To what extent was Mussolini's success the result of liberal weakness? Flashcards
What debate has there been since the 1930s?
One around the rise of fascism
What are some of the main ideas behind why fascism was able to rise?
- The weakness and decisions of the liberal government and politicians
- The socialists
- Mussolini’s political skill
- The genuine support fascism could command by October 1922
What is Renzo De Felice’s opinion about fascism?
He sees it as something of an aberration, an unfortunate episode separating liberal Italy from the democratic Italy of post 1945
Why does his opinion hold alot of weight?
Because he is the most prominent Italian historian on the period
What did liberal historian Benedetto Croce say about fascism when writing in the 1930s and 40s?
He was one of the first to describe fascism as a ‘momentary contagion’
What is a liberal historian?
One who sympathises with the liberal regime, arguing that Italy, prior to fascism, was maturing into a stable parliamentary democracy
What did they see the liberal regime as representing?
Progress and freedom
What Croce think was the cause of fascism?
It had nothing to do with the failings of the liberal regime, but was a result of the shock of WWI and the Russian Revolution, with their dire economic and social consequences
What did those on the left view Croce’s and liberal views as?
Sentimental nonsense
What was fascism the result of for them?
The utter failure of the new Italian state
Explain the flaws of the new Italian state
The liberal regime had been foisted upon the Italian people, who made no attempt to represent or involve the masses in political life, and far from upholding political liberties, willingly employed repression against popular protest. Politics was the preserve of a wealthy elite dedicated to personal power and financial gain rather than the public good
What was the consensus on the left about the post WWI liberal regime?
That the war had accentuated these problems and the liberal regime was too unstable to carry on
Give a historian who was particularly critical of the liberal regime
Antionio Gramsci, a liberal historian writing in the 1930s
What does on of M’s most recent biographers say about this view?
He rejects the Marxist view pointing towards the idea that fascism had genuine mass appeal
Who was this biographer?
Nicholas Farrell
How does he back up this claim?
In Oct 1922 membership stood at 300,000 and a year later at 783,000. He says that Mussolini promised the best chance at resurrection following a difficult period
What has been the reaction to this claim amongst historians?
The suggestion that fascism had mass support prior to Oct 1922 is highly controversial and several historians have emphasised other reasons for fascist success
What does leading US historian Alexander De Grand argue?
That WWI worsened class conflict and that fascism grew out of the reaction to the rapid rise of socialism
What did he think happened after the socialists became the largest party in the chamber after 1919?
The rich and middle classes were terrified
What was the consequence of the fact that the liberals had little answer to socialist strikes and land seizures?
Italian conservatives began to look for a more dynamic response that would restore law and order and protect their interests
What form did this response take?
Anti socialist fascist violence in the towns and countrysides of northern and central Italy
Why does De Grand stress the importance of these violent fascist squads?
Because he thought that they were important in generating new recruits for fascism and in establishing the credibility of the movement
Who is the most prominent British writer on modern Italian history?
Dennis Mack Smith
Where does he agree with De Grand?
He recognises the importance of the violent squadrismo