Mussolini’s rise to power was more to do with the weakness of his opponents then
the strength of fascism. To what extent do you agree with this statement?
Identifying the key features of the question/ Introduction
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Who are the opponents? Socialists and liberal politicians were the main two
groups however for this essay we will just focus on the socialists.
Introduce the different strengths of fascism: the Ras and the Squads – their use of
violence, their widespread support in both urban and rural areas, Mussolini’s
strong and charismatic personality, their use of newspapers and propaganda.
For the essay we will focus between the dates of 1919 and 1922.
Introduce the weaknesses of the socialists: no strong figurehead leader, the failure
of the general strike and their inability to gain the support of the elites.
Paragraphs
Argument for statement
1.
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The Socialist Disunity
Split in the socialist party between the Maximalists and the Minimalists.
Several different radical groups who are separate from the main socialist party.
The lack of party cooperation.
2. Lack of strong socialist leadership
-No strong figurehead who unites the party
- Mussolini was a strong figurehead for fascism which gave them an advantage over
the socialists.
3.
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Lack of and ineffective socialist strategy
Attacked those who did not cooperate with them which led to a lack of supporters.
These supporters then turned to fascism.
Widespread fear of the socialists which led to a lack of supporters. The fascists
took advantage of this fear.
4. The failure of the general strike
- This was combated by the fascists.
- Actually led to an increase in fascist support as they were seen as being the
protectors.
Counter Argument
5. Effective use of fascist violence
- Burnt down socialist buildings and attacked many socialists.
- Many workers found that they couldn’t get jobs unless they supported fascism.
6.
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Support for fascism by the elites
The elites gave huge financial support.
Agrari enabled the fascists to gain support in rural areas.
The elites helped to increase the number of members which made fascism seem
very strong.
Ex soldiers joined.
7.
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Mussolini’s charismatic personality
Strong figurehead
Charismatic and inspiring
Willing to use violence.
He effectively used the fascist newspaper.
Was very ambitious and power hungry.
Historiography
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D. Mack Smith – Sleeping Car to Power – links to Mussolini’s strong and
charismatic personality.]
M. Clark – Modern Italy 1871-1982 – page 221
“If the reformist socialists had not called a general strike in 1922…”
Conclusion
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It was a combination of the two factors combined.
The weak socialists did definitely affect fascisms rise to power.
In the long term the weakness of the opponents became more important as they
helped the consolidation of power.
How important was the King in Mussolini’s rise to power between 1919–1922?
(Single Factor extent)
1) Essay Title
-The King had ultimate power in Italy, and any major judgement or decision had to go
through him
-However, the King had a very weak personality and could be manipulated very easily, as
he was indecisive as an individual.
-The King called off martial law, doing nothing to stop the Fascist march though it could
be stopped with little force.
2) Introduction
- Main argument is whether the king was the most important thing to Mussolini’s rise to
power
- Short term and long term influences
- The importance of March on Rome
- Up to 1922, the king is relatively useless until he gives Mussolini’s the position as
prime minister
- Talk about your aim for the essay
3) Paragraph 1
- Before 1922, the King had no relation to Mussolini’s rise to power. Mussolini achieved
his power through violence, the elites, the Ras etc.
4) Paragraph 2
- Events on the March on Rome, and how the tables turned for Mussolini
5) Paragraph 3
- The Kings involvement in the March on Rome and his effect. We have to agree in this
paragraph that the title questions is correct
6) Paragraph 4
- However we should also mention other people and factors that helped Mussolini rise to
power such as the prime ministers, the influence the king’s mother and cousin had on him
and the Ras manipulating the king and making him scared.
7) Conclusion
- Discuss the factors mentioned above.
-Whether you agree or disagree
-Conclude with your own judgement.
Analyze the methods used by Mussolini in his successful bid for power from 1919 –
1922.
Paragraph 1
Introduction –
Context: giving brief overview of Mussolini’s rise to power.
Identification that Mussolini’s use of “illusion of power” was the key method to his
success.
Paragraph 2
Give background in which Mussolini was invited to form government:
1. Division between Fascist radicals and moderates
2. Fascist movement’s shift to the right
3. Mussolini agreed to March on Rome or face possible division of PNF
Paragraph 3
Explain how shift to right and successes of Fascist violence helped create “Illusion of
power”
Paragraph 4
Illustrate the situation of the March on Rome and how the illusion of power contributed
to its success
Emphasis on threat of violence
Extend point – Mussolini’s rejection of Salandra’s offer to form a coalition government
Paragraph 5
Conclusion
Concluding that the illusion of power was key method in Mussolini’s successful bid of
power.
Essay title: How important was ideology in the rise to power of Mussolini between
1991-1922?
~ dates: 1919-1922
~his ideology: no clear ideology in 1919 – Fascio di Combattimento 1922
Wanted to gain power and fight socialism
Demanded total leadership
Introduction:
~ Define his ideology,
~ Two ideologies; socialism & fascism. Explain the threat of socialism to certain groups.
