AQA_2024: AS History - Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945 Component 2L: The Crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme)

AQA_2024: AS History - Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945 Component 2L: The Crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926 (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) AS HISTORY Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945 Component 2L The crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926 Monday 20 May 2024 Materials For this paper you must have:  an AQA 16-page answer book. Instructions Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 30 minutes  Use black ink or black ball-point pen.  Write the information required on the front of your answer book. The Paper Reference is 7041/2L.  Answer two questions. In Section A answer Question 01. In Section B answer either Question 02 or Question 03. Information  The marks for questions are shown in brackets.  The maximum mark for this paper is 50.  You will be marked on your ability to: – use good English – organise information clearly – use specialist vocabulary where appropriate. Advice  You are advised to spend about: – 50 minutes on Section A – 40 minutes on Section B. For AS History: Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945, Component 2L: The Crisis of Liberal Italy and the Rise of Mussolini, c1900–1926, focus on the following key areas: 1. Liberal Italy: Strengths and Weaknesses:  The Liberal State: Understand the formation of Liberal Italy after unification in 1861, including its parliamentary system, the role of the king (Victor Emmanuel II), and the liberal elite that controlled the government.  Weaknesses: Focus on the regional divisions (north vs. south), economic inequalities, and the challenges of governing a fragmented nation. The Southern Question (the struggle of the impoverished south) is a critical factor. 2. Economic and Social Problems:  Economic Inequality: The industrial north and the agrarian south were economically divided, with poor living conditions, widespread poverty, and a lack of industrialization in the south. The Landless peasants in the south were crucial in the rise of political movements.  World War I Impact: Study how Italy’s involvement in World War I (1915–1918) deepened economic crises, including inflation, unemployment, and social unrest. Italy’s war effort failed to achieve the promised territorial gains, which led to the “mutilated victory” myth and resentment. 3. Social Unrest and Political Instability:  The Biennio Rosso (Two Red Years): Between 1919–1920, widespread strikes, factory occupations, and peasant revolts occurred, fueled by frustration with economic hardship and the failure of the Liberal government to address workers' demands. 4. Rise of Fascism:  Mussolini’s Fascist Movement: Focus on Benito Mussolini’s role in founding the Fascist movement in 1919, initially a small political group that combined nationalist and socialist elements, later becoming a far-right, authoritarian force.  Blackshirts and Violence: The Blackshirts, Mussolini’s paramilitary group, played a key role in intimidating opponents and gaining support. Violence against socialist and liberal groups was a major tactic for the Fascists. 5. The March on Rome (1922):  Mussolini’s Power Grab: In October 1922, Mussolini organized the March on Rome, a coup attempt that forced King Victor Emmanuel III to appoint him as Prime Minister, despite fascists being in the minority in the government. The king’s decision to appoint Mussolini was based on fears of a civil war and the belief that Mussolini could bring stability. 6. Historiographical Debate: Interpretations of Mussolini’s Rise: Examine different historians' views on Mussolini’s rise to power. Some argue it was a reactionary movement to the weakness of liberal Italy, while others suggest Mussolini exploited social unrest and used the fascist party’s discipline and violence to gain power. IB/M/Jun24/G400A/E6 7041/2L 2 Section A Answer Question 01. Source A From a speech by Mussolini to supporters, December 1914. Mussolini was speaking soon after he had been expelled from the Socialist Party. The neutrals shout themselves hoarse crying ‘down with war!’ They do not realise the grotesque cowardice contained in that cry. Anyone who refuses to fight today is an accomplice of the Kaiser and the Austrian Emperor. Do you want a stronger Germany? It is only after the defeat of Germany that a new and brilliant spring will burst over Europe. We want the war and we want it at once! It is not true that military preparation is lacking. It is necessary to act, to move, to fight and, if necessary, to die. Neutrals have always gone under. It is blood which moves the wheels of history! 5 Source B From The Treaty of London, signed by Italy, Great Britain, France and Russia, 26 April 1915. This treaty was negotiated in secret by Prime Minister Salandra. Article 2: Italy will use her entire resources to wage war jointly with France, Great Britain, and Russia against all their enemies. Article 4: under the Treaty of Peace, Italy shall obtain the Trentino, Tyrol with its geographical and natural frontier, as well as Trieste, Istria and the province of Dalmatia. Article 11: Italy shall receive a share of any eventual reparations corresponding to its efforts and sacrifices. Article 13: if France and Great Britain increase their colonial territories in Africa at the expense of Germany, those two Powers agree that Italy may claim some fair compensation. Article 14: Great Britain will give Italy a loan of at least £50 million. Article 16: the present arrangement shall be kept secret. 5 10 0 1 With reference to these sources and your understanding of the historical context, which of these two sources is more valuable