Reasons For Rise Of Fascism 1919-1922

Question 1

Political reasons

Answer 1

• 1919 Election had allowed PR (Proportional Representation)
• Male Suffrage had now been given
• Rise of Socialism
  o Biennio Rossi Years (Red years)
  o PSI (Socialist Party) gained 156 seats in the Chamber of Deputies in
  the 1919 election – Largest political party

*Role of the Catholic Church
-Worried by the rise of socialism, willing to work with Facists
-Creation of the Catholic party (PPI) – 100 seats in the 1919 election o Fear if a communist revolution as seen in Russia

*Unstable Governments
-5 Prime Ministers 1914-1919
-Coalition governments seen as unstable yet always included the
liberals

*Due to socialism given into Giolittis offers, a lot of left supporters moved to the right due to reduced strike action and industrial unrest

Question 2

Economic reasons

Answer 2

• 5 million soldiers were demobilised
• Inflation and war debts
• Post-War economic crises
• Collapse of War time industries
• South experienced poverty and agriculture problems
• 2 million Italians unemployed