Fascism’s Rise to Power 1920-22

Question 1

How did Giolitti make a critical mistake by inviting Mussolini into his National Bloc 1920-21?

Answer 1

• Gio thought Mussolini could be TAMED.
• Musso uses Bloc to get into gov + then SIDES WITH OPPOSITION.

Question 2

What was Mussolini’s government strategy 1920-22?

Answer 2

• Continue winning power PEACEFULLY
• Push for NEW ELECTIONS to increase Fasc rep; gives greater weight to his power demands.

Question 3

Why was Mussolini’s 1921-22 government strategy at odds with what the Squads wanted?

Answer 3

• Ras push for VIOLENT GOV TAKEOVER (insurrection)
• Muss needs to be appointed CONSTITUTIONALLY to lend self LEGITIMACY

Question 4

How was the Italian government faring after the 1921 elections? 😬

Answer 4

• Political DEADLOCK between
  GOV bloc (Giolitti, Fascists, Nationalists)
  CENTRIST opposition (Catholics)
  LEFTIST opposition (Soc, Comm, Lib Reformists)

ALL EQUALLY SIZED

Question 5

What were Liberal politicians more concerned with + how was it similar to the Backstairs Intrigue of Weimar G?

Answer 5

• Key Lib figures more concerned with STOPPING EACH OTHER from becoming PM to avoid FASCIST REVOLUTION.

Question 6

What was the July 1921 Pact of Pacification?

Answer 6

• TEMPORARY CEASEFIRE between Fascists + Socialists

Question 7

Why didn’t the 1921 Pact of Pacification last?

Answer 7

• Regional RAS (more powerful than Gauleiters) objected to it, resumed violence with INCREASED VIGOUR

Question 8

What was Mussolini’s Dual Policy regarding the Blackshirts, + how did he use it to gain favour in Parliament?

Answer 8

• Publicly CONDONE Fascist violence, but privately ENDORSE
• Convinces CONSERVATIVES that giving him MORE political AUTHORITY would keep squads under his control.

Question 9

How were nationalist-socialist tensions in Aug 1922?

Answer 9

• HEIGHT of Fascist + Socialist tensions.
• Gov INACTIONS SPURS Socialists to act with increasingly VIOLENT strikes + protests.

Question 10

What was the Fascist response to the height of Socialist tensions in Aug 1922?

Answer 10

• SCAREMONGERS to gain support
• Promises Fascists’ll end strike even if gov refuses.
• Destroy socialist paper AVANTI’s offices
• Transport + postie strike; deliver MAIL + run TRAINS.

Question 11

What role did King Victor Emmanuel iii + his advisors play in the lead-up to the March on Rome?

Answer 11

• Portion of King’s ADVISORS + MOTHER have Fascist SYMPATHIES.
• King uninterested in seriously PROMOTING Fascists; M’s speeches PLACATE his fears.

Question 12

When was Facta PM from?

Answer 12

• Feb 1922 - Oct 1922

Question 13

By September 1922, how much of Italy was under Fascist control?

Answer 13

• Through Ra LOCAL GOV DOMINATION, half of Italy under M’s control
• NORTHERN Italy.

Question 14

In September 1922, during Mussolini’s Northern Italy tour, what did he declare his aims were?

Answer 14

• “Simple: we intend to GOVERN ITALY.”
• “ Either we are ALLOWED to govern, or we will SEIZE power by MARCHING ON ROME”

Question 15

How did Mussolini and the Ras’ aims converge in September 1922?

Answer 15

• Unemployment + strike issues require IMMEDIATE ACTION more easily pursued if PNF controlled NATIONAL gov
• Blackshirts need action to not become DISAFFECTED (disatisfied)

Question 16

Who was the one Liberal politician who seemed able to prevent a violent Fasc takeover + what was his plan?

Answer 16

• Giolitti
• With support of FACTA + MODERATES: from MULTI-PARTY COALITION GOV w/ Fascists included.
• call for fresh elections in SPRING.

Question 17

How’d Mussolini + Facta pile pressure onto Giolitti?

Answer 17

• M’d only join his moderate coalition if formed BEFORE SPRING w/ elections held BEFORE SPRING.
• Facta unsure how to cope with Oct PNF Congress in way that didn’t end in VIOLENCE. Act QUICK.