Facist Italy by John Whittam - review

When examining the book ‘Fascist Italy’, one must ask them self what is Fascism?  Whittam explains that “the term Fascism was of course derived from fascio, it simply meant members of this particular group”.   The movement came out of the conditions of World War One and it was the first successful national movement in Europe.  In such a mass movement, the leader tends to be of great importance.  Benito Mussolini was Italy’s longest serving leader from 1922-1943.  Fascism in Italy was a result of chaos after World War One, and Benito was a very daring leader.  The Italians were promised food, land, jobs, and peace during the war and they did not receive any of this.  These three problems; unemployment, lack of political stability and unfair treatment of Italy during the war were key in Mussolini’s period of influence.  Mussolini was able to counteract or create illusions to the problems that the society of Italy faced.  Fascism had no unified ideology and it was not anti-semantic.  Rather, Fascism was anti-capitalist, anti-Marxist, and anti-intellectual.  Fascism was considered a party of action and mass political movement.  Fascism represented action.  The movement was considered revolutionary because it was a complete overthrow of traditional society.  The main emphasis was placed on nationalism; the belief that nations will benefit from acting independently rather than collectively, stressing national rather than international goals.  Italy was never socially unified. The rapid industrializing during World War One couldn’t be sustained afterwards.  Italy notoriously had an unstable government.  The North was industrialized and the South was unemployed.  Italy was economically, socially, and militaristically weak and divided.   As a result, this paved the way for a strong leader with innovative vision to take Italy by the horns.

Moreover, once Benito Mussolini came into power he was asked what is Fascism? He replied by saying “I AM FASCISM”.  Mussolini was born in Romania in 1883.  His father named him after a Mexican revolutionist.  He was a school teacher but very quickly became a socialist writer.  “In 1912 he became editor of Italian Socialist Party (PSI) 1912-1914.  (AVANTE newspaper)”    He was a left wing socialist who did not support the war.  However Benito changed his views and became an interventionist and believed Italy should join the war.  Ideology was not important to Mussolini, but power was.  A force of nationalism was embraced by the country of Italy.  Mussolini was conscripted to war during 1915-1917.  Radicalized by war experiences, he started writing about liberals and peace makers.  Although he did not give up, Mussolini realized he had to do something to agitate and organize men to groups that would attack socialists.  “Those who decided to join Mussolini’s movement during the months following 23 March 1919 became the proud bearers of the title ‘fascists of the first hour’ ”    Benito also formed a military organization called the ‘Black shirts’.  Mussolini said “he’d prefer to use guns and bombs than ballot boxes against opposition”.  Using nationalism as their ideological weapon and military formations to impose their views, they embarked on a determined and forceful course of public agreement.  Benito used violence to win over the people; “Clubs and castor oil played a significant part in the initial phases and helped Mussolini to secure the premiership in 1922”.  Benito would use the means of castor oil due to the fact that it would cause diarrhea and it would be forced down people’s throats if they did not comply.  The Police usually turned either a blind eye or had joined them in the action.  

Furthermore, “with the consolidation of the regime after the mid-1920s social control over a mass society was achieved by an impressive series of innovatory measures”.  Mussolini believed in action, where one ruler should represent the majority.  Competition and survival of the fittest brings out the best in people.  Mussolini also had the view that capital and labour are at odds with each other.  As well he implemented the no opposition policy and no regular elections.  The Italian community was willing to forgive some of those infringements and democratic rights.  Fascism was designed to get rid of work stoppages by bringing people together and unite as one.  Mussolini was able to get Italy to escape some of the major depressions and obtained international support for his methodology.  Mussolini deals with socialism by means of violence.  Terror tactics were more effective than argument and persuasion in dealing with opponents and far less time consuming.  By 1922 he had a quarter of two million members.  Vast majority were young men who were unhappy soldiers.  “Their specific beliefs and aims were less important than their loyal support for the new movement and its leader Benito Mussolini”.    As in all of his speeches prior to the march on Rome in October 1922, Mussolini made it profusely clear that his main endeavor was the seizure of power. “He condemned all political parties and it was only in the autumn of 1921 that he finally decided to allow his movement to become the National Fascist Party (PNF)” .   Italy’s widespread social discontent was aggravated by fears of a  .  There was also dissatisfaction over Italy's insufficient gains from the peace settlement after .  These factors produced a feeling in the air favourable for Mussolini's rise to power.  On , , the fascist party leaders planned a revolution to take place on , consisting of a ‘March on ’ by the fascist armed squads known as the ‘’ and the capture of premeditated locations throughout Italy.  While waiting in  for the outcome of events, Mussolini left the work of organization to his army. Mussolini, now certain of his control over events, was determined to accept nothing less than being in command of the government.  On , Victor Emmanuelle invited Mussolini to become Prime Minister of Italy to form a cabinet.  Fascists came to power as a result of threat of force.  Traveling from Milan by train, Mussolini arrived in Rome where he formed a government on . Approximately 25,000 Blackshirts were transported to the city, where they marched in a ceremonial victorious parade on  31st.  For radical blackshirts the ‘March on Rome’ truly represented the ‘Fascist Revolution’.  The ‘March on Rome’ was not the capture of power that Mussolini later called it, but rather a transfer of power within the structure of the constitution as a result of surrender by the authorities in the face of fascist threats. “The March on Rome was planned not because parliamentary paralysis had become intolerable, but because parliamentary paralysis might come to an end in a union of democratic groups”.  On January 3rd 1923, Italy becomes full fascist state.  Mussolini used the Fascist overthrow with force, yet all it took was threat of force.  It was Mussolini who had triumphed as head of government and ‘Duce of Fascism’, was the supreme coordinator, the ultimate mediator and the dictator of Fascist Italy.

In conclusion, the book review on “Fascist Italy” was an exceptional interpretation of what transpired during the period of Fascism.  It gives the reader an understanding of how and why fascism came to be, and why it lasted as long as it did.  “Fascist Italy” by John Whittam, can be considered an excellent addition to the book collection, because the movement was the first of its kind and one of the most important movements in history.  Whittam vividly explains how one man conquered a whole nation. His writing style is clear, useful and straight to the point.  Whittam’s thought provoking style enlightens the reader and is considered a great resource in the context of other works in the field.  Personally the book “Fascist Italy” has opened my eyes to the hardships that took place a century ago. In addition, it is amazing how one man can bring together and unite a whole country and nation as one.  Lastly, “Fascist Italy” has made me want to examine the mass movement of ‘Fascism’ more exhaustively for further research.

Bibliography

Whittam, John. “Fascist Italy” published by Manchester United press. 1995