To what extent can the failure of the Fascist Movement to challenge the existing U.K. political system be attributed to poor strategy and leadership?

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Joe Ainsworth

AO1 - To what extent can the failure of the Fascist Movement to challenge the existing political system be attributed to poor strategy and leadership?

Fascist movements in Britain existed since 1923 when The British Fascisti were formed. Oswald Moseley set-up the British Union of Fascists in 1932 and this was the first Fascist movement that had a possibility of challenging the existing political system. However, the failure of Oswald Mosley’s fascist revolution cannot be entirely associated with the flaws of the BUF or its leader, though this did play a part. External factors also played a role ensuring that British Fascism was never really a threat to the government.

When Mosley found the BUF he announced that it was a genuine ‘British’ response to national problems, Mosley’s movement though was clearly influenced by Fascism from abroad. The marches, rallies, speeches and even uniforms mimicked those of Mussolini and Hitler. Mistakenly the Blackshirts were seen as the encompassment of extreme conservatism attracting well respected members, including Lord Rothermere. However, the political system in Britain was strong and would not be undermined by a Fascist movement. Existing political parties catered for many peoples and they denied room for proper political space in which the BUF could become a respectable and creditable party. Labour catered for working classes who were not radicalized enough to be withdrawn from their trade unions and Conservatives appealed to the upper classes. In contrast to this the BUF were a new type of party far from normal political culture with an anti-democratic ideology and authoritarianism alienating potential support. Fascisms inability to challenge the government was because essentially it was ‘foreign’, as historian Benewick put it. Britain also had ‘two safety valves’, firstly the peoples absolute worship was towards the monarchy rather than potentially corrupted politicians, secondly those with extreme views had been distanced from Britain itself and towards its empire where they could control ‘lesser breeds’ without restriction.

BUF propaganda showed them to be a lively and organised movement behind a leader who was incapable of failure or error. In cases this was true, Mosley for example was an extremely powerful and skilful orator and ‘certainly the best speaker in politics’1, he could hold a speech without notes for hours. However, he had a well exposed private life, he was married twice and had a number of affairs, hence being judged untrustworthy by some. As a party there were endless and inconclusive debates, a lack of courage and decision. A number of events in the party highlighted these weaknesses - for example, the basic division existing in the leadership of the BUF. Mosley only attempted to deal with this when the lack of funding forced him to make cuts, illustrating his inefficiency. In the party there were those who favoured a ‘military’ approach which they believed should consist of order, discipline and marches to demonstrate power. The other half were a political faction who were dedicated in the spreading of Fascist propaganda. Despite the message Olympia had given about the public’s hate of violence Mosley concluded in 1937 that he was in favour of the militarists. He believed the ‘militarists’ would attract more members and he slashed funding to the ‘politicals’. Consequently Mosley lost some of the higher and more experienced political members of the movement. Mosley would be ill-judged by the more extremist members of his party and would often be overruled by their ideas, despite this he did nothing about these members.

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Within the first few years of the party being set-up barely any financial regulation existed under deputy leader Forgan. There was theft from Fascist funds which caused a lack of resources. Members paid to be part of the movement and funding drastically decreased as support lessened from the years 1935 onwards as the BUF became recognised for their violence and Racism. High profile members began to withdraw support and funding, the most influential being Lord Rothermere after the events of Olympia. Mosley was also receiving financial aid from abroad. Mussolini gave generous donations to the BUF in attempt to support ...

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