Rise of Fascism in Italy

Question 1

Italy before WW1

Answer 1

1. Northern Italy - industry
2. South of Italy based on agriculture.
3. Large wealth gap in North & South.
4. Lack of stable parliamentary democracy after unification in 1870.
5. Northern industrialisation led to creation of modern urban working class. Envy of wealth of industrialists.
6. Catholic Church opposed Italian unification – land confiscated.
7. Nationalists claimed Italian speaking land from Austria.

Question 2

Impact of WW1

Answer 2

1. Italy divided between pacifists and those who supported fighting.
2. Treaty of London 1915.
3. 600,000 killed – 1 million wounded
4. War debt of 85 billion lire (£85m)
5. Treaty of Versailles – Italy did not get North Tyrol, Dalmatia and Fiume as promised. Opposed by GB and USA
6. D’Annunzio and nationalists occupy city of Fiume.
   7 Rising inflation as government prints money to pay war debt.

Question 3

Causes of Rise of Fascism

Answer 3

1. Resentment at Treaty of Versailles – Italy did not get promised territory. Rise of nationalist feeling (occupation Fiume)
2. Economic depression – rising inflation. Government prints money.
3. Social Unrest – strikes for higher wages to compensate for inflation, land seizures by peasants in the South.
4. Weakness of parliamentary democracy – large number of parties leading to unstable government.
5. Fear of Communism after Russian Revolution – Bolsheviks supported by Socialist Party.
6. Use of propaganda and intimidation by blackshirts. Attacks on striking workers.

Question 4

Fascist Programme

Answer 4

1. Ultra Nationalism – Wanted empire and a restoration of glorious past.
2. Totalitarianism – One party government with one dictator. Complete control of the state.
3. Cult of the Leader – Government with strong rule and under an all-powerful leader.
4. Racism – Superiority of one’s own race. Not as prominent in Italy as in Germany.
5. Anti-Communism – Industrialists and large landowners wanted a force to combat growing support for socialism..

Question 5

Development of Fascism in Italy

Answer 5

1. 1919 - Mussolini established ‘combat groups’ – ‘fascio di Combattimento’
2. Used symbols from Roman Empire.
3. Uniformed blackshirts – ‘squadristi’
4. Support from ex-army officers, students, middle classes.
5. 1921 – Mussolini forms National Fascist Party
6. Financial support from FIAT, Pirelli tyre company and Italian banks.
7. 1921 elections – 35 seats.
8. 1919-1922 – 2,000 opponents killed by fascists.
9. 1922 – Fascists help break a general strike.
10. 1922 – 300,000 members.

Question 6

March on Rome

Answer 6

1. Oct. 1922 – Mussolini demands to be made Prime Minister.
2. Announces ‘March on Rome’
3. Fascists occupy towns across North and Central Italy.
4. King refuses to declare a State of Emergency and use army to crush fascists.
5. King gives in and appoints Mussolini Prime Minister.
6. Fascists stage ‘victory march’ in Rome.