Italy (Source): How far could the historian make use of Sources 1 and 2 together to investigate the reasons for Mussolini’s popularity in the years 1925-36?

Introduction

Source 1:

Nature - Speech

Origin - Churchill, Chancellor of the Exchequer

Purpose - Provide a first hand account of why Mussolini may have gained popularity

Source 2:

Nature - Journalistic account

Origin - Ugo Ojetti, Fascist supporter

Purpose - To promote the Fascist regime

Paragraph 1

Mussolini’s charm and charisma

‘I could not help being charmed by Signor Mussolini‘

Even Churchill, now known as a Great War leader, was taken in by Mussolini

1 million PNF members by 1925

M’s charm can be supported by evidence

Suggestion that Mussolini is improving the economy

‘There is a definite and steady improvement’

Facts and figures suggests that, according to the regime themselves, the economy was improving

Tax receipts spent on welfare increase from 6.9% to 20.6% between 1930 and 1936

Suggests that the figures were fabricated

Overall, charm of Mussolini over competence of Mussolini

Paragraph 2

Fascism’s ability to unite a population

‘The chanting begins each time on the far side of the masses of people gathered here’

Demonstrates how all of the qualitative factors of propaganda can draw people to its figurehead

8 million children and teenagers enrolled in the ONB by the late 1930s

Quite possible that the mechanisms of the regime itself draws people in

Mussolini’s understanding of what the people care for

‘With one statement after another, he has filled us with such burning passion’

Demonstrates how Mussolini plays on elements such as nationalism to appeal to the population

Military spending nearly doubled between 1928 and 1935, with 1.5 million soldiers by the late 1930s

Mussolini appealing to the deepest desires of the Italian people (return to glory), it is a subset of charisma though

Paragraph 3

Similarities: Both positive accounts of Mussolini and both refer to his personal charisma

Differences: Source 1 is from an impartial observer whereas Source 2 is from a supporter

Not economic, as 1 suggests, as real wages fell 10% 27-34

More about the pull of BM, speeches from the Palazzo Venezia balcony regularly drew 200,000

Conclusion

Summarise everything