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Mussolini Essay

In: Historical Events

Submitted By milesb96
Words 894
Pages 4
Miles Bernhard
Honors History 11
Mr. Eric Fulmer
18 September 2012
Mussolini’s Way Benito “Il Duce” Mussolini was one of Italy’s most prominent leaders. His political ingenuity ushered Italy into a new decade. The party he formed was a medium many Italians valued; this party was and is still known today as Fascism. The following dissertation will explore the definition of this newly formed party, study his rise to power, and analyze the issues that commenced his fall from it. Europe had just hosted a war on a grand scale, involving countries from every corner of the world. Many of Europe’s imperial superpowers lay in absolute ruins whether it was physically, politically or economically. The Kingdom of Italy was no exception. There was little physical destruction in comparison to France or the United Kingdom, however the empire remained in great debt, and civilians were worried about a communist revolt that would mirror that in Russia. Benito Mussolini, a former journalist turned parliament member capitalized on this situation by instituting a new kind of government called Fascism. Today we interpret fascism as a leftist sort of government. Mussolini defined it as the following: the government is put before anything or anyone; “everything inside the state;” everything encompassed within the nation adopting fascism as its means of rule must abide to the governing entity, in this case, a dictator; “nothing outside the state;” the nation must develop as much as possible and it is the people’s duties to prioritize that advance; every citizen must answer to the government and the government only; finally, “nothing against the state;” nothing being done by the nation is to be questioned; anything spoiling the thoughts of fellow residents may be punished in any way possible, to any extent possible. In synthesis, Fascism is extreme absolutism and nationalism. Mussolini’s explanation wasn’t as explicit however, in fact, this was a very obscure notion. Most of the Italian people bought into it because he emphasized its vast distance from communism, whilst also doing so with democracy (which Italians also weren’t willing to accept because of the effects of it on the rest of post-war Europe). Needless to say, Benito’s ideals stuck, and his popularity particularly in the middle and lower classes enabled him to induct himself into Italian politics under his generated regime. On October 22, 1922 Benito Mussolini and 60,000 of his loyal supporters went to the Italian capital of Rome to demand a place of leadership for Benito within the existing Italian government. Vittorio Emanuele III was Italy’s king at the time and was the person who would later grant Mussolini’s request. Emanuele wasn’t eager to comply with Benito, yet he didn’t unleash the army to halt Mussolini’s advance. Historians speculate that he was intimidated by Mussolini and his thousands of supporters and was likewise unwilling to do anything to jeopardies his place as king. He was also hoping to inaugurate Mussolini into a primarily social-liberalist method of government. This would affect Mussolini’s stance because of his immersion into different ideals, which Emanuele hoped would lead to the denunciation of Mussolini’s future plans by the existing council. Ultimately, Mussolini gained the position as the 27th Prime Minister of Italy. Il Duce promised much and most Italians were eager to commence a new era they thought would be enormously prosperous with additional catholic backing from the Vatican (whom he bribed into siding with); conversely, aside from creating public work programs, slightly increasing job openings, and insuring economic stability in African colonies nothing was done to drastically improve the country like he promised. Italians were left unsatisfied and realized not much would have differed had the existing government taken control of the situation. The first justification of his failure was due to his inability to unanimously convert Italy into fascism. Victor Emmanuel III remained king and his initial “plan” regarding the failure of Mussolini was working to the full extent. Emanuele III retained his uncontestable position as the ruler of Italy, and when noticing the Mussolini’s initial loss of control he ordered his armed forces to retaliate. Mussolini’s chapter of reign was concluded when he was forced to step down from power in 1943. 1945 marked the year that he was caught trying to escape from Italy. He was gruesomely hung for his attempt at creating a totalitarian state as well as allying himself to Hitler and his quest for world domination. Il Duce was an extremely charismatic leader that had the ability to interpret civilians, and tailor the execution of his ideals in order for them to comply with what the public wanted. It may be argued that had he been more explicit with the delivery of the guidelines that made up his definition of fascism, Italians wouldn’t have followed him in the mass that they did. One may even question that had the situation not been as grave as it was, Mussolini wouldn’t have had the track to immerse himself and implement his notions. In spite of this, he attempted to better his country. He attempted to shape ideals that would appeal to the public; his fatal flaw, however, was not doing so completely.

Works Cited: http://rense.com/general37/char.htm http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWmussolini.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benito_Mussolini http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/mussolini_benito.shtml
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