Mussolini Timeline Flashcards
1919
Founded Fascio di Combattimento out of the Arditi (free corps) movements, no seats in election.
Benefitted from the Biennio Rosso, his action squads fought communism and each squad had local fascist leaders RAS. Mussolini send his action squads to stop land and factory occupants which gave him the support from industrialists and landowners.
1921
Founded PNF (National Fascist Party) In the elections Mussolini’s party won 7% of the votes and got 35 seats in the parliament.
1922
Became Prime Minister with only 4 fascists and 10 non fascists in the government. In the parliament the fascist had only 7% of the seats.
Mussolini became prime minister after marching on Rome with 40,000 people and king Victor Emmanuel III refused to instate martial law because he was afraid of the communists (Russia). Other prime minister resigned in protest. The king asked Mussolini to take the post on 29 October. Mussolini was granted emergency powers ( he could rule Italy on decree for 13 month in an attempt to restore order to deal with social, economic and political problems but the king could still dismiss him.
All communist leaders were arrested. He also worked on getting more support from the Catholic Church, making religious education compulsory and banning contraception. Changes economy makes industrialists happy
1923
The Acerbo Law- two thirds of the seats to the party that got at least 25% of the votes in the next election. Mussolini threatened to abolish the parliament and used intimidation to make sure this law was passed. He also got increased support after the Corfu incident, was seen as a national hero
Mussolini created MVSN paramilitary organisation loyal to him not the state.
1924
Set up the Ceka. A wave of terror against anti-fascists before the election. During the election the Ceka also voted for dead people and stole ballot boxes. Won 66% of the votes.
The socialist leader Matteotti condemned the fascist violence and was abducted and murdered. This is known as the Matteotti crisis. To avoid discussion he closed the parliament. He ordered press censorship and a ban on meetings.
1925
Introduced laws to control the press and the Legge Fascistissime Law made Mussolini head of state and the king lost his right to dismiss ministers in the government. Mussolini also replaced elected Mayors with podestas- fascist officials (military men and land owners)
1926
All political parties and trade unions banned. Issued decrees without the parliament and took the name Il Duce. Mussolini formed OVRA, the secret police.
1928
Election rules changed, only men age 21 or over who belonged to the fascist syndicate could vote. Mussolini held 8 minister posts.
1929
Lateral Agreement with the papacy.
