Mussolinis Consolidation Of Power Flashcards
Blackshirts sought revolution, but Mussolini showed caution – Why was a completely Fascist government was not yet possible?
-Fascism lacked a parliamentary majority.
-The King (supported by the Army) would almost certainly refuse to dissolve the Chamber of Deputies.
What were the radical pressures on Mussolini? (Aims and worries)
Ras - Aims:
-A fascist revolution
-To smash socialism
-To make Fascist syndicates powerful
-A new corporative state
-Assertive foreign policy
Worries- Mussolini might sell out to the elite. Overall, more radical left wing agendas
What were the moderate pressures on Mussolini (aims and worries)
Moderates and elite - voting for fascism to crush socialists and get rid of liberals
Aims:
-Wants “normalisation” (pre war Italy)
-To restore law and order
-To smash socialism
-To preserve the economic-social status quo with powerful employers and weak workers
-Assertive foreign policy
Worries- Mussolini might give into fascist radicals
How did Mussolini reassure liberals and conservatives?
-Formed a coalition – 4/14 cabinet members were Fascists (the majority Liberals and Popolari). Reassured conservatives and Liberals who saw Fascism as a useful tool with which to crush the Left
-Fascists still received senior positions in Government – Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
-Mussolini continued to use the threat of violence to intimidate Parliament.
How did Mussolini get granted the right to rule by decree?
-convinced Deputies that breakdown of law and order was serious and threat of Socialist revolution so great that extraordinary measures needed to deal with the situation.
-He fooled conservatives and Liberals thinking ‘threat from the Left’ was so great and failed to realise collapse of law and order was due to Fascist violence!
-Mussolini demanded Parliament give him the right to rule by decree for 12 months – able to create legislation, by-passing Parliament.
-Mussolini justified by claiming that only a strong government could take stern measures required at a time of crisis.
-Only Socialists and the Communists opposed the motion – Liberals supported Mussolini; the motion was passed in November 1922.
Events of November to December 1923
November 1922- Parliament and King give Mussolini emergency powers to “normalise” Italy. Groups to oppose this were PSI and PCI + some PPI. Mussolini only made relatively modest use of powers, e.g. introducing press censorship 1923 and bringing fascists into government.
After granted rule by decree for 12 months, Mussolini sought to consolidate position.
Grand Council of Fascism established December 1922 to increase his personal authority over the party – he alone had right to make all appointments to the Council to ensure that he alone controlled policy.
How did Mussolini consolidate power in early 1923
Following month: Mussolini reduced influence of Ras further by converting squadristi into a state-funded national militia, giving him a private army of 30 000 with which to intimidate opposition.
By early 1923, Mussolini had secured the backing of the Confindustria through deciding not to attack widespread tax evasion.
How did Mussolini gain support from the Catholic Church and how did this affect the PPI by 1923?
-Children baptised and Mussolini married in church
-State gives money to increase clergy salaries
-Compulsory RE in schools
-Banning distribution or promotion of contraception (Catholics don’t want extra marital sex)
-Dropping existing proposals to tax church property.
By 1923, the PPI’s position had been significantly undercut, as the Papacy increasingly favoured the Fascists
How had numbers in fascism rose between October 1922 and July 1923 and how did Mussolini try to make the fascists more manageable?
October 1922: 300 000 members
July 1923: 800 000 members
Mussolini also tries to make the fascists more manageable and reduce radicalism in the Fascist party and so he sets up the “cheka” (secret police) in Bolshevik Russia (inspired by Lenin).
He used it to intimidate his opponents or followers, which was led by Dumini.
