1922 - 29 - The creation and consolidation of Mussolini's Dictatorship

Question 1

What where the Limitations of Mussolini’s power as prime minister?

Answer 1

.King had control of the army and would not allow him to dissolve government
.Had to create coalition government with Liberal’s and Popolari.

Question 2

How did Mussolini gain more power after becoming prime minister?

Answer 2

.Nov 1922 - Convinced parliament to let him rule by decree for 12 months to establish political stability and deal with growing left wing threat.

Question 3

How Did Mussolini Consolidate his power?

Answer 3

.1922 Speech at Chamber of deputies to achieve 12 months of emergency powers .
.1922 - Fascist Grand Council appointed by Mussolini
.1923 - Squads formed into grand militia swearing loyalty to Mussolini not the King.
.1923 - The Acerbo Law
.1923 - merger of Fascists and Nationalists
.1924 - election
.1924 - Matteotti murder
.1925 - Matteotti Chambers speech

Question 4

What is the Acerbo Law 1923?

Answer 4

.1923 law passed which changed the electoral system of Italy.
.The party with the most voted would be given 2/3rds of the overall chamber if they had over 25% of all votes.
.The remaining 1/3rd seats would be split between the other parties.
.Aimed to reduce political stability.
.Passed in 1923

Question 5

What where the results of the 1924 election?

COD - Chamber of deputies

Answer 5

.Fascists won 66% of votes
.Fascists in COD went from 35 - 374
.Using ballot rigging, blackshirts and intimidation

Question 6

What was the Matteotti Murder and what happened with the aftermath?

Answer 6

.1924 - Matteotti spoke out against fascist violence causing the election results
.11 days later kidnapped and killed by rogue fascists
.Widespread criticism of Mussolini across the world, and within the Italian Public
.Aventine secession set up in opposition to COD

Question 7

What was the Aventine Secession?

Answer 7

.Set up alternate political administration (mainly socialists communists and popolari.
.Referenced to events in ancient Rome when men withdrawing from political life would be described as going to Bunker hill.

Question 8

What was Mussolini’s reaction to Matteotti Murder?

Answer 8

.Denied any connection to him
.Set up Press censorship in 1924
.Meetings of opposition parties were banned in August 1924
.Resulted in backlash from leading Liberals.

Question 9

What Did Mussolini do with the Backlash from the Matteotti Crisis?

Answer 9

.With Fascist pressure he accepted all responsibility for Fascists actions.
.He then announced that within 48 hours he would set up a dictatorship.

Question 10

Why was Mussolini able to triumph from the Matteotti crisis?

Answer 10

.His response to the crisis and the use of the squads
.Inaction of the King
.Division amongst the lIberals
.Mistakes of the socialists eg , aventine secession

Question 11

How Did Mussolini Consolidate power after stating the dictatorship 1925 - 28?

Answer 11

.25th Dec - Jan 31 - established exectuve powers and subordination of all ministers of state to leader of government Mussolini who was only accountable to the king.
.1925 all Journalists required to be on central official register controlled by fascists.
.1925 banned all political parties and trade unions not aligned with fascists
.1926 Mussolini gained power to personally pass laws bypassing parliament
.1926 elected mayors replaced with podesta
.1928 single national electoral college, candidates elected by grand council.
.1928 Grand council became supreme body of regime, it could; amend the constitution, intervene in the succession the throne
.New secret Police ‘OVRA’ established