The paper presents the Italian historian Renzo De Felice and his historiographical treatment of Italian fascism. In Italy, his research in the 1970s marked a turning point in the historical consensus on the subject up to that time. Hence, his work has been accompanied by several polemics that have often left the framework of scientific debate. In the first part of the paper, De Felice’s claims are confronted with his critics’ reproaches, while in the second part the article endeavours to explain the background of the polemic, presenting the specific socio-cultural situation in the Italy of that time and its impact on historiography on the fascist period. The discussion concludes that De Felice’s work, despite some contentious points, is currently considered as indispensable for all modern researchers of this period of Italian history.