Booklet 4: The Creation And Consolidation Of Mussolinis Dictatorship 1922-1929

Question 1

What problems did Mussolini face when becoming PM in 1922?

Answer 1

123 PSI deputies compared to 35 fascist
Concerned about PNF violence
Could be removed at any point
Didn’t think he would last very long

Question 2

The speech to chamber of deputies nov 1922

Answer 2

Won vote of 306 to 116 to grant Mussolini emergency powers for a year
Intimidated the deputies and demonstrated Mussolini had power

Question 3

Fascist grand council

Answer 3

Created 1922, 22 members, role to discuss and approve gov policy
Helped Mussolini overcome his weak position in cabinet, undermined librals

Question 4

Merging of squads and militia

Answer 4

Jan 1923 squads formed into new voluntary fascist militia
Members took oath of loyalty to Mussolini
Above cabinet, support from military, doesn’t end up working

Question 5

The acerbo law 1923

Answer 5

Any party gaining 25% or more of votes gets 2/3 of seats, retained PR
Liberal elites voted for it, claimed would bring stability, threatened violence if didn’t pass

Question 6

Merger of fascist and nationalist parties 1923

Answer 6

Helped ensure a fascist victory in election
Gained more support as parties combined

Question 7

The election April 1924

Answer 7

Atmosphere of intimidation, vote rigging/corruption, one socialist killed
Mussolini tried to suppress violence, ended up winning 63.3% of vote
Past pms ran on fascist list

Question 8

The Matteotti murder

Answer 8

July 1924, PSU leader seized and murdered, fascist gang called Checka
Found 2 months later in a shallow grave outside Rome

Question 9

Aftermath of Matteotti

Answer 9

3rd jan 1925 speech to COD, denounced violence and corruption, admitted no involvement
Speech signalled movement to totalitarianism

Question 10

12 Jan 1925

Answer 10

Mussolini appoints himself as minister for foreign affairs, war, navy, aviation

Question 11

Feb 1925

Answer 11

Farinaci purged PNF of radicals

Question 12

Oct 1925

Answer 12

All squads disbanded

Question 13

Palazzo vidoni pact

Answer 13

Ends all independent trade unions
Fascist trade unions become only representations of italys workers

Question 14

January 1926

Answer 14

Give Mussolini executive powers, no way for parliament to remove him
Able to make laws by decree
Control on press
Duce of Fascism

Question 15

November 1926

Answer 15

All other political parties are banned
PCI leader in prison

Question 16

Podestas

Answer 16

Local leaders of government
Not like old fascists- no violence

Question 17

Inaction of the king

Answer 17

Didn’t want to make a decision
Hates the left- Mussolini safer option

Question 18

Mistakes of socialists

Answer 18

They walk out of parliament, not allowed back in
Think the king will help them
Fighting amongst themselves

Question 19

OVRA

Answer 19

Secret police created in 26, power to arrest and detain without trial

Question 20

Concordat w pope

Answer 20

1929, guarantees independence of the church