In a speech to parliament, Mussolini promised he would give Italy peace and quiet 'if possible in love, but if necessary by force.' This statement well explains Mussolini's methods of consolidation. Up to 1926, the early years of his dictatorship, Mussolini employed predominantly forceful methods to consolidate his power quickly. Then, from 1926 onwards, when his position was secured he used principally persuasive methods to maintain support. Therefore, although Mussolini used both force and persuasion, in …showed first 75 words of 1921 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1921 total…the underestimate the use of persuasion throughout the period. Force can secure a country from opposition and create a passive population, but can it create such active support as that which lynched Zamboni after he attempted to assassinate Mussolini? However George Bernard Shaw explains why Mussolini's predominant use of force rather than persuasion to consolidate his power was so effective. He was supported because 'he was an effective tyrant' and feared for the same reasons.