Question

What political promise made Mussolini and his fascist party popular in the 1920's?

A) he promised that he would restore order in the country

B)he declared that Italy would no longer adhere to the treaty of Versailles

C) he promised to expand Italy's power in Africa

D) he pledged to strengthen the position of labor unions in the work force.

Answer 1

I would say his popularity came from his pledge to restore 'order' in the country which was plagued by mass unemployment and strikes by socialists and communists. His blackshirts beat up socialists and communists. Obviously the socialists and communists opposed his rise as did many other working class people. Some of the middle class shopkeepers, doctors, lawyers etc worried about the rise of socialism in the new Soviet Union also supported him.