In this essay I will be exploring other factors that could be attributable to the rise of Fascism as well as the weakness of the Liberal state including, Italy in the First World War, the weakness of all other political parties and Benito Mussolini. The weakness of the Liberal state is one factor that explains the emergence of Fascism in Italy. A central feature of the Italian Liberal state was the sharp contrast between northern and southern Italy. South of Rome, Italy was poverty stricken and alienated whereas the northern parts of Italy were far more prosperous and affluent. The new state did not satisfy the lower classes in Italy, it accommodated for societies elite, but repressed the masses.
What debt, if any, did German Nazism owe to Italian Fascism? Analyse the similarities and differences between the two regimes. The First World War has resulted in revolutionary movements across the whole of Europe. The unstable situation did not omit Italy and Germany. In both countries the aftermaths of the war led to frustration amongst the society, economic and political crisis and as a result, to revolution.
Italy, like many other countries in the early 1930s, had economic problems. Mussolini's economic policies did not fix the situation. A war might unite the Italian people behind their leader and make them forget their domestic problems. Plus Abyssinia’s resources could be used to benefit the Italian economy. Rome had once led an empire that dominated the world.
Mazzini gave tremendous support to Italian Nationalism and he spent most of his time convincing Italians to support the creation of a democratic, self-governing state of Italy. His complex ideas such as ‘The Brotherhood of people’ meant that he had limited appeal to upper classes, and his radical views also did not appeal to the middle classes and liberals who opposed violence. The revolutions in support for national unity in the years 1848-9 meant that for 18 months the Italian peninsula was in turmoil until the gains won by liberals were reversed and the revolutions that had taken place were suppressed. To a large extent I agree that Mazzini’s limited appeal contributed to slow progress, however I think that there are other over-riding factors such as the influence of the Church and lack of foreign support that would have also contributed. It could be argued that Mazzini’s ideas were the main reason for the slow progress of national unity in Italy in the years 1815-48.
Similarities and differences between fascist Italy and Nazi Germany: The Nazism and the Italian fascism had a common aim of national rebirth or regeneration. The two leaders Mussolini and Hitler who were authoritarian inspired the popular support. The two movements were based on the ideas of their national supremacy and justification of the military conquest. They also had similar enemies of communism and liberalism. The various styles such as the love of parades and the wearing of uniforms were similar in both movements.
Revolutions between 1820-1821, 1831-1832 and 1948-1949 were all ultimately overthrown to some extent by Austrian force. Prince Clement Metternich, the Austrian chancellor, was a passionate opponent of Italian Nationalism. A main catalyst for this was the issue of Austrian pride. The Liberals, Radicals and Nationalists ideas within Italy (that the people has a right to some say in government, fairer distribution of wealth and greater independence) would completely undermine Austrian control over Italy. In the interest of Austria’s security, Metternich was keen to suppress liberal and nationalists movements, and was determined to maintain dominance so that Austria would not appear weak.
Do you consider WWI and WWII to be one war with one single conflict? Many historians would like to think so based on the fact that the two wars were caused by very similar factors and both involved the U.S, Great Britain, Italy and Germany. There are many similar causes that led to WWI and WWII including; imperial rivalries, the alliance system, the arms race, growth of nationalism, balance of power and old territorial disputes. The most significant reasons were the huge economic and military rivalry between Britain and Germany. Imperialism set the stage for both wars.
It is important to recognise what constitutes fascism especially when we consider the similarities and differences that belong to different fascist regimes in Italy, Japan and Germany and how they differ from authoritarian movements in Eastern Europe. “It is still no easy matter to pinpoint fascism precisely” (Laqueur 1976 p. 315) although, all three countries shared certain characteristics with each other before the Second World War began and have contributed to its rise. I would argue the basic principles of fascism are based on absolute power of the state, aggressive dictator rule, fierce nationalism, totalitarian ambition, militarism and arguably, are revolutionary. It can also be said that fascism is anti-socialist, anti-democratic, anti-liberal and anti-parliamentary. In a fascist state there is no power greater than the power of the state.
Separatism contributed positively to Italian unification in some ways, for instance it led to a sense of pride in certain states which led to an increased feeling of resentment towards foreign powers that were occupying, or held power over some states in Italy at the time. This could be seen as one of the main reasons behind the revolts of 1848-49 in which revolts across Italy were started to expel the Austrians from Italy, this was particularly apparent in the revolution in Milan which started as rioting and boycotting of Austrian tobacco imports. Although these rebellions were crushed they were
Some of the key aims of the Vienna Settlement were to restore the ‘legitimate rulers’, to maintain the ‘balance of power’ in Europe and indeed to place Austria in a position of control over Italy. Arguably, the treaty triggered and brought with it many more factors which made Italian Unification less likely. Further to this, another extremely significant factor as to why Italian unification seemed unlikely the direct control and influence that the majority of the Italian States felt from Austria and Metternich. Lombardy and Venetia were controlled directly by Austria from across the border, whereas the Central Duchies all