Time Warp: Fascism

Fascism Fascism is a fairly new form of government, having come around in the 20th century. However, it is not too different from an autocracy. The major difference is that citizens are kept in line less through religion and tradition and more through appeals to their national pride. The most well-known fascist regime was in Nazi Germany but you’re going back to the beginning of fascism in Italy.

Time Warp

Italy

1922

You’ve landed in Italy. The year is 1922. World War i has ended with Italy’s humiliation. Promises made to Italian soldiers have gone unfilled. socialism is on the rise. However, A rising political movement blames the socialists for italy’s weakness and seeks change.

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Nobody arounds looks like you so You’re going to need a disguise to blend in.

Choose a disguise

Italian Plumber

Russian Tourist

Soldier

Russia and italy were allies during world War 1. You met some Italians while fighting and when the war was over you decided to travel Europe and visit Italy. You know Italy has dabbled in socialism, so your communist beliefs should fit right in.

Play as Russian Tourist

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You arrive in Rome and come upon a group of men wearing black shirts. They look like soldiers so you start to talk to them. “Brothers, it is good to see you again!” They do not agree. They hear your Russian accent and you see their faces quickly twist into anger. They surround you.

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Within seconds the men are raining down fists and clubs on your head. As they do they yell out derogatory comments. They leave you beaten, bloody and with a clear understanding that you, and all foreigners, are not welcome here.

Key: Autocratic government with a strong sense of nationalism. Often blames other groups or nations for their problems.

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Life for the working class has been difficult since the war. A new ideology called Socialism blames it on rich landowners. They argue that workers are the ones who grow food, create products and unclog toilets - not wealthy fat cats. This seems accurate to you. Your boss is a total jerk. He takes advantage of everyone in the office and all doesn’t really seem to do much of any work himself. Maybe this Socialism thing is worth checking out.

Play as Plumber

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The Socialist party and trade unions (of which you are a member as a plumber) call for a labor strike. You will show those capitalist pigs who is truly valuable! They can unclog their own toilets and save their own princesses!

Join the Strike!

The new middle class party, the fascists, do not approve of your strike. In their eyes Your actions will only hurt Italy and they will not stand for that. They violently break up your protest and throw you in jail. You are desynced.

Key: Citizens are seen as employees of the state and party. Questioning authority is unpatriotic and unacceptable.

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You were conscripted (forced) to join the war effort during World War i. The government tried to make it better with promises of fame, glory and free land. The other European countries also made promises to Italy about territory they’d gain after the war too. Respect, power and a little money. This could make for a good disguise.

Play as Soldier

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Unfortunately, few of the promises made to the soldiers (and the country itself) ever came to pass. Italy did not get the promised new territories and the veterans did not get their promised land either. They feel the government has betrayed them and many of the people in Italy feel they’ve been betrayed by the rest of Europe.

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And it gets worse. The economy in Italy is crashing due to extreme inflation due to printing money to pay for the war efforts. And now, about a million soldiers have returned to find a job. There’s now 2 million unemployed people in Italy.

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Things aren’t much better for the rest of the working class in Italy either - The inflation is killing them, war factories have closed- so They start to look to other political parties to put in charge. One of those groups, The socialists, call for a general strike with the goal of increasing worker power. This strike will hurt the common man in the short run as many supplies will not be available. Will you support the strike?

General strike, govt does nothing

Yes

No

You make your way over to the protest but are stopped by a group of young man all dressed in black shirts. Many of them are holding wooden clubs in their hands and they look at you menacingly. One loudly orders you to stop.

Stop

The man says the government may not stop the strikes, but they will. They love their country and will not allow it to be destroyed by socialists like you. You are beaten to the ground as a message to others. You are desynced.

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Even without your support the strikes rage across Italy. They make things even worse. Railroads shut down. Mail isn’t delivered. The strikes are hurting, but they are putting major pressure on the government to change. Riots are spreading across Italy. Revolution seems imminent. The socialists blame the King and government. A new group of nationalists blames the socialists.

Speak against the strikes

Join the strikes, they’re working!

You want to be on the winning side, so you join the strikes. However, the fascists will not tolerate being questioned. They violently put the down strikes and you are caught up in the attacks. You are desynced.

Key: Citizens are seen as employees of the state and party. Questioning authority is unpatriotic and unacceptable.

Try again.

You wisely decide that supporting the protest would mean standing against another new party known as the fascists (The fighting League). They have promised to shut down the strike if the government does not act.

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One of them pulls you aside for a “chat”. You quickly pledge your loyalty by explaining how much you hate the socialists. He says you have the right attitude and should meet il duce. Who ask who that is. He says, the boss, Benito Mussolini.

Meet Mussolini

The fascists are led by a charismatic man named Benito Mussolini. Like you, he was an Italian soldier during the war. He tells you that italy is a great nation, held back by foreign powers and corrupt leaders. He wants to confiscate war profits from wealthy businessmen, impose an 8 hour maximum work day and give women the right to vote. He’s Surprisingly charming when he speaks.

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The fascists believed violence was the way to power. They burned down a socialist newspaper office and threatened anyone with a hint of socialist or communist beliefs. They’ve ordered you to come along to rough up some strikers to prove your loyalty. Will you go along?

Yes, I must follow orders.

No, this would be wrong.

You just can’t accept violence. You resist the orders of the fascists. They do not take that well. This isn’t a democracy. You are banned from the party and exiled from Italy. YOu are desynced.

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You wisely recognize that dissent is not acceptable in fascism. Any who question the party are considered traitors to the nation. Citizens are subjects of the party.

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ITALY IS GREAT! Starring IL DUCE

Soon the fascists are putting out their own propaganda in newspapers and movie theaters. They make new textbooks, take over the radio and put on events like concerts. They had near total control of information and entertainment. Plus, they had spies everywhere waiting to report on anyone who questioned their authority. Oh, and they banned handshakes for some reason…

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Intro mussolini

Mussolini’s arguments against the socialist working class spurs a growing popularity with the middle class. He says, “Italy wants peace and quiet, work and calm. I will give these things with love if possible and with force if necessary.” With their support it ends up being more and more force.

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On october 26, 1922 Mussolini led his Fascists in a March on Rome to display their power. The king was begged to call out the army to stop him. He didn’t out of fear the soldiers would support Mussolini over him anyway. Just 3 days later Mussolini was asked to form a government. He was named ruler of Italy and would hold that position, essentially as dictator until 1945. Fascism was firmly in place.

Attempt to Warp

Choose the 1st key of knowledge to unlock the portal to the next stage. Fascism is most like…

Feudalism

Autocracy

Democracy

Tribal Government

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Choose the 2nd key of knowledge to unlock the portal to the next stage. In fascism, citizens…

Are considered to be servants of the state.

Are free to vote in new leaders.

Are equal with one another.

Are able to question leaders if they do it respectfully.

Enter Portal To next stage

Choose your Government!

Fascism

Autocracy

Anarchy

Feudalism

Democracy

Communism

Time Warp