Consolidation of Power Flashcards
0
Q
How many Fascists, other than Mussolini, were in his first government?
A
3
1
Q
In what month and year was Mussolini appointed PM?
A
October 1922
2
Q
For how long was Mussolini initially given the power to rule by decree?
A
12 months
3
Q
Mussolini organised the squads into a new, more controlled body - what was it called?
A
MSVN or militia
4
Q
Mussolini further controlled his own party by setting up what organisation?
A
The Fascist Grand Council
5
Q
What was the name of the law Mussolini introduced to change the voting system in 1923 and what did the law state?
A
Acerbo Law
The biggest party would get 2/3 of the seats provided they got at least 25% of the votes
6
Q
In what year was the first election contested under the Acerbo Law?
A
1924
7
Q
Which Socialist politician spoke out most strongly about fascist intimidation and cheating during the 1924 election?
A
Giacomo Matteotti
8
Q
How long was the crisis following Matteotti’s disappearance and murder?
A
6 months
9
Q
What name was given to the walk out of democratic MPs from parliament in protest?
A
Aventine Secession
10
Q
When was the speech marking the end of the M crisis and a move towards dictatorship?
A
Jan 1925
11
Q
What was the name of the collection of laws passed in December 1925 that banned opposition parties?
A
The Leggi Fascistissime
12
Q
What was the name of the new secret police and in what year was it set up?
A
OVRA
1926
13
Q
What was the name of the big deal M made with the church and what year was it signed?
A
Lateran Treaty or Concordat
1929
14
Q
How was the Pope compensated for the loss of the Papal States in 1870?
A
Sovereignty of the Vatican City or financially
15
Q
What was the most significant achievement of the deal with the church for Mussolini?
A
The Pope formally recognised his authority as leader of a United Italy.
16
Q
What political changes and compromises did Mussolini make to consolidate power?
A
Set up a national government (coalition)
Fascists in charge of key ministries and local gov in many places
Squads became organised Fascist militia called MSVN
Set up Fascist Grand Council
17
Q
What did the Fascist Grand Council do?
A
Consolidated Mussolini’s decisions
18
Q
What other factors were in Mussolini’s favour?
A
Many people desired a strong government, even if they disagreed with his ideas
19
Q
How did Mussolini get control of the political establishment?
A
They already supported him because they thought they could manipulate him and use the PNFs strength to their advantage.
He knew this and outmanoeuvred them.
20
Q
How long did it take Mussolini to fully consolidate power compared to how long it took Hitler?
A
Mussolini took about 3-4 years
Hitler took about 3-4 months
21
Q
Who was Giolitti?
A
Liberal politician Salandra was his rival PM 3 times Always influential Blamed for compromising with Mussolini and failing to stop rise of Fascism
22
Q
Who was Salandra?
A
PM 1914-16
Conservative but also quite Nationalist
Started off supporting Mussolini and advised King to appoint him
Later opposed Fascism
23
Q
What did Giolitti and Salandra do that helped Mussolini?
A
Voted in favour for him to rule by decree
24
Why did nationalists like Mussolini/Fascist party?
Liked anti-communism and foreign policy
25
Did the armed forces support Mussolini? How did he gain more support from them?
They mainly supported him although they were divided over this in 1922
When he came to power they all supported him so he had quite a lot of control over them.
He promised to modernise and expand armed forces.
26
Did landowners support Mussolini? How did he increase support/control?
Disliked him at first - thought regime would lead to illegal land grabbing and breaking up of large estates.
Mussolini's reassurance that they would be left alone and policies such as ruralisation and Battle for Grain caused them to support them.
27
Did industrialists support Mussolini?
| How did he increase support/control?
Alarmed by fascists proposals to reorganise industry into corporations
He won them over by restricting the bargaining rights of trade unions
28
How did Mussolini try to gain more support from the Catholic Church?
Toned down anti catholic attacks
| Promised to ban contraception and introduce religious education into secondary schools.
29
Why did the King feel forced to appoint Mussolini as PM?
Feared civil war
Didn't think army would be willing to act against them
Mother and cousin were pro-Fascist (cousin had huge influence over army)
Fascist movement was full of ex-soldiers
Some generals and senior officers were sympathetic to Fascists
==> He felt intimidated
30
How was the PSI (socialists) weakened?
Communists split off from them
Fascist violence
Rise of catholic and fascist TUs took members away from their TUs
They were left divided and demoralised
31
How many socialists were killed due to Fascist violence from 1920 - Oct 1922?
