The era which proceeded Mussolini’s rise to power was marked by tumultuous post-war grievances and increased economic instability. The years following 1870 was marked by an unstable political system, poverty, a decline in nationalism and Italy’s involvement in the First World War. World War One proved devastating for Italy’s economy and the Italian’s failed to achieve their aims at the Paris Conference- leaving them humiliated on a world stage. There are many factors that enabled Mussolini and the Black Shirts to Rise to Power, which included the political and economic status of Italy following World War One, Mussolini’s personality/characteristics and the use of propaganda and terror. The political and economic disasters that occurred post
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Many saw Mussolini as a highly spirited and political character; he was often depicted as an alpha male, and one of confidence, which was shown through his radical motives. Furthermore, Mussolini’s ability to utilise the Roman Catholic Church also accounted for his rise to power. Mussolini was able to use his close relationship with the Church to win over members of the clergy, therefore coaxing the Pope to convert Italy into a more confessional, secure state . Mussolini’s passion for fascism also enabled him to secure his power over Italy- his extreme work ethic and promotion of fascist views ‘for the Fascist, everything is in the state, and nothing human or spiritual exists” . Goeschel provides the opinion that Mussolini’s personality contributed to his ability to rise to power; providing a basis for dictators such as Hitler, which helped Hitler to ‘enrol the middle classes into his regime’ . However, this isn’t to suggest that Mussolini was able to win over all aspects of society with his personality and sheer will to promote change. Mussolini couldn’t take complete control over Italy, and essentially it was ‘the state who ran Italy- the Church, monarchy and the army all remained major building blocks ’ in Mussolini’s rise to
Many saw Mussolini as a highly spirited and political character; he was often depicted as an alpha male, and one of confidence, which was shown through his radical motives. Furthermore, Mussolini’s ability to utilise the Roman Catholic Church also accounted for his rise to power. Mussolini was able to use his close relationship with the Church to win over members of the clergy, therefore coaxing the Pope to convert Italy into a more confessional, secure state . Mussolini’s passion for fascism also enabled him to secure his power over Italy- his extreme work ethic and promotion of fascist views ‘for the Fascist, everything is in the state, and nothing human or spiritual exists” . Goeschel provides the opinion that Mussolini’s personality contributed to his ability to rise to power; providing a basis for dictators such as Hitler, which helped Hitler to ‘enrol the middle classes into his regime’ . However, this isn’t to suggest that Mussolini was able to win over all aspects of society with his personality and sheer will to promote change. Mussolini couldn’t take complete control over Italy, and essentially it was ‘the state who ran Italy- the Church, monarchy and the army all remained major building blocks ’ in Mussolini’s rise to