Evaluate the importance of economic and political problems in allowing Mussolini to gain power in Italy in 1922.

Candidates are required to appraise the relative importance of economic and political weakness in undermining the Liberal state in Italy and their contribution to Mussolini’s appointment as prime minister in October 1922. Other factors such as fear of revolution (Biennio Rossi) or Italian nationalism (the mutilated victory) may be considered to provide context for the evaluation of the importance of economic and political problems. There may be some imbalance in the treatment of economic factors (unemployment and post-war recession) and political factors (transformismo, leading to weak government). Candidates may argue that it was the underlying weakness of political institutions, combined with post-war problems, that weakened the Liberal state. Others may argue that it was Mussolini’s opportunism and significant popular support that allowed him to take advantage of the situation, or that the combination of factors led to him gaining power in 1922.