Mussolini’s Consolidation of Power Between 1922 and 25

919 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Mussolini impact on Italy

Mussolini’s Consolidation of Power Between 1922 and 25

“ It seems that Mussolini from the outset was determined to retain

power in his hand; but he was uncertain of the method to be employed

towards the other political parties and their leaders, towards the

press, and towards parliament”

(F.L. Carsten, an academic historian and specialist on European

Fascism, The Rise of Fascism, (1967)

In 1922 Mussolini had just been appointed Prime Minister after the

fascist march on Rome. However his position as PM was very unstable

there were lots of problems that needed to be overcome in Italy in

order for Mussolini to secure his position of leader. The source

suggests that Mussolini wanted to become a dictator, however he didn’t

pre-plan his methods with regards to other political parties and their

leaders, towards the press, and towards parliament. He was an

opportunist; he made decisions as different circumstances arose. In

this essay I will be looking at whether or not this is a valid

interpretation.

The first thing that agrees with the first part of the interpretation,

that Mussolini wanted to retain power, is his definition of what a

fascist state should be, fascism is based upon there being one

dictator who is strong and powerful.

The Emergency Law of 1922 also agrees with the source. The Emergency

Law gave Mussolini complete control of Parliament for a whole year; he

could pass laws and rule without consulting anyone else. This assured

that he could retain power for at least a year, and it gave him the

power to pass laws that could ensure he stayed in power for longer.

The Emergency Laws also agrees with the second part of the source,

that he was unsure of the methods to employ towards Parliament because

it suggests that he was just eliminating their threat for a year so he

could work out what he actually wanted to do with them, this is

supported by the fact that he passed no laws during this year, the

first law he passed was in 1923.

Show More
Related

  • Take Home DBQ Italian Fascism

    1182 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mussolini’s population policy was a clear effort to exercise his authoritarian control over the people of Italy, regulating the most personal and private details of their lives. In his bid for complete control, he used new laws, propaganda, and sometimes brutal tactics in order for his wishes to be recognized. It is during the 1920’s to the 1940’s that totalitarian control over the state escalated into full dictatorships, with the wills of the people being manipulated into a set of beliefs that would promote the fascist state and “doctrines.”

    Read More

  • Positive Effects Of Benito Mussolini's Reign In Italy

    593 Words  | 2 Pages

    The allied powers promised Italy land in exchange for joining them against the central powers during WWI. But, Italy was mostly ignored during the Treaty of Versailles and received very little land. This can be seen as one of the reasons Mussolini aligned with the Axis powers in WWII. He knew that the allies did not treated Italy fairly so he went against them in the next war. He also began invading countries in Africa such as Ethiopia so that Italy could establish itself as the rightful leading power of the Mediterranean. While the invasion of other countries may seem bad, Mussolini did it to increase the power of his own country. He fought for Italy first, proving himself a true nationalist. Another example of this can be found when Hitler came to power and it became apparent to Mussolini that Austria was threatened. He wanted Italy to have influence in Austria, so he threatened to go to war with Germany in the event of an invasion of

    Read More

  • Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany as Totalitarian Atates

    1289 Words  | 3 Pages

    Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany as Totalitarian Atates A totalitarian state refers to a country in which the central government exercises total control over all aspects of people's life. Main features include an infallible leader, one-party rule, strict party discipline, elitism, planned economy, an official doctrine, absolute obedience of individuals to the State, nationalism and usually an expansionist foreign policy. Up to these criteria, both Fascist Italy (1922-43) and Nazi Germany (1933-45) could be deemed totalitarian states to a large extent.

    Read More

  • 1984 Similarities Between Mussolini And Orwell

    1980 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mussolini was considered one of the first modern dictators and he essentially paved the way for Hitler and others to follow. Italy was still in chaos after World War I and showed no signs of recovery. When Mussolini attempted his rise to power, he did it through the political channels being voted in by the people. However, rather than seeking to improve Italy, “Mussolini's new cause became personal power; he sought to place himself in the position of dictator” (Gale). The way in which Mussolini spoke captivated crowds and made Italy fall in love with him. What Mussolini lacked in height he made up for in public speaking, as one of his critics describes, “Yet by the power of his public speaking, by his gestures and tone of voice, he was capable of inspiring tremendous enthusiasm in the crowds who gathered to hear him” (Gale). Italy felt as if Mussolini’s cult of personality was never going to leave, like it seemed as if Big Brother was never going to

    Read More

  • The Causes of World War II

    663 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mussolini, Benito. “The Political and Social Doctrine of Fascism.” The Human Record . By Alfred J. Andrea and James H. Overfield. Vol. 2. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2011. 2 vols. 399-400.

    Read More

  • Rise Of Fascism And Totalitarianism

    1589 Words  | 4 Pages

    Fascism is defined as, “an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.” Peter Hyland reports that throughout the 1920s and the 1930s, an economic depression was growing and becoming widespread throughout the world. People were losing faith in their democracies and in capitalism. Leaders who gained power supported powerful militarism, nationalism, and initiated the return of an authoritarian rule. J.R. Oppenheimer says that the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe and Russia instigated a “critical step on the path to war.” In 1922, Benito Mussolini held leadership in Italy, promising a proficient and militaristic nationalistic state. During his control as prime minister, he gained a large group of followers, banned the disparagement of government, and used extreme violence against his enemies within the parliament.

