Mussolini boldly promised to rescue Italy by reviving its economy and rebuilding its armed forces. He also vowed to give great strong leadership to Italy. When the economic conditions worsened, his popularity started to increase. Once his popularity increased, he then finally publicly criticized Italy's government. This created attacks at communists and socialists on the streets by groups of fascists. Because Mussolini played the fear of a workers' revolt, he started to gain support from the middle classes, the aristocracy, and the industrial leaders.