Explaining the First Fascist State

What were the conditions that led to Italian fascism?

• The legacy of the Risorgimento

• Nationalist hopes and the soldiers experience

• The inter-war years and dictatorship as an alternative

• Failed liberalism and the conservative reaction

• Frustrated nationalism – the ‘mutilated victory’

• A divided Italy the biennio rosso and the conservative reaction

• PR

What was the appeal of Italian fascism?

• It’s policies

• The desire for order

• The cult of personality (Mussolini)

Who supported fascism, and why?

• Groups

• Age

What difficulties did Mussolini have to overcome in order to obtain power?

• The lack of votes

• Reigning in the squadrismo

• Appeasing the elites

What methods were employed to ensure a fascist government?

• Violence

• Negotiation

• Bluff (the March on Rome)

What role did the elites play?

• The failure of the liberal governments

• The acquiescence of elites and others

• The role of the King