Rise Flashcards
Journalist background
Mussolini’s background as a journalist is an important part of his self promotion and the promotion of Fascism. His understanding of the power of Mass media is also crucial to his uprising.
Use of Propaganda
Abandonment of Socialism
(pre WWI)
In his early career, Mussolini was extremely Socialist, yet, as he accompanied the works of philosophershe steered away from Socialism.
Mussolini started to believe in integral nationalism, and in the idea that the Italians were a superior race.
He started to view war as a way of liberating the Italian people and crushing the inferior Austria-Hungarian race.
After the War, Mussolini further increased his popularity by founding organisations such as:
The Fascist Revolutionary Party (which still possessed many Socialist beliefs) (1915)
The Italian Combat Squad (1919)
Ideology
Appealing to
a wider public
he proposed more radical ideas that explored the people’s fears, and hostilities. These ideas included:
Italy had been stolen of its greatness by plutocratic nations, like Britain and France.
Italy was not able to take its fair share of the world.
Italy had seen a mutilated victory following the end of WWI, especially due to the unjust concessions of the Treaty of Versailles.
Italians were a superior race (as shown by its high birth rate).
The Slavs were an inferior race.
He wished to double the population to 60 million in order to properly militarise Italy as a strong, independent power.
Goal→ To expand Italy throughout the Mediterranean and subjugate non Italian speaking people.
Persuasion
The Mythic Past
Mussolini created the notion of a “mythic past” by establishing connections between modern Italy and the Roman Empire, in which he embraced tradition, and argued that by returning to its roots, Italy’s greatness would be restored. He proposed ideas like:
A return to “true” Italian traditions
Further militarisation so Italy may achieve its goals foreignly and domestically
The abandonment of capitalism, and incorporation of corporatism
Ideology
A strong leader
In order for Italy to achieve all of the goals he had claimed, a single, strong leader should be in power, which he would certify that it would be him.
Ideology
Creating an enemy
Mussolini blamed Britain and France specifically for Italy’s mutilated victory, and used this as a way to power.
Later he blamed the Communist/Socialists for being against Italy and wishing an Communist revolution in the nation.
Persuasion
The National Election
(May 1921)
Mussolini, without a seat in parliament or any government position, managed to be almost as powerful as the government due to his control of the blackshirts.
Hence, PM Giolitti invited him to form a centre-right National Bloc against the left.
Mussolini accepted and won a seat in parliament, but the National Bloc failed to achieve a majority.
Still, he used his new political position to rally the Fascis and ascend through the political system.
Persuasion
Consolidating the fascist
(Squadrismo)
Mussolini gradually consolidated the small fascist groups under the Fascist banner, which were, thus far, the only way of keeping order.
Mussolini’s party’s rallies were growing in support, often seeing tens of thousands in support.
The party membership soared
The party changed its name to the National Fascist Party (PNF).
Violence
The PNF
(1921)
Mussolini changed his Fascist agenda to win power through the political process.
→ some Historians argued that Mussolini cynically followed the money as he adopted a program that sought to defend businesses from trade unions and Socialism.
Mussolini adapted his proposals to attract anyone who could finance his political ascent.
This, however, had adverse effects in Mussolini’s working class support base, as it triggered great growth in the Socialist Trade Unions
Persuasion
March to Rome
(1922)
In 1922, the Italian King Vittorio Emanuel turned to a liberal politician, Luigi Facta, to become PM and form a new government.
Hence, the Fascists voiced their discontent, as they wanted Mussolini to be PM.
Mussolini his viewpoint by criticising democracy and claiming support for the monarchy, as he proposed that Italy could only thrive under an united, strong leadership.
Parallel to this support, however, Mussolini threatened to take the nation by violence,
Hence, on October 28th, 30,000 Fascists marched 150 miles to Rome, spreading panic throughout the nation.
Yet, PM Facta knew that the army could easily suppress the Fascists, yet when he requested permission for the king to stop the Fascists by using the army, the king refused (for unknown reasons).
Facta thought this was outrageous and resigned.
Mussolini joined the Fascists right at the end of the march, and marched into Rome where the king called on Mussolini to become PM.
Persuasion/Force
Securing power
extensive use of the paramilitary groups, which allowed him to become dictator.
Violence
Perspective of the movement being Reactionary
Fascism was a movement brought about by industrialization, democracy, and the post-war era.
Perspective of the movement being Revolutionary
Fascism was a new movement that aimed to transform Italy.
It provided a new ideology besides a new socio-economic system.
