Giovanni Giolitti was an Italian statesman. He was the Prime Minister of Italy five times between 1892 and 1921. He is the second-longest serving Prime Minister in Italian history, after Benito Mussolini. He was a prominent leader of the Historical Left and the Liberal Union.

‘The appeal of fascism was the main reason for Mussolini becoming Prime Minister in 1922.’ How far do you agree? [30]

It could be argued that it was only one factor among-st many. The appeal of fascism certainly played a part. What elements that could be identified did raise hopes that it would end the political instability and provide solutions to the many social, economic and political problems that Italy faced. Mussolini was particularly skillful in trying to get this message over, while at the same time not being too specific in terms of policies. The long-term weakness of the Italian state was vital to the rise. There seemed to be endless short-term coalitions which seemed to collapse after regular infighting. The electoral system, while not causing instability, proved to be good at reflecting it and none of the war or post-war leaders offered much in the way of leadership. Democracy was a recent growth in Italy and there were still too many reluctant to accept its implications. There were also too many forces which did not respect the state as it stood, and worked happily to undermine it.

he war proved to be a major factor in Mussolini’s rise, not only the humiliation of the early defeats but also the feeling that Italy had been betrayed by its leadership at Versailles and had failed to get its just deserts. There was also huge economic and social dislocation to add to the humiliation. Major conservative interests, ranging from the King to the Church, were hostile to the state and willing to support him for their own ends, while Liberals such as Giolitti were prepared to work with Mussolini in order to block the socialists.

He could be a useful vehicle for other men’s plans. Mistakes by the liberals must be seen as a major factor. The Left saw the real danger too late, and could not, of course, ally with the centre to block him. Fascist supporters in the localities, often under little or no control from the centre, played their part, particularly in making Mussolini seen as a bastion of order against the left. His own abilities need stressing. He was an adroit politician, a fine mob orator, good at exploiting the violence of others, highly flexible in terms of ideology and policy; he kept his nerve in the final critical days.