The March On Rome Flashcards
(3 cards)
Mussolini increased pressure on the Liberals, whilst keeping squadristi happy, by agreeing to organise a ‘March on Rome’ on 16 October 1922:
-Squadristi organised into a militia.
-Plans to seize major towns and cities in Northern and Central Italy.
-30,000 Fascists would then converge on Rome and gain power, crushing any resistance
-Whilst the squads and their ras felt their coup was almost at hand, Mussolini intended for the March to be political blackmail.
-Before the March, he argued to key groups that Fascism was not to be feared in power and that it would work with the monarchy and the establishment.
-Mussolini realised the attitude of the King would be crucial – he was commander-in-chief.
-24 October 1922: Mussolini declared in Naples that Fascism would either be appointed or would seize power – no action was taken by authorities.
Timeline of events of the March of Rome
-Night of 27 October 1922: Fascist squads seized town halls, telephone exchanges and railway stations throughout the North (failed in Milan, Bologna, Pisa) Mussolini instructed Blackshirts secretly not to clash with the Army.
-28 October: PM Facta decided to take military action at 2am King Victor Emanuel II agreed to martial law, and Mussolini’s arrest was ordered.
-9am: King changed his mind. Refused to sign martial law into decree which lead Facta to resign. Salandra was appointed to succeed him, who attempted to negotiate some cabinet posts with the Fascists, but Mussolini refused (only interested in becoming PM)
-Other Liberals against a Salandra premiership —> King was forced appoint someone else for the position.
-29 October 1922: Mussolini asked to become PM
-30 October: Mussolini arrived in Rome and was appointed Prime Minister.
How did Mussolini hope to gain power?
-Mussolini was involved in negotiations with various Liberal factions, but did not disclose that his real ambition was to be Prime Minister.
-Whilst the squadristi ras were still looking forward to the prospect of a coup d’état, Mussolini personally hoped to gain power through CONSTITUTIONAL MEANS.
-Mussolini had only just managed to dissuade squadristi from gaining power by force following the General Strike.
