes?
Laws enforced?
Intimidation/Fear to show what happens when he
and his law is disobeyed?
The Fall:
o How did military losses in WWII affect the stability of Hitlers
power?
Things to Consider:
His allies and their successes/losses?
Morale of troops?
Misuse of money?
Maintenance of soldiers/supplies
o How did the ppls loss of faith in him affect his power/rule?
Things to consider: (essentially what you dont talk
about for the previous MD (his military losses), talk
about it here)
When did they turn on him and why?
Unfulfilled promises?
Failing military?
Security?
Corruption of ruler
Misuse of $
o How did he die?