Consolidation of Power 1922-26 Flashcards
Key issues facing Mussolini when he becomes PM
Squads called for further radicalisation
Historically, Italian PMs were short-lived
Only 35 Fascist deputies in Parliament
PSI (rivals) still dominated Parliament
Inital Political absorbtion
Catholic Support - Increased the clerical pay, reinstate crucifixes in schools, appointed PPI Cavazzonii as minister of work = increased support from the Vatian
ANI - In Feb 1923, the ANI were officially absorbed into the PNF.
Actions to control the PNF
Fascist Grand Council created (1922) - rival cabinet, undermined liberal govt. + M controlled members
MVSN (1923) - formalised the Squadristi’s role, loyalty oath to Mussolini - reduce their power to gain elites support
Diluted role of Ras
Party members doubled after March on Rome = 783,000 members.
In Nov 1922 - ceased all squad violence - unpopular - 31st Dec = squad leaders threatened to remove him.
Oct. 1923 = all ras forced to dispand remaining squads.
Turati (PNF secretary - 1926) - states Prefects > Ras
Significance of the Acerbo Law
2/3 of the seats would go to any party who recieved more than 25% of the votes.
Greater stability to Italian Parliament
Opposed - PCI / PSI
Supported - Liberal elites (Giolitti), King, Vatican
Fascists held demonstrations to ensure the bill was passed.
Never needed - 1924 Election = 66% fascists vote.
1924 Elections - Key features
Called after the passing of the Acerbo Law
Violence + Intimidation
Destruction of opposition clubs + offices
Murdered PSI candidate - Piccinini.
64% electoral turnout
Fascists gained 66% of the vote - Acerbo not needed
35 deputies to 275 deputies
PSI/PCI + PPI - held 80 seats
Significance of the Matteotti Murder
1924
PCI candidate in 1924 election
10th June - Kidnapped
16th August - Body found outside rome.
Elites did not want to support a murderous PM
PCI/PSI called for the dismissal of Mussolini
Ras saw the murder as first step in revolution
Aventine Seccession
Aventine Seccession
June 1924
100 Anti-Fascists leave parliament
King / Vatican maintained support for Mussolini
Legislation was passed easily
Fractured seccession - insignificant threat
Establishment of the Dictatorship
3rd January 1925 - speech announcin dictatorship
Personal dictatorship, not a PNF one
12th January - formed a new cabinet - M took most roles
Feb - Farinacci appointed PNF secretary
- increased membership 600k to 938k, diluted radicals
Title of PM changed to Head of Govt + Duce of Facsism (1925)
Vote of no confidence abolished (1925)
Jan 1926 - Mussolini could rule by decree
Aventine Deputies banned from Parliament
Replaced local mayors with Podestas - elected by Mussolini’s appointed prefects
How did Mussolini create support for dictatorship (army + TU)
Military = Increased pay / appointed Badoglio (conservative monarchist) Chief of General staff
Trade Unions = Palazzo Vidoni Pact (1925) - official fascist union replaced socialist + catholic unions.
Use of repression
Press law (1925) - all journalism was supervised by the state.
1925 - Law passed allowing the firing public servants whose actions were hostile to the PNF.
Tito Zaniboni (socialist deputy) was arrested (1925) - alledged assassination attempts. - Mussolini bans the PSU
Oct 1926 - Assassination attempt - all parties banned
Special Tribunal for the defence of the State - no righ to appeal (1926)
Estimated that 10,000 antifascists left Italy
