AS History₇₀₄₁

This option provides for the study in depth of a period of Italian history during which democracy gave way to Fascism. It requires an exploration of concepts such as liberalism, extremism, Fascism and authority. It also encourages students to reflect on the reasons for political change, the interaction of economic and governmental developments and the factors which promote and sustain dictatorship.

The Crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926

The Crisis of Liberal Italy, c1900–1915

• The political, economic and social condition of Italy c1900: the legacy of unification; divisions between North and South; the conflict between Church and State; class divisions
• The political system and Giolittianism: the role of the monarchy; the dominance of government by the liberal oligarchy; anticlericalism; the role of Giolitti
• Challenges to the ruling elites: industrialisation and social change; the rise of socialism and new political movements
• Italian foreign policies: the Triple Alliance; colonial ambitions in Abyssinia and Libya; Italy’s decision to enter the war in 1915

The collapse of Liberal Italy and Mussolini’s Rise to Power, 1915–1922

• Italy’s war effort: aims and expectations; military campaigns; Caporetto; the impact of war and defeat on the Home Front
• Italy and the ‘Mutilated Victory’: reactions within Italy to the post-war peace settlement and treaties; the seizure of Fiume by d’Annunzio
• The post-war economic crisis and social unrest: unemployment and inflation; government instability; the rise of the PSI; the Popolari and the Fascist Party
• Political breakdown and the rise of extremism: strikes; political violence and the collapse of parliamentary government

Mussolini and the establishment of Fascist Italy, 1922–1926

• The appointment of Mussolini as prime minister: Mussolini’s tactics and the March on Rome; the role of the King; compromises by the ruling elites
• The Fascist movement: the ideology of Fascist revolution; the different political factions within the Fascist Party; Fascist propaganda; Mussolini as leader
• Mussolini’s consolidation of power: compromises with the elites; the use of terror and violence; constitutional change and moves towards a one-party state; exploitation of the popularity of Fascist economic and foreign policy successes
• The Fascist state by 1926: the extent of Mussolini’s political control; the extent of popular support for Mussolini’s regime; the extent of opposition and dissent