Mussolini and the Fascists' Emergence Flashcards
(27 cards)
Economic conditions in post-war Italy
-Large amounts of debt owed to allied nations such as the United States.
-119% of the GDP was considered public debt by the end of the war, heavy reliance on foreign loans -> Italy struggled to repay these even up to the 1930’s prompting a motivation for Mussolini’s eventual rise to power.
-Inflation and economic stagnation was rampant due to the war economy during world war 1
-The debt held abroad was equivalent to five times Italy’s annual export trade, severely impacting its ability to recover economically
Territorial & National disillusionment
The Treaty of London & Paris Peace Conference essentially backhanded the Italians. This correlates to their little and late intervention in World War 1.
Thus, due to their late changing of sides away from Austro-Hungary & Germany, the territory awarded to them in the Treaty of Versailles & London was viewed as a mutilated victory.
This effectively caused disillusionment within the ex-military, radicalising them to question what they had fought for.
Social and military impact of WW1
Due to Italy’s prominent part on both sides of the war, human casualties were high, with over 600,000 soldiers killed and more than a million wounded.
The sense of a mutilated victory inevitably heightened radicalisation within the country, prompting the rise of extremist groups on both the right and left.
Political consequences of war
Conditions post World War 1 effectively radicalised a growing number of Italians, becoming disillusioned with the government, leading to a period of mistrust.
Instabilità ministrale
A period where there were several different Italian leaders.
Causes for this ministerial instability
Italy’s economic state post WW1, High inflation, tax and debt caused widespread discontent.
Social Unrest ‘Biennio Rosso’ (1919-1920) saw significant strikes and factory occupation, alarming anti communist conservatives.
Weak liberal government, despite being fostered on proportional representation, not a single party held the majority.
The Fiume Incident
-In 1919, nationalist poet Gabrielle D’Annunzio occupied Fiume, a disputed Adriatic port -> occupied with 2000 soldiers out of resentment for the League of Nations and the view of a mutilated defeat.
-D’Annunzio implemented fascist theatrics ie, Roman Salutes and mass rallies.
Mussolini in the early 1900s
-Socialist, influenced by his father’s socialism
-Trade union organising, socialist journalism
1902: Republican nationalist speeches praising Italian nationalists.
1912: Began his political career in 1912 as a socialist newspaper editor for the paper ‘Avanti!’ during his early adulthood. –> Member of PSI.
Mussolini in 1914 (outbreak of WW1)
However, Mussolini’s political stance shifted dramatically during World War I. While the Italian Socialist Party opposed Italy’s entry into the war, Mussolini supported intervention, which led to his expulsion from the party.
He then founded the interventionist newspaper Il Popolo d’Italia in 1914, indicating a shift towards more nationalist and interventionist ideology
Mussolini in 1919
By 1919, Mussolini formally established the Fascist movement in Italy as the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, which later evolved into the National Fascist Party in 1921.
What did the National Fascist Party believe in?
This party combined elements of nationalism, anti-communism, and authoritarianism, reflecting Mussolini’s transformation from a socialist to a fascist leader seeking to unify Italy under a strong, dictatorial state.
Mussolini had the growing belief that Italy needed a strong and dictatorial leader to restore its national strength. Link to Ancient Roman times.
Mussolini’s use of propaganda
-Mussolini’s effective use of propaganda to spread fascist ideology employed the use of newspapers (Il Popolo d’Italia) and public speeches to curate a cult of personality around himself.
-Fear and nationalism: Mussolini played on the fears of communism, promoting a strong nationalist agenda, portraying himself as the saviour of Italy.
Mussolini’s support from the elite
Mussolini garnered support from the elite due to his manipulation of the Bienno Rosso, gaining support from wealthy landowners who feared a socialist revolution.
Violent Fascist groups were seen as justifiable if they prevented the growth of Communism.
Mussolini exploited the sentiment of mutilated victory not only to the elite but towards the entire nation, shifting blame onto the government.
Bienno Rosso (1919-1920)
Two years of intense social unrest and labour agitation in Italy following World War I.
Widespread strikes and factory occupations by workers demanding higher wages and better working conditions.
What did the Bienno Rosso result in
-Peasant land occupations and demands for agrarian reform in rural areas
-Socialist Party (PSI) gains political strength, winning significant local and national elections.
Consequences of the Bienno Rosso
-Heightened fear of socialism and communism among elites.
-Boosted support for Mussolini and the emerging Fascist movement, which positioned itself as a defender against socialist threats.
-Set the stage for the rise of Fascism and Mussolini’s eventual March on Rome in 1922
Causes of the Bienno Rosso
Post-war economic crisis, unemployment, and social inequality fueled worker and peasant demands for a fairer society.
“Two Red Years”
-Period known as the Bienno Rosso
-Due to the socialist and communist activism, and it is considered a critical prelude to Fascist Italy
Purpose of the Blackshirts
Officially formed in 1919, the Blackshirts were Mussolini’s paramilitary arm of the fascist group.
-Engaged in violent clashes with socialists and communists
-Primarily used violence to disrupt social meetings.
-Reflected Muss’s endorsement of political violence as a tool.
Who financed the Blackshirts?
-Supported by industrialists and landowners who feared a socialist uprising, seeing Fascism as a way to protect their interests.
Tactics of the Blackshirts
Typically resorted to public showings of violence through beatings and arson.
Fascist popularity
Rose rapidly due to the failed liberal government, which was ineffective in addressing the economic and social issues -> the government’s open toleration of the fascists was a direct result of a fear of the left and the fear of revolution.
Mussolini’s cult of personality
-Mussolini skillfully positioned himself as a strong leader who could restore order and national pride.
-His charisma and oratory skills helped build a cult of personality, which attracted support from various sectors, including some government officials.
Mussolini in Coalition Politics
-Mussolini was elected to the Italian Parliament in the general election held in 1921
-He ran as part of the National Bloc, a coalition that included Fascists invited by Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti to join the governing alliance.
-Marked Mussolini’s first entry into Parliament and a significant step in his political rise.
