The Rise Of Italian Fascism And The Cult of Personality with Richard Bowen
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Fascism in Italy began during World War One, spearheaded by radicals such as Benito Mussolini. But what caused its rapid rise? Who were its opponents and what were its values? This conversation explores the rise and practice of Italian Fascism from 1919 to 1940 as we delve deeper into these darker days of Italian history.
We’ll start by looking at the rancor amongst Italian veterans, of World War One, in regard to the "mutilated victory" as a result of the Treaty of Versailles, which helped ferment social dissent, which combined with the social hardships that the nation was suffering at the time of the post-war period. We’ll discuss how the rise of populist or extremist movements on both the left and right of the political spectrum was an attempt to alleviate the social and economic decline that Italy experienced after the Great War.
The seminar will also look at the tactics of Benito Mussolini, who was instrumental in creating and harnessing the Fascist movement, and bringing it to power, and thus creating a regime that allowed him to rule for over twenty years, and study his attempts to build a legacy that would endure long into the future. It will also touch upon the many social programs that his regime promoted. In the latter stages of our seminar, we will look at Fascist foreign policy and the increasing bellicose stance that it took in the 1930s, which saw it eventually ally with Nazi Germany and, thus, eventually find itself involved in another world war.
Led by Rome-based history teacher Richard Bowen, this is a fitting conversation for those interested in many facets of history particularly Italian history of the early 20th Century, the rise of Italian Fascism, Fascist social programs, Italian Fascism's relationship with Nazi Germany, Italian architecture, and the derring-do, and even bluster of Benito Mussolini, who brought the Fascists to power. Without his chutzpah and cunning, it is unlikely that the Fascists would have ever taken power. This seminar will also link, historically, in part, with the time of the Italian Risorgimento, and highlight Mussolini's desire to replicate, and even better, the empire of the Ancient Romans.
Originally from England, Richard has lived in Rome for the last fourteen years. He holds a Master's degree in medieval and twentieth-century history from London University and has a broad-minded and synthetic approach to understanding Rome. Richard works quite frequently with institutional travel organizations, such as museums and church organizations, and as a result, spends much of his time traveling all over Europe. He brings this cosmopolitan and pan-European experience to bear on his work with us in Rome, constantly making connections to other cities and countries in the course of his lectures and seminars.
This conversation is suitable for all ages
90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.
A lot of information, probably too much for the time. Instructor often read the material on the slides - too much material on slides. Difficult to take notes - better if had slides in advance. Lots of individuals noted but impossible to take notes and understand what being said. I enjoyed the lecture but would like to have slides in order to do more research.
Richard Bowen clearly is knowledgeable about this subject, but for me the seminar was a mad race through dates, names, and facts, most of which I could have read myself on the detail-filled powerpoint slides. This made it hard to absorb, and I would have appreciate pauses now and then with a step back to consider what the larger concepts are emerge from the details.
I imagine that Mr. Bowen is a fabulous walking tour guide, as his detailed knowledge of dates, facts and events would translate well when offered as tidbits in from tof a park, or ambling around an area of a city, or looking at a building. It does not work at all when presented as a lecture. What I received was a presentation akin to a riding of a Wikipedia entry, right down to the virtual reading of the presentation slides on camera. A near total bust, except that now I know when Mussolini.
Richard Bowen provided a very clear picture of the conditions that gave rise to Mussolini and fascism in Italy as well as its outcome in WWII. His slides were chock full of facts so he had to proceed at a brisk pace. However, his style of presentation and the subject matter were engaging, so it was not difficult to keep up.