Benito Mussolini came to power by capturing Rome and getting the parliament to give him power voluntarily. During the first years of his leadership, he was engaged in eliminating the opposition throughout the country. The old morality was declared a bourgeois relic, and the new one consisted of the complete subordination of the interests of the individual to the fascist state. Thus, the Mussolini regime was established in Italy, bringing many contradictions to the country’s history.
Legitimate Methods for Retaining Power
Among the methods of legitimate power that Mussolini resorted to during his reign was the introduction of many new laws. They were called the Emergency Laws of 1926 and were a series of legal acts issued by the fascist government of Italy in November 1926 (Barocci 154). This was one of the most critical stages in the complete formation and legalization of the fascist dictatorship in Italy. The assassination attempt on Mussolini in Bologna was used as a pretext for issuing laws. Under these laws, all anti-fascist parties and organizations were dissolved, and opposition newspapers were closed; opposition representatives in parliament were stripped of their deputy titles. Passports for traveling abroad were declared invalid, political emigrants were deprived of citizenship, and their property was subject to confiscation. The death penalty was introduced for activities directed against state power and for incitement to civil war. Along with this, a new measure for political crimes was established, such as exile and forced settlements, to which they were sent without trial. A Special Tribunal for the Protection of the Security of the State was created, which considered cases related to anti-fascist activities. He acted based on military laws, and his sentences were not subject to appeal. All these laws are anti-democratic and criminal, but at that time in Italy, the official law was what the authorities would prescribe. From the point of view of a citizen who had no choice left, the law is an absolute rule that must be followed. Mussolini understood that the people would not be satisfied with threats and suppression alone. He began a period of restoration of economic and social life in the country. To reduce unemployment, he oversaw the construction of more than 5,000 farms and five agricultural towns (Bonfante 6). In this regard, the Pontic marshes were drained and occupied. The reclamation program freed up large areas of arable land for the peasants, where the poorest peasants received land. Hospitals were built in large numbers, and the Sicilian mafia was eradicated.
Application of the Force
The forceful ways Mussolini held power in Italy did not occur alone but were the consequences of earlier laws. However, even before that, the very coming of Mussolini to power can be regarded as holding it by force because it was not a legitimate election but a violent seizure. Thus, the Nazis used violence even before they came to power. The same people, formed into special detachments, were engaged in keeping order and looking for unscrupulous citizens. Mostly, these were those who held a different political opinion. Accordingly, every means was applied to them to make them disappear. Mussolini’s police detachments showed extreme cruelty toward people during arrests and interrogations. Their attitude bordered on torture and murder, so this method cannot be called legal. The use of force by the Mussolini regime was not only for political reasons. Anything could be the reason for arrest and interrogation; therefore, people constantly lived in fear of the regime. Intimidation of the population was one of Mussolini’s main tools to maintain power in the country, and this method worked.
Charismatic Leadership
In radical totalitarian movements such as fascism, the charismatic leader must be the indispensable figure who exemplifies the entire regime. The oppressed people should be able to focus on a ruler they will trust or fear. Mussolini entirely fits the parameters of a charismatic leader. This image was formed due to certain gestures that the Duce made. The association among the leader’s people with specific actions after fixing a charismatic image occurs gradually. In Italy, Mussolini made many public speeches addressing the people, strengthening his position each time. The approval of his special status in the eyes of the people may be a consequence of the fact that Mussolini was the founder of the fascist movement in Italy, which came to power by force. Accordingly, the person at the head of this group embodies reliability, strength, and charisma.
Dissemination of Propaganda
In any totalitarian regime, propaganda is one of the main guarantors of the dictator’s power preservation. Fascist Italy was no exception because a considerable measure essentially ensured the ruling party’s influence due to the dissemination of correct information among the people. The people’s minds were highly eager for the regime, and Mussolini understood that he needed to win over the people to his side (Brooman 26). To do this, a large-scale campaign was launched in the country, which was supposed to ensure the subordination of the people and their conversion to fascist ideology. Acquaintance with the regime’s ideology for Italians began in elementary school and would continue throughout life.
Conclusion
Events of various natures and consequences marked the power of Benito Mussolini in Italy. Mussolini ensured the retention of power through various tools such as force, charisma, laws, and propaganda. This helped the fascist regime endure for many years and ensure its stability. Mussolini managed to achieve minor economic successes by creating a solid agrarian complex. This further reinforced his image in the eyes of citizens. In addition, he had multiple power structures and personal charisma.
Works Cited
Barocci, Antonio. “A geography of repression: The first years of the fascist special tribunal in Italy, 1926–1928.” Journal of Historical Geography 78 (2022): 149-159. Web.
Bonfante, Francesca. “Spatialized corporatism between town and countryside.” SHS Web of Conferences. Vol. 63. EDP Sciences, 2019. Web.
Brooman, Josh. Italy & Mussolini: Italy 1900-45. Longman, 1985.