Mussolini and the fascist party Flashcards
What did M have to decide once he came to power?
What should be the role of the PNF
What were his two main questions here?
- Should the PNF play a key role in the fascist state or should M simply use government departments to bring about change?
- Should the PNF be a mass party or a disciplined elite
How can we tell that M found these questions difficult?
Because his opinion varied over the years
What was his mind clear and policy unchanging on?
The question of the relationship between him and the party
What was his view here?
The PNF would serve him and not the other way around
What had M stressed the need for since the fascist political breakthrough in 1920-1?
Discipline and central control
How had the struggle to assert his leadership not been easy?
Although the ras acknowledged M as the duce of fascism, they were reluctant to accept central direction. Their violent actions of 1921-2 at times embarrassed him when he was trying to reassure conservatives that his movement was a responsible political force. The March of Rome was at least in part a concession to pressure from the radical squadristi
What did he move to do once he had been appointed PM?
Extend his control over the party
Why was the creation of the militia beneficial?
It provided paid employment for fascist squadristi and helped to ensure their continued loyalty
How did the creation of the Grand Council of the Fascism as the supreme policy making authority strengthen his position?
Because he appointed all of its members
What did he do as well as rewarding loyalty?
Punished opposition
Give an example of this
During 1923 local parties were purged of active or potential dissidents
How was M still not in complete control of the party despite these efforts?
During the 1924 Matteoti crisis, they demanded that he establish a dictatorship
Why were the ras and squadristi disappointed with the creation of the dictatorship?
Because it did not increase party power
Why did it not increase party power?
Because M set up a personal dictatorship
Why could he afford to do this to the party?
Because with control over the institutions of state, his power was secure and he was no longer vulnerable to PNF pressure
How did he demonstrate this as the final congress?
He demanded that the party should end internal arguements and just obey its leader
When was the final party congress held?
June 1925
What happened to dissenting voices at the congress?
They were shouted down
How long did the convention last?
Despite being scheduled to last for three days, it lasted for only a few hours
What else had M done to assert his authority by the end of 1928?
He organised another purge of fascists suspected of disloyalty and had established the principle that all party posts should be appointments made from the party HQ in Rome, a HQ that he controlled
What did this mean for the PNF?
That is was totally subservient to M
What happened to the Grand Council of Fascism?
It was under the complete control of M and as the years went by, he called it less and less frequently
What did M’s ability to achieve absolute dominance over fascism show?
It was testament to his political skills, but it also showed that without him there was nothing to hold the party together
What was the PNF instead of a united, coherent movement?
A broad, uneasy coalition of groups with differing views and priorities
What did the squadristi demand the continuance of?
Violent raids
What did ex socialists want?
The reorganisation of industry
What did the nationalists want?
A revision of the WWI peace settlement
What did the conservatives hope for?
The restoration of law and order and normality
What could only M provide?
Unity
How did this benefit M?
The disparate disorganised factions recognised this and looked to win his interest and support
Explain how M wasn’t consistent in which factions he supported?
He was initially conciliatory towards the conservatives to secure the support of interest groups such as industry, but he was then enthusaistic for a reorganisation of industry into a corporate state. In the late 1930s he then reverted back to radical ideas of revolutionising Italian social habits
What did this show?
That it was M and not the party who would be responsible for determining the course of fascist policy
Describe the kind of men who would hold senior posts within the party?
They were notable less for their ability than they were for their obedience and powers of flattery
What was the most senior party post?
Party secretary
Who was it held by?
A succession of utterly loyal fascists of moderate ability
Who was the party secretary from 1931-9?
Achille Starace
What impact did he have on the party?
The PNF opened to its doors to all those who saw party membership simply as a way to secure a safe job in the fascist administration
How had the movement become more elitist?
By the mid 1930s workers and peasants, who had once made up 30% of party membership, now represented a tiny minority
What did the PNF now consist of?
Overwhelmingly of white collar state employees
What did M’s promotion of second rate officials show?
His susceptability to flattery and his continuing concern to prevent the rise of potential rivals
Why was the party not a good place for men of drive and ability?
They found themselves moved from the centre of power
Give an example of this
They young squad leader Italo Balbo, who achieved fame in 1931 when he completed a transatlantic flight, was soon sent to occupy a post of luxurious idleness in Libya
How did this happen to young squadristi Dino Grandi?
He apparently had some ambition to succeed M and found himself dispatched in London as an Italian ambassador, a post of honour but of little power
What never emerged as a result of M’s actions?
A serious rival to him
Give an example of one of the men who made his name as a radical squadristi before enthusiastically joining the cult of the duce
Roberto Farinacci
Why did the squadristi join the cult of the duce?
They realised that M was prepared to allow them to keep much of their power in the provinces providing they remained utterly loyal and obedient to him. They were also well aware that without him as dictator their own power would collapse