    Read More

  • Benito Mussolini

    1420 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benito Mussolini was brought up in one the poorest regions in Northeastern Italy. When he was in school, he always kept to himself and very quiet. He wasn’t a class clown, never cried or rarely laughed. He always sat in the back of the classroom and read a book. He rather do that than play with the other children in his class. He got kicked out his first boarding school. When he was growing up he was surrounded by many political philosophies. There was anarchism, socialism, and others. Both Benito and his father Allesandro had very bad violent tempers.

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Mussolini And Hitler

    1031 Words  | 3 Pages

    Mussolini came into power in 1922 and sought to make Fascism the only party in Italy, because he believed it was superior to all other parties. Both Mussolini and Hitler wanted to create a better economy for their countries, and had big plans to change the way their countries viewed things. Mussolini abolished democracy, and would not listen and shunned any ideas or citizens who opposed his political views. Although the men were quite similar in the ways they set goals for their countries, Hitler was extreme in his plans for future Germany. According to the lecture, Hitler’s plans were to make it known the Germans were the superior race, Jews and Gypsies were subhuman, Hitler promised to take back the land taken from the after the war, and Lebensraum. Both men had their countries became a part of the Axis powers, and along with Japan became Fascist nations. Mussolini’s rise to power came through his influence on the fascists people. According to the lecture it was fascists that marched to Rome in October 1922, and the people demanded that the king put Mussolini in charge of the government. It was through fear that Mussolini gained his power. Hitler on the other hand was

    Read More

  • Politics in Rome

    1305 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ambrose Bierce’s Devil’s Dictionary states that “politics is the conduct of public affairs for private advantage.” This quote’s relevance is shown in numerous instances in Robert Harris’ book “Imperium”, which is narrated by the main character Cicero’s irreplaceable secretary Tiro. This sad yet inevitable truth is showcased throughout this novel by several characters which come and go in the plot of this historical courtroom drama. Several characters did either horrendous acts to the civilians they were representing or either plotted belittling political agendas to try and shape the future of the Roman Empire for centuries to come. These characters to be analyzed include: the former Sicilian governor Gaius Verres, prominent military men such as Pompey the Great and Crassus, along with a young and less powerful Julius Caesar, and the novel’s main character Marcus Cicero, as well as some of the pawns to these great political mind’s chess board. The field of politics attracts some of the greatest minds to ever walk this Earth, and brings these rather wise figures many privileges, but a clean pair of hands is seldom among these luxuries. This tale of private advantage in the public sector begins with the prosecution of Gaius Verres by Marcus Cicero in the extortion courts of Rome during Cicero’s early political days.

    Read More

  • What Is Mussolini's Definition Of Totalitarianism?

    227 Words  | 1 Pages

    The definition of totalitarianism is, the government which is holding total authority and domination over its citizens. Totalitarian governments tries to control all aspects of not only public life but also private life without any time or place exception. There were many examples in the history as totalitarian governments, such as, Hitler’s Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union and Mussolini’s Italy. The famous ideology among these governments was National Socialism. For instance, Nazism which was an ideology that governed by Germany . Another totalitarian ideology was, fascism which was emerged in Italy. Soviet Union’s ideology was Stalinism, although it was not a real ideology, it referred to Stalin’s policies and thoughts. These all ideologies

    Read More

  • Italy in World War II

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    "The manner in which Mussolini and the Fascist Party gained possession of the government was regarded in most foreign circles as an illegal act of violence." (3) As the nation of Italy began to suffer great debts, Mussolini had been summoned by the King to form a government to aid in the economic needs. This marked the birth of the Fascist Party in Italy. In the beginning of his rise to the top, Mussolini was popular amongst his people. His popularity was high, and people began to trust in his judgment and ideas. (4) He was, in essence, saving the people from the turmoil that had ensued the nat...

    Read More

  • Why Did Stalin Tried To Act In Opposition To Capitalism

    664 Words  | 2 Pages

    Intimidation and fraud were Mussolini’s methods for coming to power. For example, he suppressed parties to join the fascist party. However, he also used peace to come to power as well. For example, he didn't use force when he marched to Rome in an effort to get the king to appoint him as Prime Minister.

    Read More

  • The Role of Control and Propaganda in Mussolini’s Reign and Their Importance

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    many years. He saw them to be weak and wanted to be the ruler of a one

    Read More

  • Benito Mussolini Research Paper

    975 Words  | 2 Pages

    The article also explains how only German military intervention preserved him from a military coup in early 1941

    Read More

  • Italian Mafia

    1302 Words  | 3 Pages

    Benito Mussolini was the premier-dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943. He was the founder and leader of Italian Fascism. Mussolini, along with his Facets government, was able to successfully suppress the Mafia during the time of World War II. However, after the war ended in 1945, the Mafia emerged and ruled once again. Over the next thirty years, the Sicilian Mafia was not only able to gain control Sicily, but all of Italy as well.

    Read More

More about Mussolini’s Consolidation of Power Between 1922 and 25

Open Document