The Rule of Mussolini

This self-contained unit focuses on getting students to define what Fascism actually stands for, and then to test Mussolini's success against these criteria. In addition, students compare Fascism to both Nazism and Communism. In this way they are able to approach examination questions from a very sophisticated angle rather than by merely assessing one area of policy after another. The unit, listed below, makes use of the following interactive features.

Introductory Prezi: Mussolini and Fascist Italy [interactive]
A brief overview of the main themes and the key events. Students should take notes!

Undercover in Fascist Italy [interactive]
A major decision-making simulation, complete with a worksheet, which provides a thorough investigation of Mussolini's domestic policies. In this simulation students play the role of James Spod, an undercover agent. The mission is to find, and then assassinate, Benito Mussolini: the Fascist dictator whose alliance with the evil Adolf Hitler is throwing the world into chaos. Factual knowledge will be tested as students play the simulation and the scores of the whole class can be viewed on a live leaderboard!

Student Resources (The Rule of Mussolini)

> Overview	PDF File	0.81MB	Preview Page 1
> What is Fascism	PDF File	0.22MB	Preview Page 1
> VIDEO-Early Life and Rise to Power (10m)	Video Weblink
> Research Simulation	PDF File	0.19MB	Preview Page 1
> Starter Quiz (Picture Round)	PowerPoint	4.27MB
> VIDEO-Domestic Policies (9m)	Video Weblink
> Factual Test	PDF File	0.03MB	Preview Page 1
> Hwk-Fascism v Nazism-Research	PDF File	0.18MB	Preview Page 1
> Essay Planning-OPTIONAL TASK	PDF File	0.18MB	Preview Page 1
> Essay Planning	PDF File	0.19MB	Preview Page 1
> Useful Sources	PDF File	0.2MB	Preview Page 1
> What is Fascism-Conclusions	PowerPoint	0.08MB
> VIDEO-Fall and Legacy (9m)	Video Weblink

Teacher Resources (The Rule of Mussolini)

> Research-SAMPLE	PDF File	0.52MB	Preview Page 1
> Second Model Research Piece	PDF File	0.49MB	Preview Page 1
> First Model Research Piece	PDF File	1.32MB	Preview Page 1
> Research Task (LONGER ALTERNATIVE)	PDF File	0.2MB	Preview Page 1
> Factual Test	PDF File	0.13MB	Preview Page 1
> Factual Test (alternative)	PDF File	0.2MB	Preview Page 1
> Essay Planning-OPTIONAL	PDF File	0.2MB	Preview Page 1
> Tarr Essay-HOW FASCIST	PDF File	0.22MB	Preview Page 1
> Tarr Essay-HOW SUCCESSFUL	PDF File	0.2MB	Preview Page 1
> Past Questions	PDF File	0.22MB	Preview Page 1

"Who Am I?" Challenge - Mussolini's Italy
Each team will be presented with a clue about a key historical figure. They get 50 points if they guess it correctly. If they wish to 'pass', they get further (easier) clues but the points available steadily decline. An incorrect guess at any point means they get zero points for that round. You can play as many rounds as you wish. It's a great way to revise!

Fling the Teacher Challenge - Mussolini's Italy (45 possible questions)
Another great revision quiz. I give students 10 minutes at the start of the lesson to try to complete the quiz. Anyone completing the quiz within the available time gets a score based on the amount of minutes left on the clock. They can then move on to the first lesson task, whatever that happens to be, whilst the other members of the class continue to play. I build up a 'leaderboard' of scores over the numerous lessons we have during revision time to build up momentum!

Interactive Factual Tests:

Interactive quizzes: Mussolini's Italy [tips]

Manic Miner: Mussolini's Italy	Wordshoot: Mussolini's Italy	CannonBall Fun: Mussolini's Italy	Matching Pairs: Mussolini's Italy

History in the News for The Rule of Mussolini

1. Berlusconi Praises Mussolini Regime on Holocaust Remembrance Day - Bloomberg Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi praised the fascist regime of dictator Benito Mussolini as he attended a ceremony to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day.

History weblinks for The Rule of Mussolini

1. Fascism In Color - Mussolini In Power Documentary covers the rise of Fascism in Italy
2. Mussolini: Italy's Nightmare This documentary reviews the career and personal life of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
3. The Age of Dictatorship: Europe 1918-1989 - Mussolini The first lecture set the scene by analysing the devastating effects of the First World War on Europe, and goes on to focus on Italy, where a recently introduced democratic political system disintegrated, giving way to the Fascist dictatorship of Mussolini in the 1920's.
4. Mussolini's policies towards the Jews
5. Eating Bark: one grows rich in a year but dies in six months
6. Carcano Balilla
7. Counterlight's Peculiars: July 2009
8. History Today - The Foreign Policies of Hitler and Mussolini : Russell Tarr sees similarities but also important contrasts in the foreign policies of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy
9. Fascist Italy (Whittam) - Google Books
10. Mussolini and Italian fascism (Pathfinder History) - Google Books
11. Mussolini and fascist Italy (Blinkhorn) - Google Books
12. Mussolini and the Mafia Mussolini's attempts to control the Mafia
13. Review: Mussolini by Nicholas Farrell | Books | The Guardian
14. Mussolini and Italy - Google Book Search