Mussolini’s had many talents, which can be considered as one of Mussolini’s sources of power. His journalistic skills, which were on daily display in his newspaper ‘IL Popolo d’Italia’ he was able to gain immense support from the general public through his editorials. One of the aspects which I feel this was the source of all Mussolini’s power. Without the support as well as his violent tactics, to rid of any completion or treat Mussolini was able climb the political ladder to the top.
Mussolini was able to gain high amounts of support from the general public, he was not only able to gain support from the working class, but classing himself as the voice of the common people. This initially enabled Mussolini to gain political power in Italy. He was able to establish this support through propaganda ‘above all Mussolini’s powerful position in the state was buttressed by relentless state propaganda’ By 1930 ‘two-thirds of the daily newspapers outside of the big cities owned by the PNF’
Mussolini finally managed to become prime minister in 1922, he managed to gain this political power from the King Victor Emmanuel, he was able to get parliament to grant him doctoral powers for a year, whereby Mussolini was able to place fascists in key positions in government. In 1923 a new called the ‘Acerbo law’ provide Mussolini with most of the votes in the general election, enabling him to gain two thirds of the seats in the chamber of deputies. Mussolini had made it to the top of the political ladder. However to retain his power Mussolini continued to use his souses of power to inflict his influence. During the election fascist black shits destroyed printing presses of opposition newspapers, even beating up socialists in the streets. Anyone such as Matteotti who spoke in public and blamed Mussolini for the violence was murdered. This I feel contributed considerably in Mussolini source of power as it enables him to keep control even though 2.5million opposed him. However Mussolini kept the king in check as he was the only one able to dismiss him. Mussolini ensured that no army would be used to bring down the monarchy.
I believe the source of Mussolini’s power lied in the discontent of the general public in the government enabling Mussolini to gain support through the use of propaganda and his editorials, however this alone did not contribute to Mussolini’s powers, his support from the black shirts, the state police force, RAS and OVRC enabled Mussolini to retain his dictatorship.
Changes to the electoral system to gain a majority such as the Acrebo Act 1923, the use of violence and intimidation to remove or silence opposition such as Mattieotti.
Adolf Hitler was born in Austria in 1889 his father, a customs officer had died when he was fourteen and his mother when he was eighteen. Hitler had little education and was unemployed. Hitler went on to Vienna where he wanted to study art but was rejected by the Academy of Art and was forced to live in hostels.
Hitler developed an interest in politics and supported nationalist parties; Hitler began to dislike foreigners, and blamed them for his own downfall in Vienna.
Hitler then joined the German army and fought in World War One. During the war Hitler was awarded the ‘Iron cross, First Class – the highest award for a German solider.’ After the war Hitler stayed with the army and was used to spy on other political parties in order for the government to establish which parities were a treat. In 1919 Hitler himself joined the German Workers Party; eventually he became leader of the party which changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers Party or the Nazi Party.
I believe that Hitler’s early establishment with the Nazi Party enabled him to create a foundation, on which was the success of Hitler’s political power. He was able to gain political skills which would only help him in the future. By 1920 Hitler was able to draw up part programs which listed ideas of the party. In 1921 he had set up an army called the, ‘SA troopers (storm troopers, also known as the brown shirts because of their uniforms.’ The SA were formed to ensure that the Nazi party speakers were protected during rallies when they gave their speeches, also to dispose of any of the opposition using violence. It was formed of young men and former members of the ‘Free Corps.’
In 1923 Hyperinflation hit Germany; Hitler was convinced this was the time to push the Nazi party forward and size control.
A very important source of Hitler’s political power is his selection and appointment of key figures within the Nazi Party and the role they played in supporting him, people such as, Herman Goering, Josef Goeblles who controlled propaganda, and Erbest Rohm leader of the SA. These people assisted Hitler in maintaining his political power and position throughout his dictatorship.
A vital source to both Hitler and Mussolini’s power was the immense support from the public in 1930 the Nazi Party won 107 seats in July 1932 increased to 230 seats they remained the largest party in the ‘Reichstag.’ Hitler support grew tremendously as the German people were looking for someone to help the restore their national pride and help re build Germany. Hitler’s growing support was due to the SS and SA eradicating any opposition from the communist or the social democrats“…by 1931 there were over 300, 000 brown shirted SA men available for demonstrations, marches and street fights.” The propaganda campaign ran by Joseph Goebbels, ensured Hitler gave speeches across Germany at all the rallies as well, as supporting the strong image portrayed by the party, also with a poster campaign with strong emotional captions.
In January 1933 “…Hitler had increased his share from 30 percent to 37 percent. He received well over thirteen million votes.”Hitler had gained this support through this use of party support and propaganda. Gobbels created man memorable posters, which included many Nazi slogans such as ‘Hitler Germanys last chance’ ‘one people, one nation’ and ‘Germany awake.’ This can be seen as one of Hitler’s main way of voicing the Nazi message to the people.
Once Hitler had gained political power his main sources of power were the laws which he had emplaced in order to retain his political power. When Hitler was appointed he wanted full control of the Reichstag, therefore he called for an re-election, they were called for March 1933, however due to the Reichstag going up in flames, this enabled Hitler to introduce the emergency decrees to fight terrorism, he blamed communist for starting the fire which resulted in the removal of communist parties and opposition. After gaining more support in the election, on March 23rd 1933, where the Nazi party were able to get 44% of the votes increasing their share of the seats to 288. This increased Hitler’s political power and diminished any opposition, as well as Hitler himself becoming a strong national figure.
Hitler then brought in the Enabling Act which gave him powers of a dictator and the ability to govern for four years without Parliament, with this new political strength Hitler made all other political parties illegal. This is Hitler’s at his finest he has full control of the government and has established himself as a dictator.
I feel both Hitler and Mussolini; have a great number of similarities, which they both share in their sources of power. Both had and needed the support the masses, this enabled them to gain there voices heard, and become politically established. Both had strong ideologies which gave them a drive towards success and achievement and both Hitler and Mussolini used brutal force in order to dispose of any opposition. I think its fair to say both Hitler and Mussolini gained dictatorship, and established themselves as strong nationalist leaders both of whom helped there countries economic struggle.
Italy liberalism and fascism 1870-1945, page46
Mussolini and Italy page155
Mussolini and Italy page 65
Modern world history page 127 Tony Hewitt, Jim McCabe and Alen Mendum
Modern world history page127
Modern world history page 131
The rise of Hitler, page159
Weimar an Weimar and The Rise of Hitler, page 158
Hitler and the Rise of the Nazi Party Frank McDonough page 73