was mussolini a totalitarian leader?

The path of Mussolini, to obtain political power was not radical or extreme. As a matter of fact he managed to obtain power in a legal manner. The roots of Fascism came from the foundation of his political movement “’Facsi di Combattimento’’ in 1919, but the movement didn’t have much members (870). The next year military action was taken against Socialist labor leagues, and Mussolini started to prepare fascist campaign. In 1921 he formed the fascist party with 200,000 members. The party had become more popular. By 1922 the government of Italy relied on Fascists to fight the left wing. But Mussolini had thrust for power; he wanted to have formal political authority and because of this he insisted in being named Prime Minister. At a rally the 24 of October of the same year the preparations for Mussolini’s power were made with the support 40,000 others Fascists.

Fascist power increased significantly, until the point where the support of fascists was crucial for the government. Mussolini then worked to achieve fascist majority in parliament and proposes a correct parliament which was accepted without hesitation. This was done to assure political power. He claimed that the implementation of his proposal would work on the long run, so that a stable government could be achieved. Mussolini finally got to have genuine electoral backing and his next step was to remove opposition parties which he achieved in 1924.

The regime of Mussolini had totalitarian characteristics like the ministry of popular culture, which was a way to control propaganda. Under this was the experimental centre of cinematography which was a way to glorify achievements of Fascism. The way education changed under the regime from education to indoctrination has the qualities of a totalitarian state. Books became monopoly of the government and consequently many books were banned. Racism was taught in schools and there were others characteristics like the Fascists school charter. Mussolini also attempted to have control over leisure time with the ‘’opera nazionale dopolavoro’’ , which offered activities ranging from bars and sports to free holidays for children.

Mussolini’s was a totalitarian leader until certain extent. He definitely wanted to have control over the Italian citizens, but it is clear that his means to achieve power, and to use his power, were not as extreme as other regimes in Europe. He managed to have legitimate power but his Fascist ideal was to leave no space for personal value.