Mussolini adopted the Roman axe to symbolize his power. Above is
an Italian magazine of the time, entitled Il Fascismo
Scientifico (Scientific Fascism). Fascism is an oppressive
political movement that first developed in Italy after 1919, and
then in various countries in Europe, as a reaction to the
political and social changes brought about by World War I. The
name comes from the Latin word fasces, meaning a bundle of rods
tied around an axe which symbolized authority in ancient Rome. A
lictor from ancient Rome. He walked in front of Roman
magistrates and held a bundle of rods in his hand as a symbol of
power and authority. The term "fascism" was first used in Italy
by the 1922-1924 government led by Benito Mussolini. And the
figure of a bundle of sticks tied around an axe became the
emblem of the first fascist party. After Italy, fascist
governments came to power in Germany from 1933 to 1945, and in
Spain from 1939 to 1975. After World War II, dictatorial regimes
set up in South America and other undevelope