Account for the Appeal and Development and Appeal of Fascism in Italy Between the Years 1915-1925.

Following the Russian October Revolution of 1917, led by the Bolsheviks, a ripple of social unrest was felt in many other parts of Europe. In Italy, it was hoped by many that involvement and victory in the Great War would lead to a new era of radical change and a movement away from the pre-war Liberal state, which many on the Left and Right had grown frustrated with. After the war however, a period of political instability emerged. Socialists, Liberals and Catholics (Popolari) proved too incompatible for effective coalition. Workers were becoming more and more frustrated with post-war conditions. There was unrest on the land, where in the south the peasants were overtaking huge amounts of land, whilst in the more fertile north; wealthier land-owners were concerned with the growth of socialism. A new wave of Nationalism brought by involvement in the war was to be left frustrated and somewhat humiliated by the Treaty of Versailles. In these radical times, the church also lost appeal. And so the stage was set for a new political movement to emerge. In the years between 1915 and1925, one man was to emerge to consolidate all the disheartened, humiliated and fearful. Circumstances had created the conditions necessary for Fascist Italy to begin; Benito Mussolini was the man who would steer the movement through a dark period of his countries’ history.

In analysing the development and appeal of Fascism in Italy between 1915 and 1925, it is necessary to look at the question in two ways. Firstly, in order to analyse the development of Fascism, we must study the events and circumstances which led to the March on Rome and beyond. Secondly, in analysing the appeal of Fascism, we must consider the mood and mindset of many of the Italian public, and how their politics, fears and attitudes may have contributed growth of Fascism.

Buoyed by the signing of the Treaty of London in 1915, whereby Italy was to gain significant land gains, Italy entered the Great War on the side of the...