Foundation of Fasci di Combattimento and party programme

Question 1

23 March 1919

Answer 1

Formation of fasci: Mussolini (former PSI member) called together 20 ex-servicemen’s leagues to Milan to form national organisation of ex-
soldiers: Fasci.

Question 2

use of soldiers and trincerocrazia

Answer 2

• Moved to right to establish new movement driven by ex-soldiers to create the Italy they wanted.
• Experience in trenches allowed him to see power of war to unite Italians. North-South and class divisions disappeared.
• Mussolini described this as ‘trincerocrazia’- the rule of the trenches (men linked by their war consciousness).

Question 3

aims of fasci

Answer 3

argued post-war Italy would be divided on those who fought and those who stayed home; trinceristi (returned soldiers) had strength
and moral right to lead a new Italy that would replicate war’s patriotic feeling.
- Fasci di Combattimento hoped to destroy liberal order and create trincerocrazia.

Question 4

FdC in June

Answer 4

FdC set up anticlerical programme to confiscate church property, called for end of monarchy, formation of republic, extend suffrage
to women and younger Italians, establish 8 hr dar, abolish senate, demanded nationalisation of armaments industry, progressive taxation
and confiscate profits from companies benefitting from war.
- This programme did not distinguish fasci from other left-wing (eg. PSI)

Question 5

nature of party and uniforms

Answer 5

• Party predominantly made of aridity (crack troop commandos formed after Caporetto). They wore black uniform during war with flag
  imagery of skulls. Fascist party adopted this.