Why Mussolini was appointed Prime Minister in 1922? Essay Example

that the fascists were preferred to the socialists because of the violence carried out by the fascists as time went on.The violence of the Fascists was a main factor in Mussolini's appointment as Prime Minister. Mussolini organised private army i.e. the Blackshirts carried out the violent acts. It meant the increasing socialist threat was all but wiped out.

In addition to that, the Socialist strike was also a factor. The anti-general strike organised by the socialists collapsed and the Fascists claimed the credit of breaking the strike. This was crucial as it the public saw that they were the only party who could stop the Socialists and made the Liberals look abject in their inabilities to stop the violence. Mussolini used this to demonstrate the threat of Socialism and this was crucial as the public saw that the fascists were the only party capable of halting the Socialists.

It also made the liberals look abject in their inability to stop the violence.Mussolini's tactical astuteness also played a role. He altered his policies in order to appeal to the other sects of the Italian population in order to build upon the support Fascism received. At first his supporters came from the groups who wished for rebellion in the form of workers, socialists and soldiers. As time went on he changed his policy to include the other groups like the industrialists and the Catholic Church.

This gave him more respectability and support, as well as providing the financial clout needed to run the party. His ability was effectively used in propaganda that promoted Fascists while ridiculing the Liberals and the Socialists.The reports of the exaggerated Fascist advance

heaped more pressure on the former Prime Minister Facta. He was partly responsible for Mussolini's appointment, as he had failed to take a stand against Fascism.

His request for marital law to be enforced by the king was rejected and this proved to be the final straw. Following this Facta resigned heaving more problems on the king.King Victor Emmanuel II also played a role in Mussolini's appointment. He rejected Facta's proposal of martial law after Marshal Diaz suggested that the army wasn't strong enough to fight the Fascists. Like many of the prefects the King overestimated the power of the Fascists. He was concerned that the army and the country may have divided to spark a civil war, as many of his generals sympathised with the Fascists.

He also feared being overthrown and replaced by his cousin (Duke Aosta) who would be seen as more likely to give in to the Fascists. His lack of confidence invariably suggested that he could see no alternatives other than Mussolini.Following Facta's resignation, Mussolini was appointed Prime Minister. However it could have been a different story if the prefects had accurately measured the real potency of the fascists. The King's lack of faith in the army was also another factor and his appointment proved to be fatal error.