Around 3,000
32
Why did the communists gain support and how did Mussolini deal with them?
Gained support in industrial centres such as Turin and gained control of many local governments
Squads forcibly removed many elected officials from office
33
What did liberal parties think of Mussolini?
Many supported him because he provided stability
| A few opposed him but were too few to be effective
34
When was the Acerbo Law passed?
July 1923
35
Why was the Acerbo Law passed?
Mussolini used the argument that Italy needed a strong government after so many unstable coalitions
People thought it was necessary
Intimidation by blackshirts during election
Mussolini promised to return to 'normality' after
Giolitti and Salandra voted in favour
36
Why was the Acerbo Law helpful for Mussolini?
Allowed him to break free from coalition government and gain real political power
PNF couldn't reach 50%, which was the usual requirement for majority but they could get 25%
37
When was the first election after the Acerbo Law was passed?
April 1924
38
How many votes did the Fascists gain in the election?
375 out of 535
39
Why did the fascists gain so many votes in the election?
Election fought with many conservative and liberal alliances
Intimidation from blackshirts
Fascists rigged election
40
Who was Matteotti?
Leader of the Reformist Socialists
Openly opposed to Fascism
Had acquired info of Fascist financial scandals
41
What did Matteotti do and when?
30th May 1924 (6 weeks after election)
Launched an attack on attack on fascist violence, intimidation and ballot rigging in order to increase votes (it was a speech)
42
How did Mussolini react to Matteotti's speech?
Initially furious
Saw him as a real threat
Wrote an unsigned letter in 'Il Popolo d'Italia', denouncing his speech and threatening to take revenge
Later calmed down and made a speech in parliament in a attempt to win over Socialists
43
What happened after Mussolini's speech in parliament to the Socialists?
(3 days later)
Matteotti was kidnapped and murdered by a gang of unarmed men
Wasn't found until two months later
Caused a lot of trouble for Mussolini
44
What was later found out about the murder of Matteotti?
Attack believed to be done by fascist thugs
Eyewitness accounts showed that number plate of car that kidnapped him belonged to the leader of a Fascist punishment squad called the Cheka
45
What did people think about Matteotti's murder?
Clear that it was a fascist crime but unsure whether it was under Mussolini's orders
Arguments suggesting that the thugs chose to do it themselves were weak
46
How did Matteotti's murder affect Mussolini?
His position was very vulnerable in the months following his death
Still had political opponents, King could dismiss him
Opponents could have easily organised political campaign to weaken him
47
What could the other parties have done to react to the Matteotti Affair?
They could have exploited his position in parliament, putting him under so much pressure that the King would have had to intervene.
48
What was the Aventine Secession?
The Liberals and Reformist Socialists walked out of parliament when Mussolini was making a speech.
49
Why did the other politicians do the Aventine Secession?
To show their disgust for Mussolini and make him realise how corrupt he was compared to the opposition.
50
What happened after the AS and how did it benefit Mussolini?
Mussolini was free to make speeches to fascist supporters
The King ignored the opposition
Mussolini could now wait for the protest to die down and win a vote in parliament
51
When did Mussolini make a speech to parliament?
3rd January 1925
52
What did Mussolini say in his speech?
He had nothing to do with Matteotti's murder and those involved would be tried and punished
He blamed democratic parties for being cowardly
Took full responsibility for Fascism 'for all that's happened'
53
Main reasons for Mussolini surviving the Matteotti Affair?
King had already made up his mind about him in Oct 1922
Already won elections with huge majority
Democratic parties made wrong decision
Opposition couldn't unite around single leader
Army didn't intervene
Mussolini dealt with crisis carefully and skilfully
54
Name for Mussolini meaning leader
Il Duce
55
What was cult of the leader?
Mussolini had to be presented as a great, charismatic leader
His picture was everywhere e.g. In newspapers
Sometimes changes pictures of him to make him seem stronger
56
How else did Mussolini use propaganda to consolidate power?
Streets and squares named after him
Cinema audiences had to stand when he appeared on film
His face was everywhere, his speeches were heard everywhere
'Mussolini is always right'
57
What could the other parties have done to react to the Matteotti Affair?
They could have exploited his position in parliament, putting him under so much pressure that the King would have had to intervene.
58
What was the Aventine Secession?
The Liberals and Reformist Socialists walked out of parliament when Mussolini was making a speech.
59
Why did the other politicians do the Aventine Secession?
To show their disgust for Mussolini and make him realise how corrupt he was compared to the opposition.
