Mussolini enhanced the reputation of Italy (and himself!) through the acquisition of Fiume in 1924. The port had long been disputed, and many Italians felt that it belonged to Italy, particularly following the ‘Mutilated Victory’ of the First World War.
In 1926 Mussolini further enhanced his popularity at home and the image of Italy as an imperialistic power through extending Italian influence in the Balkans and declaring Albania as an Italian protectorate.
In the 1930’s Mussolini emphasised the role of the Italian nation as both an important European power and an empire builder through:
Defending Austria against Germany 1934 – Mussolini flexed his military muscles and demonstrated himself to be a ‘guarantor’ of European peace by standing up to the might of the growing German army.
The Stresa Front – Mussolini portrayed Italy as a power as great as Britain and France through joining this alliance system with GB and France against Italy.
In 1935 Mussolini invaded and conquered Abyssinia- demonstrating that Italy was indeed a great imperialistic power.
All of these Foreign policy achievements illustrated to Italians and to other European powers that Italy was an influential power within Europe. They also helped Italians believe that Mussolini was able to recreate the great days of the Roman Empire – through his imperialistic foreign policy aims.
Appeal of domestic Policy
As well as the attraction of Mussolini’s foreign policy many were impressed by Mussolini’s domestic policy, many of which portrayed Mussolini as the emperor of a successful and powerful nation. Furthermore the authoritarianism of the regime attracted international admiration
Propaganda - Mussolini recognised the power in new technologies such as the radio and used this and other forms of propaganda to emphasise the glories of the regime. Quotes such as ‘Italians, you must ensure that the glories of the past are surpassed by the glories of the future’ encouraged people to believe that Italy was a highly successful state. In Fascist Italy symbols of ancient Rome were every where- even in architecture. The propaganda encouraged people to believe that Mussolini was re-establishing order and helping to found a great Italian empire.
Economy – Even Mussolini’s domestic policies were portrayed as great ‘battles’ and then ‘victories’ for the nation. It is true that in some ways Italian economic policy was successful, but any failings were underplayed and successes were emphasised to show the greatness of the regime. This can be seen through:
The Battles for the grain
The Battles for the Marshes
Battle for births
Through his economic, foreign and propaganda policies Mussolini was able to portray Italy as a great nation and increase the prestige of the nation
Mussolini did not improve prestige:
Whilst it is true to say that Mussolini did manage to portray Italy as an important European power in the 1920’s through his actions in the 1930’s he managed to undermine these achievements, particularly in regard to foreign policy. These failures in the 1930’s resulted in subsequent censure from the wider international community.
Abyssinia – Whilst this invasion did show that Italy was in some ways a great European power capable of creating an empire, in other ways this invasion brought the Italian regime negative press. The brutal treatment of African troops and the fact that the Italians had used native soldiers from neighbouring Eritrea to defeat the Abyssinians meant that the war that lasted 7 months (a lot longer than the Italian’s had expected) was portrayed negatively. Mussolini’s critics observed that the ‘Italians had built the roads, whilst the natives had done the fighting’. Any achievements that Mussolini made in terms of his imperialist policy was undermined by the damage that was done to his foreign relations with GB and France by turning his back on the ‘Hoare Laval pact’ ( which in itself made Italy, GB and France look as if they were scheming behind the back of other nations).
Spanish Civil War
Mussolini hoped that through helping to support Fascists in the Spanish Civil war he would gain support both domestically and overseas. Unfortunately this intervention turned out to be very unpopular with the Italian people as it had a distinct impact on the economy and was generally not supported by the masses. Furthermore it highlighted weakness in the Italian military (humiliation at Guadalajara). Finally it pushed GB and France further away from Italy in foreign relations which were a mistake.
Axis with Germany
Mussolini saw himself as a great European negotiator through his oscillating between the great powers of Europe.
Unfortunately through allying himself too closely with Hitler Mussolini destroyed his relations with Britain and France and ruined this reputation. Finally, through agreeing to enter this alliance with Germany /Mussolini was signing Italy up for war in 1939. When he failed to enter the war in 1939 through his policy of ‘non belligerence’ he destroyed any myth that Italy was a great power of Europe.
In terms of domestic policy, many European powers turned against Italy because of aggressive policies, use of the secret police and actions against the Jewish Population
Conclusion
Mussolini did manage to build prestige in the 1920’s and early 1930’s through his domestic and foreign policies. Many European powers began to see Italy as a strong European power and an important ally. Many looked towards the authoritarian nature of the regime, and it’s strong economic policies. Many of these victories were greatly emphasised by Italian propaganda, and references to the great Roman Empire. However, many of these gains were undermined by Mussolini’s foreign policy in the 1930’s. His attempts to oscillate between European powers backfired, leaving him with no choice but to enter Italians into a war in which they wanted no part. This added to the failing of the Italian army in Abyssinia and the Spanish Civil War demonstrated that Italian prestige was very much based on propaganda and myth.