The creation of the fascist dictatorship 1924-8 Flashcards
Why was M not a dictator in 1924 despite having control of parliament?
Parliament was still needed to approve laws, opposition parties still existed and the King could still sack his PM
What was unclear in 1924?
Whether M would establish a dictatorship and if so how he would do it
What would simultaneously threaten M but also pave the way for a fascist dictatorship?
The murder of Matteoti
What did opposition MPs do after parliament reopened?
Tried to publicise illegal fascist actions at the polls
Who was the most prominent spokesman for this?
Socialist Giancomo Matteoti
What did he produce in parliament?
Evidence detailing fascist violence and terror during the election campaign
What happened on the 10th Oct 1924, just days after this evidence was given?
Fascist thugs abducted him in broad daylight and stabbed him to death
What was the reaction to this in parliament?
It shocked not only M’s political enemies but also many pro M liberals who thought that the fascists had finally gone too far
How did M react?
He denied all knowledge of the crime
Why was this futile?
Because the chief suspect was the personal assistant to his press secretary and evidence linking him to the murder began appearing in the press
What happened as the evidence mounted against M?
Public opinion began to turn against him and crowds protested in the streets
What did opposition MPs do in response?
They walked out of parliament and created their own breakaway parliament in a protest against fascist violence. They hoped that this was encourage the King to dismiss Mussolini
Why was this called the Aventine secession?
It was named after a similar event in ancient Rome
How did M respond to this?
He put more blackshirts on the streets to deter opposition, but also distanced himself from the crime, ordering the arrest of fascist subjects. By appointing a conservative as minister of the interior, he tried to create the impression that he wanted an open and fair investigation into the murder
Why does it seem likely that these actions reassured the King?
Because he refused to contemplate M’s dismissal - avoiding reading a report that directly implicated M in the murder
Why did he refuse to contemplate dismissing M?
He feared the sacking him would strengthen the revolutionary left and might lead to a civil war. He was encouraged in this belief by leading liberals and conservatives
Why did the liberals and conservatives encourage the King to not sack M?
Because they saw the affair not as an opportunity to dispense with M, but rather as a chance to use his weakness to increase their influence over him
Which two leading liberals still supported M’s premiership?
Giolitti and Salandra
Why did they support?
Because at that moment they thought there was no viable acceptable alternative
What did M move to suppress?
Any further opposition
What did he introduce in July 1924?
Press censorship
What did this mean?
Newspapers were no longer allowed to criticise the government
What did he do in August 1924?
Banned meetings by opposition political parties
What did not go away despite the government’s efforts?
The controversy raised by the Matteoti crisis
How did M receive a blow in Nov 1924?
Those liberal leaders who had supported his government joined the opposition in protest against press censorship
What did the leading fascists do in Dec 1924?
Exasperated by the uncertainty created by the crisis and frustrated by the lack of radicalism, they presented M with an ultimatum
What was this ultimatum?
If he did not end the Matteoti affair immediately and move decisively towards the establishment of a dictatorship, they would withdraw their support
How did M respond?
He bowed to their demands
What did he then do on the 3rd January 1925?
Made a speech to parliament in which he accepted responsibilty for all fascist actions up to that point and signalled that he would now take the necessary measures to give himself much greater power
How did the chamber react to his speech?
It was cheered
Why did M feel comfortable in creating the dictatorship at this time
- He had a clear parliamentary majority
- It was clear the King would not move against him
- What opposition there was in the chamber provided no threat
Why was opposition in the chamber of no threat?
It was divided, lacking in leadership and compromised by its earlier support for fascism
What did he establish in Jan 1925?
A committee to reform the constitution
What was passed in Dec 1925?
the Leggi Fascistissime
What were the Leggi Fascistissime?
Fascist laws banning all opposition parties and organisation, this included free TUs
What were free TUs?
Those that represent the interests of workers and are independent of government control
How did he further suppress any potential opposition?
Press censorship was tightened, a new secret police force was set up and a special court was set up to try political crimes
How was fascist control of local government increased?
Elected mayors were replaced with nominated officials
What were these nominated officials known as?
Podestas
How did M increase his power in Jan 1926?
He was granted the right to issue decrees carrying the full force of law
What did this mean?
He could now make laws without consulting parliament, meaning his personal rule was enshrined in law
What had happened to parliament by the end of 1926?
It had lost the right to even debate proposed laws or criticise the government
When were the final touches to the dictatorship added?
1928
Describe these final touches
The King lost the right to select the PM. In future, a list of possible candidates would be drawn up by the Grand Council of Fascism, a body appointed and controlled by M, and the King would have to make his selection from this list
