Mussolini's Rise - Political unrest and dual policy Flashcards
What was Mussoliniās rise to power aided by?
A worsening political situation in Italy, a deteriorating economic situation, Fiume and the ongoing strikes since the resignation of Nitti
When did Nitti resign?
9th June 1920 and was then replaced by Giolitti
How did Giolitti address the industrial unrest of Biennio Rosso?
Old tactics of absorption and compromise
What was Giolittiās solution to the 1920 Strike?
Seek compromise from workers, pressure Italyās banks to withdraw support for companies that donāt negotiate with strikers
What was the outcome of Giolittiās tactics in 1920 to deal with strikes and bienno rosso?
Successful in the short term as by 25th September the strikes had ended but there was anger from the middle class, industrialists nationalists, landowners and catholics that Giolitti had āgiven inā to workers demands
PCI
Partito Comunista Italiano, In January 1921. Radical members that had previously split from the PSI, More radical and had support from Russian Bolsheviks
Why did Giolittiās old tactics of Trasformismo family in post-war Italy?
Ideological splits were more defined and deep rooted and the PNF, PPI and PCI weee less likely to be brought off and coalitions werenāt working
How did Giolitti try to absorb Fascists during the 1921 election?
Offering the members of parliament a place in his national bloc on the ballot paper
How was Giolittiās attempt to absorb the Fascists in the 1921 a mistake?
Immediately after being voted into parliament as a government backed candidate, Mussolini announced he would vote with the opposition and parliament had 123 socialists, 15 communists, 107 PPI and 35 fascists. Giolitti resigned
Who came after Giolitti after the 1921 elections?
Ivanoe Bonomi and Luigi Facta
When did Mussolini call an end to squadristi violence in 1921?
July
Why did Mussolini call for an end to Squadristi violence in 1921?
Concerned with the fear of communist revolution fading and middle classes and industrialists would question why fascist violence was continuing when the aims had been achieved
Pact of Pacification
August 1921, signed by Mussolini with the Socialist trade union and PSI members in parliament. Mussolini hoped that the liberals and Catholics within parliament would come to a deal to stop him working with socialists
Who were the 3 most powerful ras bosses?
Dino Grandi, Italo Balbo and Roberto Farinacci
What was a key issue for Mussolini concerning the ras?
Until October 1921 fascism was a movement not a part and he led the movement but multiple squads had a strong loyalty to their ras and they were funded at a local level not by a centralised body and he failed to control the ras
What did the Pact of pacification call an end to?
Violence and it was an attempt to assert dominance over fascism but it failed
What did the three most powerful ras bosses condem?
The pact of pacification, as it was a deal with socialists
Why did Mussolini resign on 18 August 1921?
To show political skill by asserting that if they were not ready to follow policy direction he would resign as leader of the fascists but the Ras were unable to work together so this just strengthened Mussoliniās position
What was Dino Grandi offered to support Mussolini?
A prominent role on a new fascist journal
[Gap Fill] At the PNF ____________ in __________ 1921, Fascist delegates overwhelmingly voted to support ___________ as leader and confirm the organisation of the movement into an ________ _____
At the PNF Conference in November 1921, Fascist delegates overwhelmingly voted to support Mussolini as leader and confirm the organisation of the movement into an official party
What did the programme of the PNF confirm for the squadristi and the ras?
The squadristi was under control of the party leadership not the ras
What concession did Mussolini have to make in November 1921 PNF conference?
Drop the pact of pacification
After the November 1921 PNF conference, what did Mussolini encourage rather than stop?
Upsurge in fascist violence hoping he could blackmail the government into giving him power
