o Mussolini gains power, 1920–22 Flashcards
What are the key aspects to consider when assessing how far Fascism’s rise to power was due to the leadership of Mussolini between 1920 and 1922?
Taking advantage of political unrest
Establishing a dual policy
The March on Rome and its significance
The Role of Victor Emmanuel III
Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister
How did taking advantage of political unrest cause a rise in Fascism due to leadership of Mussolini from 1920-22?
The worsening economic and political situation in Italy helped Mussolini rise to power as July 1920, Nitti resigns and Gioliitti takes place.
Giolitti now old (80 and despised by the nationalists due to his anti-interventionist policy during WW1)
Giolitti’s old tactics of compromise for the workers and pressuring banks to withdrew their support fro companies that would no negotiate with the striking workers. - short term was successful (by 25 september 1920, strikes ended). However, arose considerable anger from the middle classes, industrialists, nationalists, landowners and Catholics that Giolitti had given into the ‘workers’ demands.
Transformismo didn’t work in post WW1 Italy as PSI splits into more radical PCI (Partito Communista Italiano - with support from Russia) creating further divisions and allowed Mussolini to use close Bolshevik ties of the PCI to his advantage (excellent propaganda) - this weakened the power of the left-wing movement.
PSI and PCI 24-hour strike in July 1922’s turnout was very low - faded pretty quickly.
1921 elections were a disaster as parliament was now also made up of 123 socialist, 15 communists, 107 PPI and 35 fascist deputies - increase in parties, meaning it was difficult to provide a majority government
Giolitti resigned and followed by Ivanoe Bonomi and Luigi Facta (both weak liberals) who were unable to deal with the problems facing Italy.
How did Establishing a dual policy cause a rise in Fascism due to leadership of Mussolini from 1920-22?
Mussolini used a dualistic approach to gain power: violence via the squadristi and using the constitutional channels via parliament.
Since socialist threat over, he ends use of Squadristi in June and in August signs the pact of pacification (to bring political and social peace to Italy at a time when the nation required it) with the socialists.
Threat he faced was of ras being upset and continuing fascist violence due to M signing the Pact of Pacification with the hated PSI, result was M resigned as leader of the Fascists in August - another political movement - without M’s leadership, fascists lacked unity and direction.
Mussolini buys (offered him a prominent role on a new fascist journal) support of opposing ras member Grandi, ras find no one of Mussolini’s stature is willing to lead the fascists ie) D’Annunzio rejects offer. Sp ras return to Mussolini who now believes squadirsti violence is the way to go- instead of compromise and political deals.
1921- squads become more organised. 1922- fascist violence expands to regions controlled by socialists, by February 1922 Bonomi’s government has collapsed replaced by Luigi Facta (a weak and complacent rpime minister). July strike helped Fascists take more control (Genoa, Milan, Bari, Livorno) destroying houses and buildings where socialists and communists held meetings, murdering socialists leaders and supporters. B/w May and October 1922 Fascists become the de facto government in many provinces.
Violence weakened Facta. By 1922 1 Million workers joined Fascist trade Union and Mussolini continued to use dual policy till October as he promised if Fascists were elected he would pursue a moderate conservative policy, backing the monarchy, reduce tax, and balance the budget, and separately offered Giolitti Nitti, Facta or Salandra role of PM.
How did taking the March On Rome cause a rise in Fascism due to leadership of Mussolini from 1920-22?
‘Ras’ wanted to march to Rome and have a violent takeover vs Mussolini who still hoped in being elected constitutionally so he would have more support and less worry about the military reaction.
24th October Mussolini asserts rise to power via March on Rome in speech to squadristi from the Naples. Night of 27th October the squadristi occupy government offices and telephone exchanges, so in attempt to crush and put stop to Fascists Facta asks King to proclaim martial law and use force of army. 28th October King agrees and declares emergency Martial law and arrest of Mussolini.
BUT, at 9a.m of the same morning he changes his mind and refuses this all.
How did the role of Victor Emmanuel cause a rise in Fascism due to leadership of Mussolini from 1920-22?
Was a weak and indecisive man so could have made the decision he did because:
He believed Facta was weak
Was influenced by Salandra and his supporters, who believed that Facta’s resignation might allow Salandra to become PM in a fascist coalition.
Didn’t wan’t bloodshed in Italy- believed he would not be obey by the military and instead they would side with the Fascists.
Was persuaded by his Fascist cousin the Duke Of Acosta - could be replaced by this taller, stronger and ‘more manly’ cousin.
Mussolini’s appointment as PM
He achieved goal of being PM on constitutional means as: Facta resigns, Liberals too busy arguing amongst themselves, Salandra declines Kings offer due to Mussolini rejecting to Support him, Giolitti, Salandra and Orlando too busy fighting amongst themselves and so Mussolini offered and then accepted the role by constitutional means.
But, he believed fascism required a stronger myth ie) that March On Rome led to squads getting power and that 30th October 50,000 fascists marched to Rome (led by Quadrumvirs) and on 31st October were allowed a victory parade.
