1922-28 Mussolini's Consolidation of Power Flashcards
Why was Mussolini’s position of minister of the interior important?
It gave him control over the police
What did Mussolini use the threat of fascist violence to do?
Intimidate parliament
What did Mussolini try to persuade MPs about granting him dictatorial powers?
- He claimed that they would be acting in their own interest and the interests of Italy itself
- Tried to convince them that the breakdown of law and order was so serious and the threat of socialist revolution so great that extraordinary measures were needed to deal with the situation
What did Mussolini say he would do once the country had been stabilised?
He said he would give up his special powers and return to normal parliamentary rule
Why did the conservatives and liberals support Mussolini’s request for special powers?
- They were mesmerised by the supposed threat from the left
- They genuinely believed the assurances that Mussolini would relinquish power once normality had been restored
What did MPs remain convinced that Mussolini could be transformed into?
A traditional, respectable PM whose movement could be found a place within the regime
How did Mussolini take immediate action to increase his power upon becoming PM?
He demanded parliament give him the right to rule by decree for 12 months. This would allow him to impose new laws without consulting parliament
How did Mussolini justify his demand that he be allowed to rule by decree?
He stated that only a strong government could carry out the stern measures that were required to restore law and order and put the country back on its feet
How did Mussolini fare in his attempt to be given the right to rule by decree?
MPs gave him a massive vote of confidence. Only the socialists and communists opposed the motion, with Giolitti, Salandra and Facta all offering their support
What was the grand council of fascism?
The supreme body within the fascist movement, which discussed policy proposals and made all key appointments within the party
Why did Mussolini create the grand council of fascism?
In order to try and increase his authority within his own party
How did Mussolini use the grand council to increase his power within the fascist party?
He gave himself the right to make all appointments to the grand council
Why did Mussolini encourage fascist violence?
To deter political opponents
How did Mussolini manage to convince conservative businessmen that he wasn’t radical?
By deciding not attack the wirdespread tax evasion
What did Mussolini try to do to gain support from the church?
He intended to ban contraception and make religious education compulsory in state schools
How did Church support prove beneficial for Mussolini?
The Pope began to withdraw support from the Popolari, to the point of instructing its leader, the priest Don Sturzo, to leave Italy. This meant that the Popolari had dropped from the governing coalition by 1923, as it had lost the backing of catholic conservatives. This meant that its political significance was now effectively at an end
List the four key groups that Mussolini gained the support of in his first year as PM, as a result of his reassurances and concessions
- Liberals
- Conservatives
- The church
- Business
Why had the 4 key groups decided to give Mussolini their support?
- Most had convinced themselves that he was a man who could destroy socialism and inject energy and dynamism into Italian politics
- They believed Mussolini could be influenced or perhaps even controlled
- They saw him as a PM who wanted to share power rather than monopolise it for himself
Who put mussolini under pressure to take power?
The ras
What happened on the 24th October 1922
A fascist Congress was held in naples
Who was the march on Rome in tradition of?
Garibaldi
What happened on the 27th October?
- fascist squads prepared to seize public buildings
- 10,000 men assembled 20 miles outside of Rome, ready to march into the city the next day
What did Mussolini proclaim on the eve of the march
‘either the government will be given to us or we shall take it, descending upon Rome. it is now a question of days, perhaps hours
What assuaged mussolinis doubts about the march?
- he felt there was more of a problem if he resisted his most aggressive fascists
- he thought the threat of a fascist march could intimidate the king into appointing him
10,000 squadristi assembled outside of Rome. How many were supposed to be there?
50,000