Italy Booklet 3: The development of Fascism and the rise to power of Mussolini, 1919-1922 Flashcards
(34 cards)
What were the three main declarations set out by Mussolini at the first meeting of the fasci di combattimento in Milan, 23rd march 1919?
Honour the memory of the WWI casualties
To get rid of the neutralists (get them out of government
Opposing imperialism
How well did Mussolini do in the 1919 general election?
the fascist party only got 5000 votes and so didn’t get any seats in parliament.
By September 1922, how many active members did the fascist party have?
300,000
Who significantly did nothing to stop the squadristi violence? why?
The liberal government, the police and the army because they were more afraid of a socialist revolution.
Who were the ras?
The individual leaders of the fascist squads (squadristi violence)
Who was fascist violence originally aimed at?
the socialists (both councils and supporters)
In the first five months of 1921, how many people were killed and wounded by fascist violence?
200 people killed and 1000 wounded
What was the impact of the fascist violence in the early 1920s?
It broke the power of the socialists and created the myth that the fascists had saved Italy from revolution
What problem faced major landowners in the early 1920s?
Local socialists and catholic unions were pushing for land reform which would have restricted their wealth.
What was the appeal of fascism to the major landowners in the early 1920s?
the fascists broke strikes, forced unions to disband and attacked socialists leaders causing fear for their supporters
What problem faced the ex-soldiers in the early 1920s?
They felt that ‘mutilated victory’ had betrayed Italy’s defeat of Austria in WWI and that they had not been rewarded for their sacrifices.
What was the appeal of fascism for the Ex-soldiers in the early 1920s?
Strong assertion of nationalism and the role of returned soldiers as the leaders of the new Italy. They promised to punish those who had not supported Italy during the war.
What problem faced the small landowners in the early 1920s?
They were threatened by socialist policies regarding land redistribution and higher taxes. Socialist land leagues intimidated farmers into hiring workers when they were not needed.
What was the appeal of fascism for the small landowners in the early 1920s?
They attacked the socialist land leagues and violently weakened their power.
When was the march on Rome?
27th October 1922
How many fascists planned to march on Rome? How many actually did?
40,000, but only 25,000 did
Who was PM of Italy before the march on Rome and how did he react to the event?
Facta was PM and he resigned, not knowing what else to do.
Who had the power to enact martial law on the march on Rome? What did he do?
King Victor Emmanuel III and he refused to authorise the use of martial law.
When was Mussolini appointed as prime minister?
30th October 1922
What did Salandra do in regards to Mussolini becoming PM?
He originally tried to reach out to Mussolini to form a coalition, but Mussolini refused to take part in a parliament that wasn’t his own.
What was one of the key first events of fascist violence on April 15th 1919?
A fascist squad of around 200 to 300, dressed in black and carrying pistols, attacked a socialist demonstration in Milan and burned down the Milan offices of Avanti! 3 socialists and 1 fascist had been killed
What was the problem facing the industrialists in early 1920s?
Anger at the government’s apparent weak response to ‘socialist threat’ and the mass strikes and factory occupations taking place during Biennio Rosso
What was the appeal of Fascism for the industrialists?
they supported fascism’s attempts to break union power and socialism throughout Italy. Supported the destruction of the labour leagues and fascists promised to sell nationally aimed business to private investors - fascists becoming very pro-business
What were the problem facing the young people and students in the early 1920s Italy?
Disillusioned with achievements of liberal system
