Establishment Of Fascist Italy 1922-28 Flashcards
When and how did Mussolini become PM?
30th October 1922; Mussolini arrives in Rome to be proclaimed PM of Italy
What were the reactions of the blackshirts and Mussolini to him becoming PM?
-Blackshirts entered the city & paraded in triumph
-Mussolini’s dream of unchallenged power (personal) was still not reality
-Many blackshirts believed revolution was imminent
-Mussolini was cautious → saw limits of fascist power
What was Mussolini’s fascism government like?
-Did not have majority of MPs
-Had to construct a ‘national government’; coalition 4 fascists, democrats, 1 liberal, 1 nationalist, 2 Popolari, 2 senior army officers
-Was dependent on political compromise
What did the Conservatives think of fascism?
-A tool to destroy the left & who world then be dissolved/dispersed
-Thought that since it lacked coherent ideology & clear policies, it wouldn’t last long
What 3 advantages did Mussolini have by the end of 1922?
-Could put key ministries into fascist hands
-Could transform his squads into an organised fascist militia (MSVN)
-Could extend control by appointing fascists to positions of authority
What did Mussolini make himself alongside his role as PM?
-Minister of the interior control of the police)
-Minister of foreign affairs
How did Mussolini use the fear of revolution to his advantage?
Used it to persuade parties to grant his gov temporary emergency powers for 12 months, was now able to pass laws swiftly
Why was the Fascist Grand Council set up?
To rubber stamp Mussolini’s decisions
What were the factors that helped Mussolini gain rule by decree?
-King failed opportunity to block Mussolini & it was too late afterwards, w/out king’s backing it’d been difficult for politicians to oppose him
-Growing impatience w/ old establishment which led to desire for generational change
-Fear of violence & civil war
From 1922-28, what did Mussolini use carrot and stick policies to do?
-Increase his power over gov, parliament, fascist movement
-Reform election law to guarantee fascist majority in parliament
-Create his dictatorship, remove free elections/political opposition/power of parliament
-Did this despite socialists becoming almost non-existant
Why did the Matteotti crisis of 1924 not cause Mussolini’s down fall?
-The Aventine Succession showed weaknesses of liberals
-King made no effort to sack him; in 1925, Mussolini announced his intention to create a dictatorship & no one was there to stop him
Why did Mussolini move away from his anti Catholic & monarchy stance from 1919?
Wanted to convince that PNF was disciplined, organised & fully under his control
What was the political establishment’s aim?
Wanted to manipulate Mussolini, using fascist political strength for their own purposes
What was the King/conservative elites’ opinions on fascism and how did Mussolini use this to his advantage?
-Never imagined Italy would become a fascist dictatorship
-Mussolini knew this so he ensured he used this to his advantage, as he could use their support literally, e.g. both Giolitti & Salandra voted for Mussolini’s power of ruling by decree
him as the dynamic man to save Italy
How did Mussolini gain support of the confindustria in 1923?
Through his decision not to attack widespread tax evasion
How did Mussolini gain support of the army and anti-fascist offices?
-Army were ready to work alongside Mussolini
-When Mussolini showed he could control his squadristi, the anti-fascist offices no longer saw them as a dangerous rabble
How did Mussolini gain support from landowners?
Reassured landowners that their land was safe, as their original fear was that Mussolini would use illegal land grabbing
Why did Mussolini need to calm the fears of trade unions and how?
-Fascist TUs had plans to take control of key industries + force employers to accept radical changes in industrial relations
-The idea of ‘corporate state’ alarmed employers, so Mussolini appointed De Stefani as finance minister & reinstated bargaining rights of TUs
How did Mussolini gain support from the Catholic Church?
-Catholic church was appeased when he proposed to ban contraception & would make RE compulsory in secondary schools
-1923; Pope withdrew support from the Popolari and even told the leader, Sturzo, to leave Italy
What were the reasons for the king not stopping Mussolini’s consolidation of power?
-Mother was pro-fascist, saw -Mussolini as strong man who would save Italy
-Cousin, Duke of Acosta, was pro-fascist & supporter of Mussolini; was a threat to the king as was keen to put himself on throne so Emmanuel couldn’t be forceful against fascists
-Unsure whether army could’ve defeated fascists as many ex-soldiers had been accepted into fascist movement
-Accepted Salandra’s plan that they’d supervise in gov
What was the Rule by decree and why was it passed?
-Granted for 12 months → could create laws w/out consulting parliament
-Justification was; only a strong parliament could take stern measures necessary to restore law & order
-MPs gave massive vote of no confidence; 306:116 (incl giolitti & Salandra, only communists & socialists opposed)
What were the roles of the Grand Council of Fascism & national militia?
-Consolidating his power over his own party
-December; established the Grand Council consisting of 22 prominent party members
-Controlled its membership & agenda → he alone controlled policy
-January; reduced influence of provincial leaders by converting fascist squads into a militia paid for
by the state (MSVN)
How large was Mussolini’s private army and how were they used?
-30,000 men
-Used to continue intimidation of the fascists
What was Acerbo law and why + how was it passed?
-Had to gain majority for legitimacy & freedom of action
-Argued that Italy needed stability & that instability of constant coalitions needed to end
-Ensured if one party gained 25% of votes then it would gain 2/3 seats in chamber of deputies (PNF would be unstoppable)
-Fascist squads would smash up opposition offices + physically prevent opposition voters from voting
-Master of interior -> instruct police to allow fascists to cause havoc
-Potential to fix elections increased by fact that he’d promoted fascist sympathisers to important roles in local government
What occurred during the 1924 elections and what were the results?
-July 1923; debated, won over prominent liberals & received overwhelming majority (235:139)
-Fascist thugs roamed chamber during debate
-Many MPs welcomed destruction of left & others to change from impotent coalition govs
-1924; PNF win 374 out of 508 seats
-Although victories of fascists had been accompanied by intimidation, fraud, & some genuine support, socialism held up majorities in Milan & Turin + gained more than 2m votes
TBC p23 Matteotti crisis
