Fascist March on Rome 1922 Flashcards
(15 cards)
How did the members of the Fascisti di Combattimento plan the March on Rome?
- 16 Oct: leaders meet and DRAW UP PLANS
- QUADRUMVIRI (key Ras) appointed to CO-ORDINATE + LEAD march. 3 columns descend SIMULTANEOUSLY on 28th
- Mussolini meets ANI’s D’ANNUNZIO to reduce opposition from his supporters. Reach AGREEMENT.
What was the Quadrumviri + who was in it?
- Group of 4 most HIGH PROFILE FASCISTS other than M
- Italian generals, syndicate members, deputies
How did the military prepare to defend Rome?
- 19th-25th Oct: Rome GARRISON of 2.5k men REINFORCED
- Plans to block city’s BRIDGES + ROADS
- Troops guard STATIONS during PNF Congress
What happened at the Oct 1922 PNF Congress?
- Fascists only join Gio’s gov if given 5 cabinet posts - includING foreign minister
- Only matter of “DAYS” / “HOURS” before gov under Fascist control
- Rally: 60k supporters march.
What did the Fascist leaders tell Facta + the King on Oct 26 + what was their response?
- PNF on BRINK of FORCIBLY SEIZING power
- King refuses to appoint PM “under THREAT” + approves Rome’s defensive plans
What did the Fascist Squads do on the eve of 28th Oct?
- Seize control of
TOWN HALLS
POST OFFICES
STATIONS
In Northern Italian towns, unopposed by local officials + police
BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES! How does the government prepare for Fascist insurrection?
- Facta announces gov’s
“Supreme duty to DEFEND state at ALL COSTS, by ALL MEANS + against ALL VIOLATING its laws” - Declare STATE OF SIEGE
- Facta tries to get King to approve MARTIAL LAW
How did the police thwart the Squads’ movement towards Rome?
- 400 Police halt ~20k marchers traveling by TRAIN 50 miles from Rome
- 2/3 columns (5K MEN) reach assembly points
- Waiting HUNGRY, ILL-EQUIPPED, SOAKED by torrential rain w/ 28k troops + policemen to face in Rome.
How did the King majorly scupper + inhibit attempts to stop the March on Rome from progressing?
- REFUSED to approve MARTIAL LAW
(Thought Fasc had 100k + army had 8, didn’t ask for estimate, actually 30k each OG)
- Worried troops would side w/ nationalists: BROTHERS IN ARMS. Could’ve crushed them, eliminating threat.
What were the King’s major worries surrounding a Fascist insurrection?
- CIVIL WAR
- USURPATION: cousin, Duke of A’osta, FASCIST SYMPATHISER. Mother + several advisors sympathetic too.
Who resigned as PM on the 28th, and who did the King persuade to take over?
- FACTA resigns
- SALANDRA has a crack at forming a gov
What was Salandra’s condition for forming a government? How’d his attempt work out? 😬🔥
- Mussolini MUST join. Offers 4 CABINET posts, including FOREIGN MINISTER.
- 29 Oct: Mussolini REJECTS offer - wants PM.
UNSUCCESSFUL: KING HAS TO APPOINT M AS PM
In what way was the March on Rome a mostly symbolic event?
- March represented a wielded THREAT of violence that didn’t manifest; M gained power at the end of a TELEPHONE LINE
- Emblematic march conducted after M PM; march past KING on balcony + M in his hotel, actual march on 31st.
How did Mussolini use clothing and spectacle to further cement the March on Rome as a PR stunt? (30 Oct)
- Formally meets King in BLACK SHIRT
Excuse: just returned from “BATTLEFIELD.”
(Off train)
What happened for real on the 31st October 1922?
- ACTUAL March on Rome. Fairly nonviolent affair then return home
