Emergence: Methods used to achieve Mussolini's power Notes

Use of Violence and the Squadristi

1. Mussolini relied heavily on the squadristi, paramilitary groups that attacked socialists, trade unionists, and political opponents.
2. These squads used intimidation, arson, and beatings to destabilise opposition and demonstrate the state’s weakness.
3. Violence helped Mussolini present Fascism as the only force capable of restoring law and order, winning support from conservatives and elites.
4. The failure of the liberal government to stop squadristi attacks made Fascist violence seem unofficially tolerated and even patriotic.
5. In 1921, Fascist violence increased during election campaigns, contributing to Mussolini’s growing national profile and electoral gains.
6. Violence was framed as necessary for defending Italy from the threat of Bolshevism, which helped justify brutal tactics.

Opportunism and Political Alliances

1. Mussolini was a skilled political opportunist who adapted his message to appeal to different audiences, including radicals, nationalists, and conservatives.
2. In 1921, he struck an electoral deal with Giolitti, entering the 1921 elections as part of a broad anti-socialist bloc.
3. Once elected, Mussolini distanced himself from Giolitti and positioned Fascism as a rising independent force.
4. He presented himself as a moderate who could be controlled, which reassured many in the ruling elite.
5. Mussolini received growing support from industrialists, landowners, and the Church, who saw Fascism as a tool to suppress socialism.

Manipulation of Propaganda and Public Image

1. As a former journalist, Mussolini understood how to shape public opinion through controlled messaging and mass appeal.
2. Fascist propaganda portrayed Mussolini as a strong, modern leader who embodied national rebirth and masculine energy.
3. The use of symbols, such as the black shirt and the Roman salute, created a powerful sense of identity and discipline.
4. Speeches and articles framed Mussolini as the only leader who could unify Italy and end political chaos.
5. Mussolini carefully balanced radical rhetoric with patriotic slogans to attract mainstream appeal.

The March on Rome and Myth-Making

1. In October 1922, Mussolini’s Fascists staged the March on Rome, pressuring the King to appoint him prime minister.
2. Though Mussolini travelled by train, not with the marchers, the event was framed as a revolutionary seizure of power.
3. Fascist squads occupied key buildings in northern Italy, while the liberal government hesitated to respond.
4. King Victor Emmanuel III refused to sign martial law, fearing civil war or a rival fascist monarchy, and invited Mussolini to form a government.
5. The March on Rome became a powerful myth of Fascist strength, even though it succeeded largely because of elite indecision and royal compromise.