Rise of Mussolini + Creation of a Fascist Dictatorship 1919-26 Flashcards
1
Q
what was the early life of Mussolini like
A
- his father was a prominent socialist
- was jailed for advocacy of a violent strike
- was the editor of the socialist newspaper ‘Avanti!’
- was a soldier in ww2
2
Q
outline Trincercrazia
A
- means the rule of the returned soldiers
- M argued that the strength of the returned soldiers had the strength to fight the Liberal state
3
Q
what happened in April 1919
A
- a fascist squad of 200-300 attacked a socialist demonstration + burned down the Milan offices of Avanti!
4
Q
in the Nov 1919 election, Fascists perform poorly, winning fewer than _ votes
A
- in the Nov 1919 election, Fascists perform poorly, winning fewer than 5,000 votes
5
Q
outline the Biennio Rosso strikes
A
- 1919-20, a period of social conflict; mass demonstrations, strikes
- Gov lost support of the mc, nationalists, land owners + Catholics as Giolitti (Lib PM) had ‘given in’ to the socialists demands - these groups turned to fascism
6
Q
what was Mussolini’s myth
A
- M claimed the failure of the left was due to the Fascists and that he ‘saved’ Italy
7
Q
who were the Fascist squads made up of
A
- demobilised army officers, m/c students
8
Q
Fascists killed _ Socialist sympathisers in the lead of to the election
A
- Fascists killed 100 Socialist sympathisers in the lead of to the election
9
Q
what were the results of the May 1921 election
A
- Fascists: won 35 seats
- Socialists: won 123 seats
- Catholics: won 107 seats
- Liberals collapsed
10
Q
outline Mussolini’s dual policy
A
- from the may 1921 election, M was able to get a foothold into parliament
- violence of squads provided the basis of fascist strength/ means to overthrow parliament
- but M hoped to rise to position of PM via parliamentary means/ deals - e.g. his promise that if the fascist were accepted within a coalition, he would pursue a moderate Cons policy
- he then formed the PNF
11
Q
outline Mussolini’s March on Rome
A
- in Oct 1922
- used threat of a march as blackmail to get in a coalition
- Squadrisiti took over government offices, police stations etc
- The King’s refusal to declare a state of emergency + sign the decree to give Facta emergency powers showed his lack of confidence - Facta resigned, Salandra took over
12
Q
on ___, the King offered M the role of PM - was done through _ means
A
- on 29 Oct 1922, the King offered M the role of PM - was done through constitutional means
13
Q
what were the 4 variables in Ms creation of a Fascist dictatorship + e.gs of each
A
- mistakes from political opponents; e.g. PLT giving M year long emergency powers
- M’s control of PLT: e.g. feb 1923: appointing De’Stefani as Conservative Minister of Finance
- M’s control of PNF; e.g. jan 1923: made MVSN (absorbed Squadristi + formalised their role as paramilitary force)
- threat/ use of violence; e.g. in his maiden speech, threatened violence if not given emergency powers
14
Q
what was the Acerbo law
A
- 2/3 of PLT seats went to the party that won more than 25% of the vote
15
Q
what percent of the vote did the PNF win in the Apr 1924 election
A
- 66.3%
