Mussolini's War Speech - Essay Example

Such regimes flourished during the politically uncertain period in Europe following the First World War. Italy and Germany were the most important centers of such fascist governments. The arguments that are provided by Mussolini for the war against Ethiopia, a country which they had failed to subdue for around a century are not scientifically valid. Economically and as far as military might was concerned, Italy would not have been able to hold up against the might of the Allied powers alone, who supported the League of Nations, which had condemned the attack on Ethiopia (Italy in the Second World War).

Mussolini’s claim that “to acts of war”, he would “reply with acts of war” (Mussolini Justifies War Against Ethiopia) is thus, based on his needs to rouse his countrymen and gain their support rather than a scientifically legitimate claim on his part. The text talks of the need to invade Ethiopia at a point of time when the sentiments of the international community were against such an invasion. Italy did not really have the ability to stand against such opposition as was proven in a disastrous manner by the Second World War.

Mussolini’s claims are based on hope and intuition and not on reports of diplomatic understanding. They are also directed at invoking the intuitive nationalist sentiments of the Italians rather than an appeal to their sense of rational understanding. Mussolini reasons with himself about the chances of his victory- while talking of France and Great Britain, he speaks about the improbability of their doing so. This is a case of inductive reasoning whereby he uses particular examples to prove that a certain event would not come about.

He also rejects responsibility for any act of violence that may follow an act of violence upon Italy. This is an example of causal reasoning whereby he talks of retribution on the part of the Italians would be the effect of violence on the part of others. Mussolini here shies away from responsibility and this was one of the important characteristics of the fascist regimes that developed during the interwar years. The regimes that came up during this period led their people into war; they were, however, unable to ensure that their people would come out of the war unscathed.

Italy and Germany spent many years following the Second World War trying to recoup from its effects. The process of rebuilding took great efforts on the part of the German and Italian people. When Mussolini says that the people of Italy had been impressed by the work of the fascists, he means it to be an example of deductive logic. When he says that fascism was a spectacle that history had not seen till then, he means it to be the premise that along with the premise of the effectiveness of fascism led to the twenty million people of Italy gathering together in support of Mussolini and the institution of fascism.

The techniques of logic and reasoning are employed in a very effective and convincing manner by Mussolini. The power of oratory that shines through his entire speech was a feature that was very important in his journey to success. This was important in the consolidation of his power of Mussolini over the people of Italy. The Italian people were swayed in a manner that was similar to the way in which the Germans were swayed by Adolf Hitler in later years. The promise of economic development was a major reason as to why people were misled in