Mussolini Takes Power Flashcards
Which quote underlines mussolinis positive view of fascist violence?
‘for my part, I prefer 50,000 rifles to 5,000,000 votes’
What were the benefits of fascist violence to Mussolini?
- gave him protection for when he said radical things
- gave Mussolini status and authority, as he was followed by a private militia
- the combination of fascist violence with mussolinis well dressed respectability helped fascism become a catch all movement
- allowed the fascists to assert themselves over the police, the local government and the judiciary
Describe the sadistic policies that tye fascists took up against their opponents
Forced them to drink castor oil, as this was a laxative that would purge them of their sons. Serious illness or death could follow. Some opponents were forced to eat live toads. This was all publicised in mussolinis newspapers, allowing him to humiliate his opponents and remove their political credibility
How many people did the fascists kill between 1920-22, and how many fascists died in turn?
2000 opponents were killed, whereas only 200 fascists died
What had happened by 1921 as a result of the fascist violence?
The great power the socialists had exercised in central and northern areas had virtually disappeared
What made fascist violence so ironic?
The political group responsible for more violence than any other came to win support from the elite and authorities for its claim to be able to restore order and discipline to Italy
What did PM bononi do to combat fascism in 1921
Allowed prefects to take action against paramilitary groups
What happened in 1921 which suggests that fascist violence didn’t necessarily have to be such a threat?
12 policemen fired at 500 fascists in sarzana, and they all fled
What were mussolinis justifications for fascist violence?
- the fascists must be led by a pillar of fire, because they are slandered and not understood
- we do not make an aesthetic theory of violence. We are violence because it is necessary to be so
List the different responses to fascist violence
- many ordinary Italians saw it as nothing more than political hooliganism
- some welcomed it as a crude but necessary antidote to socialism.
- the elite and agents of the government, disgusted by the weakness of government, actually cooperated with the fascists
- Giolittis inclusion of the fascists in government in 1921 encouraged local officials to ignore strong action against them
Why was the general strike a mistake by the socialists?
- it allowed Mussolini the opportunity to present that the socialists were still a major threat and only the fascists could deal with them
What was the fascist response to the general strike?
The fascists said they would step in to stop the strikes if the government failed to do so. The fascists took over the running of public transport and ensured the postal system continued to function
How did the fascists deal with opposition during the general strike?
If strikers protested against the fascists they were beaten up
Why can the socialist threat be seen as having been exaggerated by mussolini during the general strike?
- the strike was poorly organised and received only partial support from workers
- fascist action limited the damage of the strikes
- within days, the strikes had collapsed, leaving the socialists in disarray
- the socialists were extremely divided and were represented by four different parties.
- Mussolini exaggerated the socialist threat in order to engender support by creating an enemy
What did the general strike allow Mussolini to do?
- present the fascists as the defenders of law and order
- this impressed the conservative middle class by showing them that the fascists could be trusted in government