60
What happened after the AS and how did it benefit Mussolini?
Mussolini was free to make speeches to fascist supporters
The King ignored the opposition
Mussolini could now wait for the protest to die down and win a vote in parliament
61
When did Mussolini make a speech to parliament?
3rd January 1925
62
What did Mussolini say in his speech?
He had nothing to do with Matteotti's murder and those involved would be tried and punished
He blamed democratic parties for being cowardly
Took full responsibility for Fascism 'for all that's happened'
63
Main reasons for Mussolini surviving the Matteotti Affair?
King had already made up his mind about him in Oct 1922
Already won elections with huge majority
Democratic parties made wrong decision
Opposition couldn't unite around single leader
Army didn't intervene
Mussolini dealt with crisis carefully and skilfully
64
Name for Mussolini meaning leader
Il Duce
65
What was cult of the leader?
Mussolini had to be presented as a great, charismatic leader
His picture was everywhere e.g. In newspapers
Sometimes changes pictures of him to make him seem stronger
66
How else did Mussolini use propaganda to consolidate power?
Streets and squares named after him
Cinema audiences had to stand when he appeared on film
His face was everywhere, his speeches were heard everywhere
'Mussolini is always right'
67
What could the other parties have done to react to the Matteotti Affair?
They could have exploited his position in parliament, putting him under so much pressure that the King would have had to intervene.
68
What was the Aventine Secession?
The Liberals and Reformist Socialists walked out of parliament when Mussolini was making a speech.
69
Why did the other politicians do the Aventine Secession?
To show their disgust for Mussolini and make him realise how corrupt he was compared to the opposition.
70
What happened after the AS and how did it benefit Mussolini?
Mussolini was free to make speeches to fascist supporters
The King ignored the opposition
Mussolini could now wait for the protest to die down and win a vote in parliament
71
When did Mussolini make a speech to parliament?
3rd January 1925
72
What did Mussolini say in his speech?
He had nothing to do with Matteotti's murder and those involved would be tried and punished
He blamed democratic parties for being cowardly
Took full responsibility for Fascism 'for all that's happened'
73
Main reasons for Mussolini surviving the Matteotti Affair?
King had already made up his mind about him in Oct 1922
Already won elections with huge majority
Democratic parties made wrong decision
Opposition couldn't unite around single leader
Army didn't intervene
Mussolini dealt with crisis carefully and skilfully
74
Name for Mussolini meaning leader
Il Duce
75
What was cult of the leader?
Mussolini had to be presented as a great, charismatic leader
His picture was everywhere e.g. In newspapers
Sometimes changes pictures of him to make him seem stronger
76
How else did Mussolini use propaganda to consolidate power?
Streets and squares named after him
Cinema audiences had to stand when he appeared on film
His face was everywhere, his speeches were heard everywhere
'Mussolini is always right'
77
What could the other parties have done to react to the Matteotti Affair?
They could have exploited his position in parliament, putting him under so much pressure that the King would have had to intervene.
78
What was the Aventine Secession?
The Liberals and Reformist Socialists walked out of parliament when Mussolini was making a speech.
79
Why did the other politicians do the Aventine Secession?
To show their disgust for Mussolini and make him realise how corrupt he was compared to the opposition.
80
What happened after the AS and how did it benefit Mussolini?
Mussolini was free to make speeches to fascist supporters
The King ignored the opposition
Mussolini could now wait for the protest to die down and win a vote in parliament
81
When did Mussolini make a speech to parliament?
3rd January 1925
82
What did Mussolini say in his speech?
He had nothing to do with Matteotti's murder and those involved would be tried and punished
He blamed democratic parties for being cowardly
Took full responsibility for Fascism 'for all that's happened'
83
Main reasons for Mussolini surviving the Matteotti Affair?
King had already made up his mind about him in Oct 1922
Already won elections with huge majority
Democratic parties made wrong decision
Opposition couldn't unite around single leader
Army didn't intervene
Mussolini dealt with crisis carefully and skilfully
84
Name for Mussolini meaning leader
Il Duce
85
What was cult of the leader?
Mussolini had to be presented as a great, charismatic leader
His picture was everywhere e.g. In newspapers
Sometimes changes pictures of him to make him seem stronger
86
How else did Mussolini use propaganda to consolidate power?
Streets and squares named after him
Cinema audiences had to stand when he appeared on film
His face was everywhere, his speeches were heard everywhere
'Mussolini is always right'
87
Why was Mussolini lucky when he first came to power?
