The Rise of Fascism in Italy

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, to many people, Fascism after the Great War, offered an alternative to a narrowly based and discredited government on the one hand and, on the other, the upheaval of a socialist revolution. It looks at how the backbone of Fascism was the lower middle class and how this normally moderate and conservative sector of society had been destabilized by the process of industrialization and by the economic difficulties caused by the war. It discusses how this sector saw the Fascist movement as the long sought instrument of bourgeois resurgence, since it promised an end to industrial disruption and revolutionary socialism.

From the Paper:

"Superficially, it may seem surprising that Fascism established itself so firmly in Italy, a state apparently founded until 1920 on liberal parliamentary principles and a modern constitutional monarchy. However, the liberal state confronted severe turmoil. The strict constitution applied, limited the electorate in 1870 to 2.2% of the population, therefore leaving the monarchic leaders with extensive powers. Similarly, Italy was Europe's youngest state by 1870, and its Risorgimento which was concerned with the consolidation and expansion of the Italian state, was only completed by that year with the occupation of Rome. However, public opinion was divided, there were idealists who aimed for a radical state directed by popular control, others wanted the creation of a United Italian state or the leadership of a conservative monarchy."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Blinkhorn Martin. Mussolini and Fascist Italy. Routledge, New York, 1997.
• Catterall Peter, Vinen Richard. Europe 1914 - 1945. Heinemann, London, 1994.
• De Grand Alexander J. Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany - The 'Fascist Style of Rule'. Routledge, New York, 1997.
• Lee Stephen J. The European Dictatorships 1918-1945. Routledge, London, 1996.
• Lowe Norman. Mastering Modern World History. Macmillan, London, 1997.

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