M2- Mussolini and the development of Fascism Flashcards
when was the Fasci di Combattimento formed?
23 March 1919
what were M’s aims with the Fasci di Combattimento?
to destroy the liberal order and create a trincerocrazia which would rule italy
what was trincerocrazia?
the rule of the trenches
M hoped that Italy would no longer be divided by class but instead by war consciousness
those who fought in WW1 and those who stayed at home
M believed that only men who fought in war could lead Italy to greatness
what were key early policies of the Fasci di Combattimento?
anti-clerical
anti-monarchist
pro-republican
universal suffrage for women
abolition of the senate
8 hour working day
quite extreme policies which were unlikely to win much support
who made up the Fasci di Combattimento?
ex-arditi troops from WW1
wore blackshirts which came to resemble the Fasci
why were early fascists violent?
they saw the socialists and communists in the same light as Austrians in the war
they only saw violence as a way to deal with enemies of the state
what were the military units of the Fasci?
squadrismo
when were the Avanti offices in Milan burnt down by the squads?
April 1919
how many seats did the Fascists win in the 1919 election?
0
was there any opposition to squadistri violence?
nope
the govt, military and police allowed it to happen
why did the govt, police and military allow squadistri violence?
they were so afraid of socialism and a socialist revolution that they saw it as the only deterrent
gave M confidence to use it more
who led a squad?
a ras
features of a squadistri
wore black uniform
had manganellos (clubs)
had revolvers
who supplies the squads with weapons?
the police and army
how many socialists killed by squad violence in early 1921?
200
what did squadistri violence show to the Italian people?
that fascism was saving Italy from the threat of socialist revolution
NOT the liberal govt
NOT the army
NOT the police
what were squads doing in the countryside?
destroying the socialist leagues which were causing landowners problems
also they prevented any land reform from happening
what did many liberal politicians think of the fascists?
shared the belief that law and order was being upheld by the squads dealing with the socialists
how were the squads used in the 1921 election?
used to intimidate voters and attack socialist meetings
how did the police and army help the squads during the 1921 election campaign?
provided weapons and vehicles to help the fascist movement
how did the judiciary show support for fascism?
they were more lenient to fascist attacks against socialists
how many seats did the fascists win in the 1921 election?
35
how many seats did the socialists win in the 1921 election?
123
so squadistri violence didn’t entirely work?
why was the 1921 election significant for M?
he was now a deputy so was immune from police prosecution
he was now a respected member of society and could now legitimise fascism in parliament
what was the trademark torture method of the fascists?
castor oil
when was the New Programme?
May 1920
what changes were made with the New Programme?
shift away from anti-monarchy
now right-wing and conservative
became pro-business
compulsory military service
irredentism reaffirmed
when was the PNF formed?
October 1921
how was the setting up of the PNF important for M?
it offered a more respectable stance to fascism with all fascist organisations being centralised
violence was no longer the sole method of winning Italian support for fascism
PNF members by end of 1921?
200,000
which social groups felt a strong connection to the PNF?
urban middle class
small business owners
why were these groups fearful of the PSI?
potential socialist revolution
increase in local taxes
who did the PNF receive financial support from?
richer landowners
Italian industrialists
why were younger Italians drawn to fascism?
it was the main opponent to the weak liberal system they have grown up in which had been lazy and corrupt
what were the key aspects for fascist support across Italy?
hatred of socialists
strong patriotism
weak liberal government
belief in M as a leader
why is fascism such a difficult concept?
it did not really adopt a position on the political spectrum as it often drifted between left and right wing