Came to power when Italy was relatively successful economically which boosted his popularity
88
What and when was the Palazzo Vidoni Pact?
Oct 1925
TUs under fascist control
Strengthened position of employers
89
What did the Leggi Fascistissime do?
Dec 1925
Mussolini became head of gov instead of PM
Banned opposition parties
Tighter censorship of press
Jan 1926
Mussolini had permanent powers to rule by decree
90
What and when was the Syndical Law?
April 1926
Strikes made illegal
Foundations for corporate state
91
What was the Press Law?
Suppressed remaining independent newspapers
| Tightened press censorship
92
What and when was the Charter of Labour?
April 1927
| Forced fascist TUs and employers to enter legal binding contracts
93
How did Mussolini increase his control over the Fascist Party?
```
1925- Farinacci supervised violence against Fascism
Farinacci later sacked (1926)
Party Statute Oct 1926
Balbo sent to Libya
Grandi ambassador in London
```
94
What did the Party Statute do?
Ended election of party officials and weakened the ras.
95
What helped justify Mussolini establishing a police state?
4 attempts to assassinate him between Nov 1925 and Oct 1926
96
What did Mussolini do to establish a police state?
Powers to imprison people without trial for 'special crimes'
Law for Defence of the State
OVRA established
97
What was the Law for the Defence of the State and when was it introduced?
Dec 1926
| Death penalty for those who tried to kill members of gov or royal family
98
What did OVRA do and when was it introduced?
1927
Secret police
Organisation for Vigilance and Repression against Anti-Fascism
More systematic than militia but did the same job
99
What happened to political prisoners?
Sent to camps of Mediterranean Islands
Only about 4,000 prisoners at once
However, still deterred opposition
100
How was Mussolini made to seem like a great leader?
Said to work 20 hours a day
'Mussolini is always right'
'Man of action'
101
How was threat of the King reduced?
Limited power
Had to select PM from list drawn up by Fascist Council
In 1928 he lost the right to choose PM
102
How did Mussolini reduce the power of parliament?
Gave himself important jobs like Foreign Minister and Home Secretary
1926 - parliament doesn't do much
1939 - abolishes itself
103
How did Mussolini control important jobs?
Didn't really need to because they already supported him
15% of civil service were fascist
Fired some judges
Police Chief Bocchini (1926-40) was non-fascist
104
What was the new Pope called?
Pius XI
105
How did Mussolini change to please the Church/Pope?
```
Converted to Catholicism
Baptised children
Had religious wedding
Removed anti-church things he had written from circulation e.g. 'God does not exist'
Outlawed masons
Exempted some church men from taxes
Gave catholic banks money
1925 was 'Holy Year'
```
106
Mussolini's policies to please the church
1924 punishment for anyone publicly advocating birth control
1926 Battle for Births
Campaigned against alcoholism
107
What did the Battle for Births do?
Aimed to increase Italian population
In 25 years BM wanted it to grow from 40-60M
Loans to families, for each child they had they didn't have to pay as much back
More than 6 children - no tax
Unmarried men taxed higher
108
What did the Pope/Church gain from the Concordat?
£30M compensation for loss of territories in 1870
Religious education compulsory in schools
Civil marriage banned
Divorce outlawed
Vatican City recognised as state with Pope as head
109
What did Mussolini gain from the Concordat?
Support from Catholics
Anti-fascist activity by Catholics virtually eliminated
Approved and supported by vast network of priests
110
How did the Concordat increase support/legitimacy for Mussolini?
1st time in 60 years Pope had fully supported government, which showed he was a great leader and a man of peace - increased status both abroad and internally
He became more influential than the Church
111
What happened after the Concordat?
Not huge conflict - Pope generally supported Mussolini
However :
Catholic Action seen as threat by BM.
Radicalisation policies criticised by Church
112
What was Catholic Action and why was it seen as a threat by Mussolini?
Early 30s
Youth groups run by Catholics
Mussolini thought they should deal with purely religious affairs but they were too involved with politics
Church got defensive over this
113
How did Mussolini deal with the squads?
Jan 1923 - dissolved all para military groups
Set up MSVN out of blackshirts
Greater power status but Mussolini had more control - they had to sign oath of allegiance
114
When was the Grand Council of Fascism set up?
Dec 1922
115
How many votes did the Fascists get in 1924?
66% (so didn't actually need Acerbo Law)
116
Why did Mussolini want to create a dictatorship?
Create a strong Italy with a stable gov
| Wanted Italy to be great and believed best system was dictatorship
