Evaluate_Mussolini's_Rule_Between_1922_and_1940

Evaluate Mussolini’s rule between 1922 and 1940 Thesis: Much as Mussolini made mistakes that obstructed Italy’s progress, he created the national pride and Identity needed to create a “Great, respected and feared” world power. Roadmap: Through artful propaganda and domestic policy, Mussolini created Italian identity without which industrialisation and imperialism cannot succeed. Compared to Hitler and Stalin, Mussolini was a relatively weak and inefficient world player. As a totalitarian ruler, he failed to achieve nationwide dominance however he succeeded with his initial three goals making him fundamentally successful. Unlike his compatriots he sought to achieve a balance between totalitarian rule and respect for traditional institutions. He also maintained and achieved power through more diplomatic, less violent means and his rule had a longer positive effect, admired by other world leaders. Historian Bosworth describes how there was more continuity in Italian history before and after 1945. Mussolini permanently resolved century old conflict between the Catholic Church and government and strengthened Italy to the point where Imperialism and the international respect it receives became a possibility. Body Paragraph 1: National identity. I Why was this important' a) Harnessed national feeling of disillusionment after Treaty of Versailles to promote Fascist vision, producing a united Italy through “etatism” b) Stalin showed national pride increased dedication to work and progress- Stakhanovites. c) Though M. did not inspire the same results as Stalin, his use of propaganda and motivation resulted in 90 percent of Italians voting to support the regime in 1929. d) Compared to the longevity of his predecessors, this indicates Mussolini’s success in producing a more positive national point of view, and his position in power- through youth groups ect. II Developed Italy as a power how' a) Propaganda/ description of “Battles” results in 100% increase of grain between 1925 and 1939. b) Its growing strength as a state and nation began a public want for empire, mobilizing support for the Duce and conquest –similar to Hitler strengthening Germany to the point of Lebensraum. c) His failure in Ethiopia before WW2- Italy still has a long way to go, however the public interest and unity is now there. III Rule was never as ingrained as Stalin’s or Hitler’s a) Although Mussolini did produce a personality cult, 40% of youth were not involved/ rebellion of clergy. b) Autarky was a mistake- Italian industry suffered which was counterproductive. c) didn’t matter because: The positive elements he put in place outlasted his failed attempts: i) unity with the Church and Italy. ii) Italian mass still loyal in 1939. Body Para 2: Internationally Respected' I: Corporativism and Syndicalism a) Control industry without destroying private enterprise (eg. big companies like Fiat)- a benefit neither Stalin nor Hitler could boast. b) New and interesting however failed/ created bureaucracy. c) Bit off more than he could chew. Until 1925 Italian economy was becoming more and more leftist. Tried to compromise/ experiment with a total change of system resulting in confusion. II: Economic disaster' a) Survived 1929 better than other countries, between 1936 and 1940 industry overtook agriculture for the first time. b) 1929 Lire was a disaster, strangled Italy as an exporter and brought on Recession before the Great Depression c) Autarky successful in creating independence however, best political move, not economic. III: Compared to Stalin/ Hitler- Mussolini far more respected in the treatment of his people, a world player not an adversary. a) Fascist system produced domestic benefits that were examples to compatriots- pensions, health service, benefits. b) Did not use terror, relied more on popular support, even if it did originate from propaganda, this would also explain the greater fluctuations in his rule. c) Only nine people killed in his rule, perhaps because he was inefficient but seen by other powers as much more diplomatic and easy to work with- Churchill quote. Body Para 3: Feared world Player' I “any history of Mussolini’s foreign policy is…a history of propaganda” a) Mussolini’s aim was to end Italy’s backstage role with a new radical vision, propaganda was the perfect tool. b) Hoare Laval Pact shows Britain/ France acknowledged M. as a big a threat as Hitler. c) Much as Mussolini’s foreign policy technically failed (failed conquests and equidistance, Rome-Berlin Axis 1936) he did, for a time, achieve his goal. II Hitler did because he could, Mussolini did to distract. a) Rome Berlin axis, Hitler far more powerful. b) Mussolini needed to pacify the financially struggling population/ stabilize his regime. c) However Knox says- was justifying successful popularity cult/ flexing the new found muscles of Italy.- shown by successful conquests. III Mussolini did not permanently produce a feared world player however, Italy’s influence remained permanently and they were, for a time, feared. a) Italy reached a point where they could pick and choose their alliances- Hitler, wary of their protection of Austria in 1929, Hoare Laval Pact, British and French Appeasement- Italy a threat. b) By 1939 Italy had peaked after expansionist attempts, other major powers decidedly stronger. c) Mussolini was constricted to “achievement of the possible”, the achievements he created were without terror, an achievement in itself, d) Was just inefficient' Historiography: AJP Taylor describes Mussolini as a fraud, this may be the case and his policies were inefficient however the international respect he achieved for himself and Italy are evident in the endorsements he receives from leaders of other international powers, Churchill praises his genius. In a country as immature as Italy was at the time, historian Stephen Lee agrees that Mussolini’s achievements were great, however he was hindered by his surroundings and what was possible considering his country’s infrastructure. Conclusion: Mussolini’s achievements cannot be compared to his compatriots, Stalin and Hitler, as he had different aims and different obstructions. He also achieved his goals through generally humanitarian methods, nine executions occurred under his rule, creating a country that was internationally respected, a feared world player and a strong national identity, the goals he initially set.