Paragraph by paragraph breakdown
1‐ Describe
and
explain
shift
to
the
right
Identify
different
groups
which
gave
support
to
Fascism.

H.Kedward
“
…its
strength
lay
in
the
willingness
and
enthusiasm
with
which
large
numbers
of
ordinary
people
welcomed
its
ideals,
believed
in
its
claims
and
endorsed
its
methods”
2‐ other
factors
which
contributed
to
Mussolini’s
rise
to
power
Long
term
effects
from
WWI;
mutilated
victory
Break
down
of
economy;
hyperinflation
Weak
government;
Fiume
&
D’Annunzio
Fascism
the
only
alternative
to
socialism
Conclusion
~ Important to a CERTAIN EXTENT – ras and squad; belief in authoritarian rule
~however, there were other factors, e.g. effects from WWI
“Fascism’s rise to power in Italy resulted from the
consequences of the First World War. To what
extent do you agree with this statement?”
Introduction:
 !919- Fascism was merely a collection of 100 men united in the desire for change
 1921- Political party with roots in the Italian government backed by a large
support base spread throughout all levels of society.
 Although the first world war was key to this fascist growth, in the long term, other
factors must be considered
 WW1 divided Italy economically socially and politically
 WW1 sparked a more radical mindset
 WW1 weakened other political parties and governing bodies while
simultaneously raising peoples expectations of them.
 Question doesn't state whether it is the immediate explicit short term effects of the
war or the knock on effects and interweaving additional causes.
1- War caused failure of the current government and weakening of other opposing
political parties, while at the same time raising others expectations of them.
P. Morgan- pg 25
2- war a mutilated victory
- desire for change, discipline and control (offered by radical fascism)
- upsurge in nationalism
3- Returning soldiers a support base on which it is essential for the growth of any
party
- radical midset
- used to suppressive control and discipline
- felt hurt/humiliated after war defeat( angry towards current government)
4- Generates new ambitions and fears
- weakens socialists
- people more likely to support new and different party
- war mindset
5- increased divisions in Italy(societal, economic etc)
e.g. inflation, increased unemployment
-mussolini himself and the fascist movement as a whole represented discipline in this
time of chaos
6- Consider of factors such as opponent, power of the ras and squads, role of king and
failure of other political parties, mussolini’s personality
Conclusion:
On the one hand fascisms growth from isolated movement to political party was largely
due to the immediate short term effects of the war.
In the beginning ww1 provided the initial grounding and ability to be recognized and
grow (e.g. support base gained from returning soldiers.) However it did not directly cause
Mussolini’s rise to power. Also consider longer knock on effects and additional
interweaving factors. Could say that no one factor can be isolated as the single major
cause of fascist growth. Combination of interweaving factors formulated as a direct result
of ww1.
Personality and Circumstance
Introduction
• State that it was a combination of personality and circumstance
• State whether you think fascism could have been as successful with the absence of either
circumstance or personality.
• Not only Mussolini’s personality to take into consideration.
• Personalities to consider
> Mussolini- his charismatic personality was able to influence the masses
>King- Cowardly and disillusioned about leadership, easily susceptible to Mussolini’s charms.
> Personality of the ras as a whole- violent and threatening, people were scared of them.
• Circumstances
> Post- War economic strife, Italy was in need of a strong leader.
> Threat of Socialism
> Shift to the right, Fascism was more respectable/ appealing
> Revolving door politics
Paragraph by Paragraph Breakdown
Paragraph 1
• Mussolini
> Very strong and charismatic and power hungry
> Allowed the Fascist party to be flexible in their aims
> Used the threat of violence to gain power
> Aimed to achieve total power so did rejected offers to be a minister because he wanted to be
prime minister. He was a strong figurehead
Paragraph 2
• King
> Lacked confidence and was pessimistic
> Easily manipulated by Mussolini
> King changed his mind about Martial Law, this gave Fascism unlimited power
> Scared of the ras
> Influenced not only by Mussolini but by Queen Mother Margherita who was pro-Fascism.
Paragraph 3
• Post- War economic strife
> Economic turmoil, Italy needed a way out. Mussolini provided this.
> sense of mutilated victory
Paragraph 4
• Revolving Door Politics
> People wanted a leader who would instil change, by them becoming a political party they
were more respectable
> No strong figurehead
Paragraph 5
• Socialist Threat
> Failure of the general strike- Fascism proved itself to be a sturdy option
> Disunited, socialism vs. revolution
Conclusion
What did you think the most important factor was?
Mussolini’s personality as the most important but also talk about how other personalities helped
him achieve power
• Most important circumstance, how combined with Mussolini’s personality made Fascism such a
huge success.
Historiography
M. Blinkhorn (circumstance and Mussolini), G. Carocci (king
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