Mussolini's Rise to Power Flashcards
Why was Mussolini expelled from the PSI?
He was pro-interventionist
When did Mussolini establish the Fasci di Combattimento?
23rd March 1919
What did Mussolini want ex-soldiers to recreate in Italy to give unity to the country?
Trincerocrazia (feeling of unity in the trenches)
What, according to Mussolini, should be the only division in post-war Italy?
Between those who fought in WW1 and those who stayed at home.
In June 1919, what were the Fascists’ aims?
- Confiscation of church property
- suffrage for women
- nationalisation of armament industry
- Confiscation of profits from companies who made huge profits during the war.
- Abolish monarchy and senate
- 8 hour working day
How many members did the Fasci di Combattimento have by June 1920?
3000
Why were the Fascists known as blackshirts?
Many had been arditi (Italian elite troops) who wore black uniforms so they continued to wear black.
Who commanded squads?
a ras
Who supplied many of the weapons carried by the Squadristi?
the Police
What happened on the 15th April 1919?
A squad of 200-300 attacked a socialist demostartion in Milan and burnt down the Avanti offices. 3 socialists and 1 fascist were killed.
How many seat did the Fascist win in the 1921 elections?
35
When did Mussolini announce the New Programme?
May 1920
What were the aims of the New Programme?
Move to the right: obligatory military service, education system designed to produce future soldiers, the unification of the irredente lands and pro-industrialist. No longer anti-clerical or republican.
What was agreed in July 1921 to end fascist violence against socialists?
Pact of Pacification
When did Mussolini resign as leader of Fasci di Combattimento?
18th August 1921
When was the Pact of Pacification ended?
November 1921
When was the PNF set up?
October 1921
What did PNF membership grow from in 1921 to 1922?
200,000 to 300,000
Who did the Fascist go into coalition with in 1921?
Giolitti
What did Mussolini do to gain support of Catholics in November 1921?
He declared his opposition to divorce.
How did the new Pope, Puis XI help the PNF?
He supported the PNF over the PPI.
Why did workers join the PNF?
They were attracted by the promise of fair wages.
What did the PNF set up which attracted conservatives?
Fascists syndicates to replace socialist and Catholic trade unions.
When did Mussolini announce his plan for a march on Rome to take power by violence?
24th October 1922 at the Fascist Party Conference
How many Fascists assembled on the 27th October 1922?
10,000 of planned 50,000
Why didn’t all the Squadrisiti come to Rome on the 27th?
There was bad weather and some train lines had been sabotaged.
How did the government know of the Fascist march?
Some local Fascist branches had taken over local government buildings and had got messages of the march to Rome.
Facta’s government resigned but Facta was asked to stay on to rule - what did he ask King Victor Emmanuel II to declare?
Martial law
When did the King declare martial law ? And when did he change his mind?
2 am on the 28th Oct.
9 am the same day.
Who couldn’t get enough support to form a government?
Salandra
When did Salandra recommend that the King appoint Mussolini as PM?
29th October 1922
When was Mussolini sworn in as PM, interior minister and foreign minister?
31st October 1922
What happened after Mussolini became PM?
50,000 blackshirts marched on Rome.
