Collapse of Liberal Italy/ Rise of Facism Flashcards
What was Mussolini’s background before he was the leader of the Fascist Party?
- Grew up socialist
- Jailed for socialist activities and was editor of socialist newspaper in 1910
- Expelled from socialist party for supporting WW1
Describe the Fascist vision in 1919
- Italy led by the ex-servicemen of WW1 - trincerocrazia created by the military bond help to govern
- A politically, economically and socially united country
- Nationalism was key
Describe the Fascist views of labour in 1919
- 8hr working day
- Minimum wage with workers representatives
- Establish same confidence in labour unions as given to industry executives
Describe the Fascist views of taxation/govt. ownership in 1919
- Strong progressive tax on capital
- Revision of military contracts and seizure of 85% of their profits
- Armermanets factories nationalised
- Reorganisation of the railways and transport sector
What did the Fascists want to do with military affairs in 1919?
- Create short-service national militia
* Peaceful but competitive foreign policy
What were the opinions of the church, monarch and social elites in 1919?
- Anti-clerical & wanted to confiscate all their property
- Abolition of bishoprics
- Create a republic
- Remove all noble titles
What did Fascist produce in May 1920?
The New Programme
What was the Fascist’s vision under the New Programme?
- A politically, economically and socially united country
* Nationalism was key
Describe the New Programme’s labour policy
- Anti-socialist, with fascist unions to replace current once
- No mention of minimum wage
Describe the New Programme’s taxation policy
- No mention of nationalisation. but nationalised industries to be privatised
- Proportional tax system
Describe the New Programme’s foreign policy
- Compulsory military service
- Raise Italy to great power status
- Provide training for future soldiers through education
Describe the New Programme’s attitudes towards the church, monarchy and elites
No attacks on any of these groups, their property or power
When and how was the fascist party formed?
- 23rd March 1919
* Mussolini called together representatives of round 20 ex-servicemen leagues to form the Fasci di Combattimento/Fasci
Why did the squadristi form?
- Early fascist predominately made up of arditi - crack troop commandoes formed following Caparetto, wore black shirts associated with the fascist movement
- Formed themselves into small, military units called squadristi
How did WW1 contributes to the growth of the Fascist party between 1919-1922?
- The war created a strong culture of violence amongst the returning soldiers
- They begun to view the socialists as an internal threat within Italy
- The Mutilated Victory highlighted the weakness of the liberal government, turned military against them
- Alignment with the militaristic views of the PNF who promised a better solution to the post war problems