''Too few politicians were willing to oppose Mussolini.'' How far do you agree that this was the main reason for Mussolini's consolidation of power 1922-1928?
January 15 2005 Anna Carlisle
''Too few politicians were willing to oppose Mussolini.'' How far do you agree that this was the main reason for Mussolini's consolidation of power 1922-1928?
From 1922 to 1928, Mussolini managed to successfully maintain Fascist power because of a combination of different factors. Lack of political opposition was certainly an advantage during this time but it may have not been the main reason why Mussolini was able to sustain control. Other aspects, such as Mussolini's exploitation of the socialist threat, propaganda and perhaps most importantly, the party's relationship with the Catholic Church were probably more significant contributors to the period of Fascism.
Despite this, the fact that there was little political resistance at this time certainly made it easier for Mussolini to gain and keep Facsist power. The lack of oppostion from the King and other prominent politicans such as Giollitti allowed him to pass acts such as the Aceobo law 1924 and eventually the right to issue decrees in early 1926. This lack of opposition combined with the party's strong leadership meant that Mussolini was able to heavily influence politicians. In fact, until 1928, King Victor Emmanuel had the power to chose the Primeminister and therefore had the ability to remove Mussolini from power. Had he excercised his power, Mussolni would not have been able to push parliament to give the fascist party more control. The fact that politicians didn't resist Mussolini was because of his skill as a dictator: using the fascist sqauds to create choas, he was able to convince deputies in parliament that he needed more power in order to control law and order. As early as 1922, leading politicians allowed Mussolini to strengthen the control of the party by establishing the Grand Council of Fascism so he had greater control over policies. More importantly, the King and party deputies were certain that they could control Mussolini and were confident he would give up the power he had once 'normality' was restored. Acts such as the Acebo law, which made it almost impossible to vote the Facists out of power were popular amoung politians as it was seen as the end of the weak Liberal governments. Even after the Matteotti murder in 1924, the King refused to dismiss Mussolini as he was terrified of the threat from the left: the opposition to Facsist rule were simply not strong enough to disagree with Mussolini. He exaggerated the socialist threat to create fear when, in fact, the socialists were divided in their views and lacked strong leadership. The powerful middle classes and politicians therefore were not willing to oppose Mussolini as they feared a left-winged revolution.
''Too few politicians were willing to oppose Mussolini.'' How far do you agree that this was the main reason for Mussolini's consolidation of power 1922-1928?
From 1922 to 1928, Mussolini managed to successfully maintain Fascist power because of a combination of different factors. Lack of political opposition was certainly an advantage during this time but it may have not been the main reason why Mussolini was able to sustain control. Other aspects, such as Mussolini's exploitation of the socialist threat, propaganda and perhaps most importantly, the party's relationship with the Catholic Church were probably more significant contributors to the period of Fascism.
Despite this, the fact that there was little political resistance at this time certainly made it easier for Mussolini to gain and keep Facsist power. The lack of oppostion from the King and other prominent politicans such as Giollitti allowed him to pass acts such as the Aceobo law 1924 and eventually the right to issue decrees in early 1926. This lack of opposition combined with the party's strong leadership meant that Mussolini was able to heavily influence politicians. In fact, until 1928, King Victor Emmanuel had the power to chose the Primeminister and therefore had the ability to remove Mussolini from power. Had he excercised his power, Mussolni would not have been able to push parliament to give the fascist party more control. The fact that politicians didn't resist Mussolini was because of his skill as a dictator: using the fascist sqauds to create choas, he was able to convince deputies in parliament that he needed more power in order to control law and order. As early as 1922, leading politicians allowed Mussolini to strengthen the control of the party by establishing the Grand Council of Fascism so he had greater control over policies. More importantly, the King and party deputies were certain that they could control Mussolini and were confident he would give up the power he had once 'normality' was restored. Acts such as the Acebo law, which made it almost impossible to vote the Facists out of power were popular amoung politians as it was seen as the end of the weak Liberal governments. Even after the Matteotti murder in 1924, the King refused to dismiss Mussolini as he was terrified of the threat from the left: the opposition to Facsist rule were simply not strong enough to disagree with Mussolini. He exaggerated the socialist threat to create fear when, in fact, the socialists were divided in their views and lacked strong leadership. The powerful middle classes and politicians therefore were not willing to oppose Mussolini as they feared a left-winged revolution.
