The rise of Mussolini Flashcards
Why did support for fascism increase?
- Actions of Mussolini
- Weakness of Liberal state
- Fear of socialism
- impact of WW1
what actions did Mussolini take in order to establish control/support?
-New Programme 1920- dropped his anti-clerical stance, less republican, social reforms, irredente lands
Why was Mussolini appointed PM in oct 1922?
- Mussolini’s actions
2.Fear of socialism
3.Weakness of liberal state - Role of King
What actions did Mussolini take to increase his power/support?
-New programme 1920- dropped anti-clerical stance- led to M having more followers (farmers)
-Political manoeuvring- M wanted to lower the power of the Ras to please conservatives/ middle class- reluctance from Ras to step down- M managed to persuade the Ras that their success depended on his leadership. -M had tried to re-package the squads violence creating the myth that fascism could save the country/stamp out socialism.
-Dual policy
what was Mussolini’s dual policy?
-to obtain power he encouraged fascist violence BUT also would distance himself from worst cases of fascist violence.
-To obtain power M offered concessions to the church
PARA 2- FEAR OF SOCIALISM
Why was there a fear of socialism in Italy?
-PSI had won 32.4% of vote
-Middle class feared that there would be a ‘Bolshevik’ seizure of power like in Russia
-
what methods did M use to help reduce the fears of socialism?
Violence- murdered socialists, drinking of castor oil- gov. does nothing
What did Mussolini convince Italy?
that fascism had saved the country from a revolution and had stamped out socialism
PARA 3- WEAKNESS OF LIBERAL STATE
Why was the 1919 election significant?
PSI had own 32.4% of vote=Liberals already on the decline
why were the Bienno Russo strikes significant?
showed that gov were incapable of solving chaos and inability to deal with strikes
What did Giolitti do in 1921 May?
Allowed Mussolini on electoral role to try and gain support BUT in the 1921 election M voted against opposition and ultimately led to Giolitti’s resignation and collapse of transformismo.
How did the weak liberal state and Giolitti’s resignation contribute to M appt?
Following Giolitti, Bonomi and Facta both weak liberal leaders were unable to deal with serious problems facing Italy- fascism seemed to be the antidote
PARA 4- ROLE OF KING
How did the king play a role in Mussolini’s appointment?
Weak and indecisive- feared if he signed martial law-military would not obey his orders
-worried about Duke of Aosta- fascist supporter- feared he would be replaced
-crucial decision that ultimately allows M to be appointed.
How did Fascist ideology change?
- Church/elites
- Workers/taxation
- Foreign policy
