When was the rise of Fascism in Europe?

Many people hoped that World War I was the ‘war to end all wars’. However, during the 1920s and 1930s there were a lot of political changes in many countries. In 1922 these changes led to the growth of the Fascist movement, (‘Fascism’ comes from the word fasces, meaning a bundle of branches.) fascism promised strong leadership and to restore the national economy and pride. This was a very powerful message in the years of the Great Depression, and many people in Europe supported the various Fascist parties.

Italy was the first country to have a Fascist rule. In 1922, Benito Mussolini marched to Rome and demanded that the Italian king, Victor Emmanuel III, make him Prime Minister.

Fact File:

Oswald Mosley set up the British Union of Fascists after a visit to Italy in 1932. His supporters were known as ‘the Blackshirts’.

 

Picture Credit : Google