Origins of Italian Fascism:

• Territorial demands rejected by great powers
• Problems: inflation, unemployed soldiers, ineffective government
  Fascio di Combattimento benefited from divided parliament
• Socialist revolution scared conservatives/landowners/industrialists
• (1920) Squadristi formed to destroy labor/socialist groups
  Liberal allies gave Fascists legitimacy
• Blackshirt "March on Rome" bluff: Mussolini made prime minister

The Italian Fascist State:

• Acerbo Law: party with 25% of vote=2/3 of seats in parliament
• (1926) Dictatorship Powers:
  Suspend press/arrests without due process/PM rule by decree
  Anti-Fascist parties outlawed/OVRA (secret police) formed
• Young Fascists: military preparation/women back to the home
• (1929) Lateran Accords: Mutual recognition (State & Vatican City)
  Catholicism sole religion of Italy