Birth Of Fascism

Question 1

What happened in March 1919?

Answer 1

*Mussolini called the inaugural meeting of the ‘Fasci di Combattimento’, attended by only 100 people in Milan.

*It held a wide range of ideologies, including nationalists, republicans, anarchists and futurists – their common ground was a hatred of the Liberal state and for the policies of the Socialists.

Question 2

What policies did nationalists, republicans, anarchists and futurists agree upon

Answer 2

-Establishment of new National Assembly.
-Abolition of the monarchy.
-Abolition of titles of nobility.
-Suppression of major companies and of speculation by banks on stock markets.
-Control of taxation of private wealth + confiscation of unproductive income.
-Workers to have a significant share of their businesses’ profits.

Question 3

1919 Elections

Answer 3

November 1919 elections demonstrated that the Fascist Movement (not yet a party) had failed to make an impact:

-Mussolini failed to become a deputy
-The movement won no seats at all
-At the time only 4000 declared supporters across the country.

However, Mussolini would be saved by the actions of other Italian political groups.