With reference to the given picture, answer the following questions :

(a) Identify the personality and give the popular name he was called.

(b) Name the ideology and two of its features propounded by him.

(c) Give two reasons for his meteoric rise at the helm of affairs.

(a) The person in the given picture is Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy. He was called the "Duce".

(b) The ideology propounded by Mussolini was Fascism. Two of its features are given below:

1. Fascism was the supporter of one party and one leader. According to Fascism, dictatorship was the best form of government. There was no place for opposition in Fascism and it was in favour of bringing an end to all other forces.
2. Fascism was against the individual. It preferred the state to the man or the individual because he gets all the rights from the state. Individuals did exist only for the state. Fascism laid more stress on the duties of the individual and the rights of the state.

(c) Benito Mussolini's meteoric rise to power can be attributed to several factors. Two key reasons are given below:

1. Weak Government and Political Instability : The people were greatly distressed due to the weak policies and inefficiency of the government, which was incapable of solving their problems. Since no single party could gain clear majority in the elections, there was complete instability after 1918.
2. Activities of the Socialists : The Socialists intensified tensions with their revolutionary ideas, while the Communists plotted to overthrow the government. Amid growing lawlessness and insecurity, people sought a strong party to restore peace and prosperity.