Mussolini-The Rise of Fascism
Benito Mussolini was an active supporter of WWI and had a sense of strong nationalistic pride in Italy. Following WWI, Italy was amidst much chaos and abrupt living. The people of Italy were intensely dissatisfied with their efforts in the war as well as their outcomes of the Treaty of Versailles. There was no order in the government and the economy was in a crisis. Mussolini believed that their socialist society in Italy was failing and must be changed. In 1919 Mussolini started to take action in his beliefs. He joined a 200-member committee called the Italian Combat Squad, and this is where fascism would be created and spread. Fascism was able to gain an active following from the start because it supported the belief that all classes were equal and class conflict should at all costs, be avoided. It strongly promoted nationalistic views for Italy as a united nation, opposed democracy and believed in a strong military. People enjoyed the feelings of nationalism, as they too wanted to be part of a strong nation. It was also easy for fascism to gain a following in its early stages because individuals were suffering and were open to any ideas that would change their life for the better. A group called The Blackshirts helped Mussolini and fascism gain support. The Blackshirts targeted the non-supporters of Mussolini and put into effort all they could to achieve more followers. Mussolini also used propaganda and great speeches to uplift the minds of individuals and sway their views of fascism. In 1922, the Blackshirts began a march on Rome to gain authority even though the Prime Minister of Rome was trying to disband the Blackshirts. The Prime Minister, and King Victor Emmanuelle, as well as many others, feared a civil war and saw this march as a threat to war. King Victor Emmanuelle was very overtaken and saw no other choice except to offer the government to Mussolini and the Blackshirts. Mussolini gladly accepted his position and soon ruled Italy as a fascist state. Being a fascist state meant that it also was totalitarian which many people disapproved of. However, this totalitarian policy helped to establish order in Italy and individuals were much happier than they were following WWI. The use of fascism improved many branched of Italian affairs, such as the cultivation of more lands, more efficient irrigations systems, increase in corn production, railway and travel improvement, and creation of more jobs. This targeted the working class and from these improvements, Mussolini was able to gain a larger working class following. This also greatly improved Italy’s economic strength and many people as well as Mussolini were pleased with the outcomes of the Fascist government.
Mussolini was a strong willed individual that strived to achieve great power. He established a new kind of government that was and still is used to a wide extent throughout the world.
Mussolini was a strong willed individual that strived to achieve great power. He established a new kind of government that was and still is used to a wide extent throughout the world.