M2- Mussolini's March on Rome Flashcards
who was pushing M to march on Rome and take power through violence?
the ras
how was M hoping to be able to take control?
he hoped to be appointed PM constitutionally as he believed this would give him a stronger position over his party and as leader of Italy
who was M concerned about the most with regards to a fascist takeover?
the role of the army
why was M concerned about the army?
he was worried that if the army intervened, the squads would be crushed
then M would no longer be able to put pressure on the liberals
what did the King agree to on the 28 October?
Facta requested the King to establish martial law to crush the fascists
what did the King do at 9 am on the same day?
changed his mind and refused to sign the decree for martial law
why was the King a weak man?
he was indecisive
was heavily influenced by other factors
what factors affected the King’s decision to allow the fascists to enter Rome unopposed?
lack of faith in Facta
pressured by Salandra to not sign the decree
worried about army loyalty
did not want bloodshed
the Duke of Aosta
why was the King worried about army loyalty?
the army chiefs had promised full loyalty to the King but they believed that many troops would not fire at fascist if a confrontation occurred
why was the King worried about the Duke of Aosta?
his cousin was a fascist supporter
M had hinted that the Duke could replace the King if a fascist takeover was successful
when was M sworn in as PM?
30 October 1922
how many fascists marched into Rome on the 30 October?
50,000
what did M portray the march as?
an armed insurrection
he would later claim 3,000 fascists died as martyrs
what was the reality of the March on Rome?
M had taken power without the need of violence
what role did the liberal leaders take in giving M power?
they did not pose a united opposition and instead attacked each other
they ended up proposing to the King that M would be the better PM for Italy
