How successful was Mussolini in solving the social and economic problems he inherited?
_MUSSOLINI 'S SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC POLICIES_
When Mussolini seized power in1922, Italians had high expectations of him in solving the numerous social and economic problems Italy had. As the new dynamic leader, Mussolini wanted to solve these problems because the success of his policies would lead to his increase of popularity as the _Duce_ and contribute to his consolidation of power. Although his policies brought changes to Italy, they were also one of the causes of the downfall of fascist Italy. Hence, it is difficult to assess Mussolini 's domestic policies in terms of the benefit it created to society as a whole.
One of the key aims in Mussolini 's economic policies was to build Italy 's economy to a level where it could rival the great industrial powers of the world like Britain, France and Germany. At that time, Italy 's economy was backward and relied heavily on the inconsistent agriculture industry. Mussolini wanted to maintain capitalism while still enforcing state intervention to secure his power. He knew that a massive program of industrialization would be needed in order to bring the economy up to the standards of neighboring countries.
In order to secure public support, Mussolini first appointed the economics professor Alberto de Stefani as Treasury Minister. He was very popular amongst the industrialists because he reduced government spending and privatized numerous big industries in order to stimulate the economy. Mussolini 's choice of de Stefani was very successful as it secured his popularity as the _Duce_ and really led the Italian economy into a period of boom with record export numbers especially in the cars and textile industry. However, after 1925, Mussolini gradually steered the economy towards his fascist ideals. With the dismissal of de Stefani and the launch of the Battle for Lira, the boom was slowly coming to an end. Mussolini believed that the lira "is a symbol of our nation…a vibrant country should have a strong, vibrant currency."
When Mussolini seized power in1922, Italians had high expectations of him in solving the numerous social and economic problems Italy had. As the new dynamic leader, Mussolini wanted to solve these problems because the success of his policies would lead to his increase of popularity as the _Duce_ and contribute to his consolidation of power. Although his policies brought changes to Italy, they were also one of the causes of the downfall of fascist Italy. Hence, it is difficult to assess Mussolini 's domestic policies in terms of the benefit it created to society as a whole.
One of the key aims in Mussolini 's economic policies was to build Italy 's economy to a level where it could rival the great industrial powers of the world like Britain, France and Germany. At that time, Italy 's economy was backward and relied heavily on the inconsistent agriculture industry. Mussolini wanted to maintain capitalism while still enforcing state intervention to secure his power. He knew that a massive program of industrialization would be needed in order to bring the economy up to the standards of neighboring countries.
In order to secure public support, Mussolini first appointed the economics professor Alberto de Stefani as Treasury Minister. He was very popular amongst the industrialists because he reduced government spending and privatized numerous big industries in order to stimulate the economy. Mussolini 's choice of de Stefani was very successful as it secured his popularity as the _Duce_ and really led the Italian economy into a period of boom with record export numbers especially in the cars and textile industry. However, after 1925, Mussolini gradually steered the economy towards his fascist ideals. With the dismissal of de Stefani and the launch of the Battle for Lira, the boom was slowly coming to an end. Mussolini believed that the lira "is a symbol of our nation…a vibrant country should have a strong, vibrant currency."
Bibliography: Denis Mack, Smith. "Sleeping Car to Power." Modern History Review (1990) Lee, Stephen Lowe, Norman. Mastering Modern World History. 3rd. New York: Palgrave, 1997. Robson, Mark. Italy: The Rise of Fascism. Third Edition. London: Hodder Education, 2006 Townley, E. Young, Andrew. "Mussolini 's Rise to Power." Modern History Review (2000): 27. � Robson, Mark. Italy: The Rise of Fascism. Third Edition. London: Hodder Education, 2006. � Townley, E.. Mussolini and Italy. Bristol: Heineman, 2002 � Denis Mack, Smith � Young, Andrew. "Mussolini 's Rise to Power." Modern History Review (2000): 27.