Examine the political conditions that led to the rise of two authoritarian/single-party leaders.

Important to remember throughout the answer, that the question is only asking about political conditions, should not reference economics, unless it is linked to politics. 

Thesis: Political conditions such as the lack of effectiveness of the current government, weakness of opposition the Germany and Italian public's fear of a communist revolution were all factors that led to the rise of power of two right-wing authoritarians, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. 

Paragraph 1: Lack of effective government prior to Hitler and Mussolini's rise 

• Both of the government's before Hitler and Mussolini came to power were ineffective at combating the pressing issues of the time 
  
• E.g. Germany's Weimar Republic: after the effects of World War I and the Great Depression, the government could not help the economy, there was hyperinflation and shocking levels of unemployment
  
• E.g. Similarly, Italy's government and the parliamentary system were discredited, as the government was unable to reform in the face of economic crisis i.e. 5 PMs in 3 years, each coalition trying to overthrow the next - this also happened in Germany
  
• People lost faith in the democratic system, turned to more right-wing autocrats 

Paragraph 2: Weakness of opposition and the opposition's underestimation of Hitler and Mussolini

• Mussolini's opposition greatly underestimated him, e.g. since the Fascists only had 35 seats in the parliament in 1921, his opposition thought that even if he was made Prime Minister he didn't have enough power to do anything -> they were wrong 
  
• In contrast, the opposition to Hitler was weak and President Hindenburg of the Weimar Republic needed Hitler in a coalition government so Hindenburg could govern. 
  
• Both the Italian Parliament and Hindenburg underestimated Hitler and Mussolini and thought they could be controlled, thus getting them to power legally. 

Paragraph 3: Fear of communist political revolution 

• Anti-communism was inherent in the fascist ideology - Hitler and Mussolini exploited the public's fear of a communist revolution 
  
• Farmers and elites were fearful in both socities and thus willing to support Mussolini and Hitler e.g. both promised to protect the land and not let it be redistributed by the communists 
  
• Fear allowed them to galvanize more support