M2- Mussolini and the development of Fascism

Question 1

when was the Fasci di Combattimento formed?

Answer 1

23 March 1919

Question 2

what were M’s aims with the Fasci di Combattimento?

Answer 2

to destroy the liberal order and create a trincerocrazia which would rule italy

Question 3

what was trincerocrazia?

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what were key early policies of the Fasci di Combattimento?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

who made up the Fasci di Combattimento?

Answer 5

ex-arditi troops from WW1
wore blackshirts which came to resemble the Fasci

Question 6

why were early fascists violent?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

what were the military units of the Fasci?

Answer 7

squadrismo

Question 8

when were the Avanti offices in Milan burnt down by the squads?

Answer 8

April 1919

Question 9

how many seats did the Fascists win in the 1919 election?

Answer 9

0

Question 10

was there any opposition to squadistri violence?

Answer 10

nope
the govt, military and police allowed it to happen

Question 11

why did the govt, police and military allow squadistri violence?

Answer 11

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

Question 12

who led a squad?

Answer 12

a ras

Question 13

features of a squadistri

Answer 13

wore black uniform
had manganellos (clubs)
had revolvers

Question 14

who supplies the squads with weapons?

Answer 14

the police and army

Question 15

how many socialists killed by squad violence in early 1921?

Answer 15

200

Question 16

what did squadistri violence show to the Italian people?

Answer 16

that fascism was saving Italy from the threat of socialist revolution
NOT the liberal govt
NOT the army
NOT the police

Question 17

what were squads doing in the countryside?

Answer 17

destroying the socialist leagues which were causing landowners problems
also they prevented any land reform from happening

Question 18

what did many liberal politicians think of the fascists?

Answer 18

shared the belief that law and order was being upheld by the squads dealing with the socialists

Question 19

how were the squads used in the 1921 election?

Answer 19

used to intimidate voters and attack socialist meetings

Question 20

how did the police and army help the squads during the 1921 election campaign?

Answer 20

provided weapons and vehicles to help the fascist movement

Question 21

how did the judiciary show support for fascism?

Answer 21

they were more lenient to fascist attacks against socialists

Question 22

how many seats did the fascists win in the 1921 election?

Answer 22

35

Question 23

how many seats did the socialists win in the 1921 election?

Answer 23

123
so squadistri violence didn’t entirely work?

Question 24

why was the 1921 election significant for M?

Answer 24

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

Question 25

what was the trademark torture method of the fascists?

Answer 25

castor oil

Question 26

when was the New Programme?

Answer 26

May 1920

Question 27

what changes were made with the New Programme?

Answer 27

shift away from anti-monarchy
now right-wing and conservative
became pro-business
compulsory military service
irredentism reaffirmed

Question 28

when was the PNF formed?

Answer 28

October 1921

Question 29

how was the setting up of the PNF important for M?

Answer 29

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

Question 30

PNF members by end of 1921?

Answer 30

200,000

Question 31

which social groups felt a strong connection to the PNF?

Answer 31

urban middle class
small business owners

Question 32

why were these groups fearful of the PSI?

Answer 32

potential socialist revolution
increase in local taxes

Question 33

who did the PNF receive financial support from?

Answer 33

richer landowners
Italian industrialists

Question 34

why were younger Italians drawn to fascism?

Answer 34

it was the main opponent to the weak liberal system they have grown up in which had been lazy and corrupt

Question 35

what were the key aspects for fascist support across Italy?

Answer 35

hatred of socialists
strong patriotism
weak liberal government
belief in M as a leader

Question 36

why is fascism such a difficult concept?

Answer 36

it did not really adopt a position on the political spectrum as it often drifted between left and right wing