The Fall of Mussolini Flashcards
Who started discussing the removal of Mussolini from the end of 1942?
The Vatican, military leaders, industrialists and the police
What began in Turin and then Milan for the first time in 18 years?
Strikes
When did leading Fascists convince Mussolini to set a meeting of the Fascist Grand Council for?
24 July 1943
Who secretly drafted a proposal for the removal of Mussolini and gained the support of the King?
Grandi
By how many votes was the motion passed?
19 to 9 votes.
When did Mussolini meet the King and find that he had been removed and replaced with Marshall Badgolio?
25 July 1943
When was Mussolini rescued by Nazi paratroopers?
12 September 1943
What did Hitler place Mussolini as the puppet leader of?
Salo Republic - north of Italy occupied by the Nazis.
When did Italy (the kingdom of the South) declare war on Germany?
13 September 1943
When was Rome captured by the Allies?
4 June 1944 (after 9 months of fighting)
When did fighting in Italy continue until?
2 May 1945
What war ran along side WW2 in Italy?
Civil war between fascists and anti-fascists.
What was the PNF replaced with in the RSI (Salo republic)?
Republican Fascist Party led by Pavolino - it was unpopular.
How many partisans were there?
About 200,000 partisans with a range of affliations - some were Catholic, communist or monarchist or former POWs especially from Britain/Greece.
What was like the orginal squads in the RSI?
Black Brigades
Why did the Mafia beome powerful in the Kingdom of the South?
The Americans used them to gain information about Fascist supporters.
What was formed in Bari?
An alternative anti-fascist government who wanted to get rid of the monarchy.
When was Badgolio forced to reseign? Who replaced him?
June 1944, Bonomi (who sought to make his government more credible by helping the invasion of Normandy).
When did the Allies begin their final push into Northern Italy?
9 April 1945
What happened on the 25 of May 1945?
Mussolini and a few loyal supporters were stopped 50 km from the Swiss border and despite being desguisd as a german soldier he was recognised.
What happened to Mussolini after his failed escape attempt?
A local partisan leader ordered his execution on the 28 April and he was killed with his mistress and some other leading fascists. Their bodies were hung above a petrol station upside down for the public to view on the 29th.
In what state was Italy in at the end of the war?
Millions were homeless and cost of living was 25x higher than in 1938. italy had lost all her colonies bar Somalia. The first post-war government was established in June 1945, led by Parri with Socialists, Christian Democrats and Communists. In November 1945 a new government was headed by Gasperi dominated by Christian Demcrats.
In the referendum of 1946, how many vters chose to get rid of the monarch and establish a republic?
12 million to 10 million.
Who was made provisional head of government in 1946?
de Nicola
When were elections for the ‘Constituent Assembly’ held in which women could vote for the first time?
The same day as the referendum.
Who won the elections for he constituent assembly in 1946?
The Christian Democrats won 207 seats with 35.2% and the Socialsit were the second biggest with 115 seats.
Who formed a government in 1946?
The Christian democrats, socialists, communists and republican party.
