The Growth of Fascism - 'As an advisor to Giolitti, in 1921, to explain the growth and nature of the Fascist movement.'

The Growth of Fascism

Task:

‘As an advisor to Giolitti, in 1921, to explain the growth and nature of the Fascist movement.’

It appears that Fascism has achieved much support from a wide spectrum of groups during its early days. Support came from the middle class (small shopkeepers, artisans and small businessmen.) These groups had become particularly destabilised by industrialisation and war. They felt themselves trapped in a conflict between socialism and capitalism. Fascism has promised an end to Socialism (many in Europe feared the spread of Communism after the success of the Bolsheviks in Russia in 1917) and wished for curbs on the power of big business. Yet some factory owners also support Fascism as they saw it as a defence against the Socialist trade unions during the Biennio Rosso. Professional people, white-collar workers and state employees whose savings and standard of living had been hit by inflation (due to war effort), but who lacked trade unions to protect them, also support the fascists. There is strong support from ex-servicemen, especially ex-officers and N.C.Os who were angered by the socialist’s lack of patriotism and who had difficulty in adjusting to civilian life after the war. Young men particularly students who had experienced war and were very proud of victory of 1918 and wished to protect their country from the left are also in support of Fascism. Finally it appears that Nationalists support Fascism as Mussolini offered to restore Italian pride after the ‘mutilated victory’ of 1919. Fascism was becoming attractive to those who felt the Liberal State no longer protected their interests.