1918-22 (formation of dictator)

Question 1

Which battle brought the war with Austria Hungary to an end

Answer 1

Vittorio veneto

Question 2

Give two reasons for tension in rural areas in the south following WW1

Answer 2

More southerners were drafted for the war than northerners
Those conscripted from the south were treated very poorly by commanders

Question 3

When did the Paris peace conference take place

Answer 3

January 1919 - 1920

Question 4

Who was Italy’s representative at the conference

Answer 4

Orlando

Question 5

Give two promises made at the treaty of London in 1915

Answer 5

they were promised land ( istria, south istrol, Dalmatian islands)

Question 6

Why did Italy have a relatively poor case for occupying Fiume

Answer 6

They argued that Fiume had many Italians, however Italian speakers were a minority in Fiume

Question 7

What expression did D’Annunzio use to describe Italy’s position following WW1?

Answer 7

“Mutilated Victory”

Question 8

Name two territories that Italy managed to acquire as a result of the treaty of Versailles

Answer 8

south istrol
Trieste
Trentino

Question 9

What does “Cagoia” means and who was referred to as this

Answer 9

Francesco nitti was called this by Italian nationalists
It means “abject coward”

Question 10

Who led the occupation of Fiume?

Answer 10

Gabriel D’Annunzio

Question 11

When did the occupation of Fiume take place?

Answer 11

September 1919 - December 1920

Question 12

Name two ways in which the occupation of Fiume Inspired the later fascist state:

Answer 12

• having his men wear black shirts
• the use of violence (torture, fear on the streets…)
• inspired Mussolini to believe that taking action had a good outcome
• giving speeches , having rallies + dramatist
• the use of clubs, castor oil treatment

Question 13

Give two reasons why unemployment was so high after WW1

Answer 13

• many returning soldiers did not receive their previous jobs
• many industries thrived during the war time but now had no demand

Question 14

What’s event in which country inspired the strikes and militant activity in post-war Italy?

Answer 14

The Russian Revolution

Question 15

What were the two years of intensive industrial unrest referred to as?

Answer 15

Biennio Rosso
1919-1920
Italy’s “two red years”

Question 16

Give two specific examples of strikes which took place during this time period

Answer 16

• railway strikes
• army strikes

Question 17

Explain two changes made to elections before the 1919 election

Answer 17

Men over 21 could vote regardless of literacy
Increase in votes

Question 18

What was the PPI and when was it set up?

Answer 18

The catholic party
January 1919

Question 19

How did this pose a threat to Italy’s liberals

Question 20

How did the fascists fare in the 1919 election

Answer 20

They received 0 seats

Question 21

What type of government was formed as a result of this election and why?

Answer 21

A liberal coalition government was formed as no one party got a majority due to proportional representation

Question 22

What event took place in northern Italy in 1920 that helped convince Italians that they were on the verge of a socialist revolution

Answer 22

Biennio Rosso

Question 23

Which paper did Mussolini still use to spread fascist ideas in the early 20’s

Answer 23

Il popolo d’Italia

Question 24

What were the squads ?

Answer 24

The squadristi, black shirts , the PNF’s personal army/militia

Question 25

What tactics did the black shirts use to exert their authority

Answer 25

Violence:
- castor oil treatment
- clubs etc.
Fought other political parties militias
Intimidation (at polling etc.)
Targeting left wing individuals
Torched offices for left wing parties

Question 26

What was the name of the policy used by Mussolini to keep both extreme and moderate right wingers happy

Answer 26

Dual policy

Question 27

What was the result of the 1921 election

Answer 27

They now had 85 seats in government

Question 28

Provide the names of two policies dropped by the fascists between 1921-1922

Answer 28

• anti papal values (anti RCC)
• female suffrage

Question 29

Who resigned after this election any why ?

Answer 29

Giolitti
He tried his usual tactics of trying to absorb the other groups but it was ineffective.
Politics was too Polarized

Question 30

What was the pact of pacification?

Answer 30

Trying to work with socialist + trade unions
Trying to convince people that racism can work for workers

Question 31

Name one fascist leader who rejected it

Answer 31

Italo Balbo

Question 32

What was the PNF

Answer 32

The partito nationalista facista
The fascist party

Question 33

Give two ways in which this resembled a ‘respectable party

Answer 33

Had its own manifesto
Had a leader

Question 34

Where was the PNF based

Answer 34

Milan

Question 35

Give two ideas in the party’s “new programme” that would appeal ordinary Italians

Answer 35

• set working hours (8hr working day)
• anti socialist
• more land (irredente lands)
• patriotism
• fairer taxes
• more Mediterranean influence
• nationalisation of industry

Question 36

Give two reasons why support for the ppi was waning by this stage

Answer 36

• the pope rescinded his support for the PPI
• the PNF adopted many rules to attract catholic support

Question 37

Who were Vecchi and Balbo

Answer 37

They were leading fascist party members

Question 38

What was the name of the king who ultimately made Mussolini PM

Answer 38

Victor Emmanuel III

Question 39

On what date was Mussolini officially sworn in

Answer 39

30th October 1922

Question 40

Why did VE3 not stop the fascists taking control in 1922

Answer 40

• scared of socialists (revolution)
• pressure from his cousin who was a fascist supporter (his rival)
• believed Mussolini could offer the country progression
• had little faith that the army would intervene
• liberal politicians had supported Mussolini (e.g. Salandra)

Question 41

Who could have/did stand in Mussolini’s way in 1922

Answer 41

• PSI,PPI,PCI
• other coalition members (there were only 4 fascist members in the government)
• VEIII
• the ras
• industrialists
• RCC

Question 42

Why did the conservative and liberals allow Mussolini emergency powers (nov 1922)

Answer 42

• so he could oppose socialism
• they wanted him to oversee political reform
• they thought Mussolini could be controlled
• they believed it was temporary (he was only granted one year)
• they believed after this fascism could be absorbed

Question 43

How did Mussolini ensure support from the RCC

Answer 43

• baptised his children
• attacked freemasonry
• banned contraception
• increased clerical salaries
• introduced religious education

Question 44

‘Leggi Fascistissime’ law passed from December 1925

Answer 44

• banned all opposition parties
• more press censorship
• oVRA (secret police)
• special tribunal for defence of state
• replacing local mayors with a pedesta (local leading fascist)

Question 45

Acerbo law - July 1923

Answer 45

• Mussolini changed the electoral system
• -he proposed normal general elections but the part that won the most votes (at least 25%) of votes would get 2/3 of the seats