Answers (1)
Italy's army had been bloodied and her economy made poorer by WWI1. Mussolini had been a socialist politician before the war, but a soldier during the war.
He therefore understood the socialist politics of the left, and the nationalist politics of the militarist right, and was able to blend them to create what he called 'Fascism', a nationalistic kind of socialism (which is what Hitler called his own ideology, National Socialism.)
In this way he was able to win a broad consensus of voters and strong arm men in order to win elections and when he felt necessary to 'strong arm' the political process.
He was also very charismatic and moving as a speaker, and was not afraid to appeal to the deep seated imagery and emotions to bring about a consciousness that longed for the glories of the Old Roman Order... he was able to inspire and mesmerize his followers and the common man and woman, and this invigorated the Italian economy and military, the people and the state.