People in Italy were frustrated with the outcome of the Great War despite Italy’s victory in 1918. Subsequently, Italy faced as period of instability. In this setting, Benito Mussolini formed the Fasci di Combattimento, an ultranationalist, fascist group which largely appealed to war veterans. Through an analysis of five primary sources, this lesson covers the formation of early Fascist groups under Mussolini’s leadership.

Practice PEEL paragraphs

1. Using sources 2 and 3, discuss how useful police reports are for a historian wanting to find out about Fascist activities.
2. Using sources 4 and 5, analyze the types of language used in Mussolini’s newspaper, Il Popolo d’Italia.

Essay questions

1. “Early Italian Fascism was based on emotions.” Discuss.
2. Why did people follow Mussolini between 1920 and 1922?