Development Of Fasism

Question 1

unemployment after ww1

Answer 1

2 million 1919

Question 2

Key economic problems after WWI

Answer 2

2 mill unemployed

Inflation high, lira collapsed, wiped out savings

2 major Munition companies collapsed, major bank closed down

Peasants seeking the land reform they were promised

Biennio Rosso

Question 3

What happened to socialist membership after WWI

Answer 3

250,000–> 2 milllion
1918-20

Question 4

Reality of the Socialist threat in Biennio Rosso

Answer 4

Most didn’t support strikes

Movement divided—> PCI splitting from pSI 1920

But M/c thought it was a real threat

Question 5

Political impact of Biennio ROsso

Answer 5

M/C looked to RW to provide alternative gov to weak liberal gov and destroy LW
Feared revolution

Question 6

Who was PM after the mutilated victory + impact

Answer 6

Nitty resigned due to bad economy, Fiume, strikes
Replaced by Gillette
Unpopular, despised by nationalist

Question 7

Key points of political unrest after war that helped fascists

Answer 7

• Giolitto PM again, disliked
  Biennio Rosso
  —> Gio tried to compromise with Workers—> myth of fascism

-PCI split, people feared revolution

• 1921 election gave M place in parliament

Question 8

How did Giolitti try deal with Biennio Rosso + impact

Answer 8

Tried to use old tactics, wanted compromise
-Wanted banks to withdraw support from companies that wouldn’t support workers
-Refused to use Violence

Anger at liberals as ‘giving into’ fascists
Fascists only ones fighting back!

Question 9

What happened to socialist movement after WW1?

Answer 9

PCI split from PSI
Weakened LW threat
But made people fear revolution

Question 10

1921 election significance

Answer 10

Giolitti tried to absorb fascists by allowing them to run in his national block
-Once elected Mussolini announced he would vote in opposition

123 socialists, over 100 PPI, 35 Fascists
Impossible to have a stable gov so Giolitti resigned

Question 11

How did Mussolini try use compromise to get to power (dual policy) (2)

Answer 11

1921 told Squadristi to Stop violence- try assert dominance over RAS

Pact of Pacification with Socialist trade unions/ PSI
- hoped liberals + catholics would come up wit deal to stop Fascists working with socialists

Question 12

WHy did Mussolini re-instate the use of violence when he returned as leader

Answer 12

Realised it was the best way to gain power

Question 13

Salandras role in the Rome on March

Answer 13

Encouraged the king not to sign martial law
Hoped he would be PM in a coalition with Fascists

Question 14

Once PM, how did Mussolini try use compromise? (4)

Answer 14

Appointed DeStefani as minister of finance- gained support of conservative industrialists

Catholic church: Increased clerical pay, reinstated crucifixes in school, appointed PPI member as minister of work and welfare
Encouraged PPi party to accept collaboration w/ Fascists, support PNF at expenses of PPI

Feb 1923 ANi officially absorbed into fascist party, taking away powerful rival and meant PNF only party representing Italian nationalism

Given emergency powers for a year + threatened the use of 300,000 squadristi against deputies who wouldn’t support him