The creation of a fascist dictatorship Flashcards
(35 cards)
when did mussolini get granted ability to rule by decree
nov 1922, only meant to last 12 months, promised he would establish stability and deal with left
how many deputies were fascist in 1922
only 32/535, needed to expand influence in the chamber
describe what mussolinis 1922 speech was about
-demanded full powers to govern himself
-promised to uphold law even against fascist violence but still made clear he would dissolve chamber when in emergency
-because of threats of left ect., italian deputies including the liberals granted him powers for one yr only
how many voted in favour of giving M emergency powers in 1922
196 to 16 in favour
what were main goals of M when becoming PM
-get majority and influence in chamber
-centralise the PNF and squadristi
-needed to keep support of squadristi but also maintain reputation of being the only man to control violence
who was made party secretary
farinacci
how did M control the PNF
-knew he couldnt listen to farinacci to get rid of other parties as not in that position yet
-made farinacci party secretary so had more control over radical fascists
-sent vecchi to govern somaliland
-followed a policy of normalisation (end violence and follow normal constitutional methods to maintain consent and support)
how did M solve issue of squadristi violence
-create fascist militia MSVN in jan 1923 to ‘defend fascist revolution’
-M was leader of MSVN so could easily exert more control than any squadristi
-made former army officers in charge of local units, weakend authority of ras
-led to expulsion of over 200 ras from fascist party
-in reality didnt have much control, only aided M in control of fascist movement
-took oath of loyalty to M and not king of government
when was MSVN created and how many members
jan 1923, 300,000 black shirts paid directly from state
when was fascist grand council created
-dec 1922, reassured leading fascists of their significance
-acted as a consultive committee where fascists meet to discuss issues
what were the purpose of fascist grand council
-another mechanism to exert control in PNF
-meant to discuss and approve policy before it was sent to the cabinet for approval
-new policies created by fascists themselves and not elected parliament
how much did PNF membership grow in 1922-1923
oct 1922 - 300,000
end of 1923 - 780,000
-helped to dilute any radicals who opposed policy of normalisation
-HOWEVER many only joined because of career advancement/patronage the party could offer instead of being true fascist believers
when did italian nationalists decide to disband their organisations and merge with PNF
feb 1923, included elite, helped to weaken extreme radicals so M could exert more control of PNF
What was acerbo law
-got rid of proportional representation
-votes cast totalled and party who got most immediately gets 2/3 of seats in chamber BUT also dependent on if they get 25% of votes cast
-remaining 1/3 allocated to other lists in accordance to proportion of vote
when was acerbo law passed
jul 1923, came into effect in april 1924 elections
was acerbo law supported
-supported by fascists and liberals who wanted end of political instability
-thought it could undermine the socialists
-M argued it would result in a government that had support of majority of MPs that could act decisively
-end of weak coalitions
how did M get acerbo law to be passed
-used armed black shirts to be present in the chamber to intimidate politicians
-M decision to pass laws favourable to the church e.g. education allowed ot get support from pope who pressured the popolari not to oppose acerbo law
-nationalists and liberals supported
how many voted in favour for acerbo law
235 against 139 in favour of acerbo law in jul 1923
what were results of april 1924 elections
-fascists joined forces with liberals e.g. salandra
-fascists got 66% , didnt need acerbo law anyways
-number of fascist deputies increased from 35 to 374, clear majority
-success partially due to intimidation of blackshirts and ballot rigging
-other opposition e.g. socialists still got 2.5 mill votes
-still didnt have power of a dictator
when did matteotti give evidence that the apr 1924 elections were rigged
may 1924 socialist matteotti gave evidence to parliament that fascist use of terror influenced the election outcome
-called for annulment of the results and new elections
-was then kidnapped and murdered by fascists
consequences of matteotti crisis
-Public were ouraged – ppl knew it was political murder, protests erupted, conservatives feared fascists went to far
-Aventine succession
-M comeback and dictatorship – after Matteotti he laid low then gave a speech “if fascism has been a criminal association, I am responsible”
-He didn’t admit murder but claimed full responsibility – used it to crush opposition
-International image damaged
what was the aventine succession
-150 opposition MPs walked out of italian parliament to protest against Matteotti crisis
-Aimed to denounce M and fascist violence, pressured king to dismiss M, avoided legitimising the regime by staying in a corrupt government
consequences of aventine succession
- King didn’t act – weak and indecisive, feared civil war if he dismissed M if could empower the left
- M used it to his advantage – if opposition gone then theres no meaningful resistance in parliament, could then pass laws without challenge
- Failed to stop fascism, instead of isolating M they isolated themselves
what did M do to secure position after matteotti crisis
-press censorship in jul 1924
-all meetings of opposition partes banned august 1924
-led to leading liberals to be openly critical
