Controlling the PNF

Question 1

fascist grand council

Answer 1

december 1922
FASCIST GRAND COUNCIL: Rival organisation to the cabinet created by Mussolini. Discussed key policy and
elevated fascist leadership to same position as cabinet.
- Helped Mussolini overcome weak position in cabinet and undermined liberal institutions
- Mussolini had sole power to appoint council members; consolidate control over PNF and parliament.

Question 2

MILIZIA VOLONTARIA PER LA SICUREZZA NAZIONALE (MVSN):

Answer 2

january 1923
(MVSN): Created by Fascist Grand Council.
Absorbed all the squadristi and formalised their role as party-based parliamentary force to support army and police
in defending the ‘fascist revolution’. Attempt to formalise squadristi. Commander-in-chief is Mussolini. He
strengthened his control over the blackshirts at the expense of the ras.

Question 3

fascist violence

Answer 3

FASCIST VIOLENCE: Mussolini hoped to control squadristi and end fascist violence (detrimental to support
among liberal elite). Fascism in power, so chance for socialist revolution disappeared. Italians who supported
Fascism did not want to continue violence.
- King, Liberals and army supported this; better to have blackshirts under government control than
independent leadership
- Since March on Rome, party size doubled with majority middle class, so older, revolutionary fascist ideas
faded away, so squadristi and ras’ power diluted.