Matteoti crisis Flashcards
(13 cards)
When did a new parliament open?
30 May 1924
What did Matteotti claim about the fascists?
they only won because they had used violence and were determined to establish a dictatorship
What happened to Matteotti?
- He got kidnapped and killed
- The leader of the kidnapping was Dumini head of a fascist terror squad/ secret police (the ceka)
How was the Matteotti crisis detrimental to the PNF?
- Many people thought Mussolini was personally responsible for the death
- Threatened to topple the PNF government
- Many people protested and people tore up their fascist membership cards in protest
- Communists called for general strike and the press was fiercely critical
Who did Mussolini face pressure from during the Matteotti crisis?
- Old established elite, they were concerned about backing a PM associated with murder
- PSI, PCI, and other antifascist parties called for Mussolini to be dismissed and fascists to be overthrown
- The ras saw Matteotti’s murder as the first step in revolution (want more violence)
What was the Aventine secession?
100 antifascist deputies left parliament, claiming that the government was unconstitutional, and created their own parliament
What were the consequences of the Aventine Secession?
- Aventine deputies could not agree on what to do and offered no threat to Mussolini
- Destroyed any chance of parliament winning a vote of no confidence
- Gave the king the excuse to do nothing
- Weaker opposition in parliament
Who still supported Mussolini?
- The King
- The Pope
- Army
- Business
- Political elites
Why did Mussolini still have support ?
- They believed that Mussolini and the PNF were the best option (feared a socialist govt)
- Strong right wing anti-Communist gov appealed to these figures
What did Mussolini do to reassure the political elites?
- Handed the positions of interior and justice minister to nationalists (Ferederzoni and Rocco)
- Ordered the PNF to stop violence although this put pressure on him from his ras
How many votes did Mussolini recieve despite the senate not being packed with Mussolini’s supporters?
225 to 21
What are the 3 key reasons Mussolini was able to survive the crisis?
- Fear of socialism
- Support from the King and elites
- Aventine Secession
How did the crisis increase Mussolini’s power?
- Reduced the strength of anti-fascists in parliament making it easier to pass legislation
- Consolidated and reconfirmed the support of key groups and new groups (e.g. senate)
- Gave Mussolini greater confidence
