The most important reason for Mussolini being made Prime Minister was the actions of the King. To what extent do you agree with this statement?

However, a popular argument to this is that it was actually the First World War that led to the rise of Mussolini. The war had been seen as a mutilated victory by the Italian population due to Italy, despite victorious in battle, being unable to gain most of the land they had been promised in the London Treaty in 1915. Those soldiers who returned home consequently not only believed that their expectations had not been met, but also felt as though they had fought for no real purpose. Many of these war veterans, known as arditi became supporters of the Fascists as they were disillusioned with the dire political and economic state to which they found their country in upon return, namely inflation. Yet, it was not only the arditi who felt this way, a large percentage of the Italian population also felt as though they had been betrayed by the government, not only due to the mutilated victory but also because of the disastrous political and economic situation which was the outcome of war. Consequently, the Fascists, who opposed the present government and promised change to Italy politically, economically and socially, gained support from much of the Italian people. Therefore it could be argued that this was the main reason for Mussolini becoming Prime Minister in 1923, and not a result of the king.

The fear of socialism amongst Itlalians was a further reason behind Mussolini taking the role of Prime Minister in 1923. Many Italians from the elite and the upper Middle Classes were wary of a socialist revolution occurring in Italy, especially as they had just seen it take place in Russia, and were worried about the possible consequences of this, namely the loss of land and wealth. In 1920 the Bianno Rosso showed the Italian population that this fear could become a reality, especially as there was clear growing support for the socialists and socialist success in the south, and many Italians were afraid that a revolution was in the not to distant future. A significant consequence of this was that there was increased support for the Fascists among the social elite and the upper Middle Classes.

However, I believe the reason as to why Benito Mussolini became the Italian Prime Minister was due to the actions of the Fascists. Fascist violence was a major factor in the rise of Mussolini as these led to the demise of the socialist opposition as they were often afraid and were intimidated by the Fascist squads, squadristi, who would attack those associated with the socialists and anyone who opposed Fascists. The significance of Fascist violence is illustrated by the fact that between 1920 and 1922 the squadristi murdered over 2000 socialists and anti-fascists. However, it could be argued that when local authorities did actually resist and stand up to the fascist squads they were mostly effective in defeating them, and therefore fascist violence was not as significant as it may seem in the reason behind the rise of Mussolini to power in 1923. Additionally, the Fascist Party (he PNF), making themselves more legitimate as a politically party was also major reason behind Mussolini being appointed Prime Minister, as was the revision of Fascist policies that distanced themselves from the socialists  as they were consequently able to attain greater popularity amongst the Italian people and widen their appeal. Although the fear of socialism and post war sentiment, as well as the action of the King all played a part in Mussolini’s rise to power in 1923.