The Fall of Mussolini

Question 1

Who started discussing the removal of Mussolini from the end of 1942?

Answer 1

The Vatican, military leaders, industrialists and the police

Question 2

What began in Turin and then Milan for the first time in 18 years?

Answer 2

Strikes

Question 3

When did leading Fascists convince Mussolini to set a meeting of the Fascist Grand Council for?

Answer 3

24 July 1943

Question 4

Who secretly drafted a proposal for the removal of Mussolini and gained the support of the King?

Answer 4

Grandi

Question 5

By how many votes was the motion passed?

Answer 5

19 to 9 votes.

Question 6

When did Mussolini meet the King and find that he had been removed and replaced with Marshall Badgolio?

Answer 6

25 July 1943

Question 7

When was Mussolini rescued by Nazi paratroopers?

Answer 7

12 September 1943

Question 8

What did Hitler place Mussolini as the puppet leader of?

Answer 8

Salo Republic - north of Italy occupied by the Nazis.

Question 9

When did Italy (the kingdom of the South) declare war on Germany?

Answer 9

13 September 1943

Question 10

When was Rome captured by the Allies?

Answer 10

4 June 1944 (after 9 months of fighting)

Question 11

When did fighting in Italy continue until?

Answer 11

2 May 1945

Question 12

What war ran along side WW2 in Italy?

Answer 12

Civil war between fascists and anti-fascists.

Question 13

What was the PNF replaced with in the RSI (Salo republic)?

Answer 13

Republican Fascist Party led by Pavolino - it was unpopular.

Question 14

How many partisans were there?

Answer 14

About 200,000 partisans with a range of affliations - some were Catholic, communist or monarchist or former POWs especially from Britain/Greece.

Question 15

What was like the orginal squads in the RSI?

Answer 15

Black Brigades

Question 16

Why did the Mafia beome powerful in the Kingdom of the South?

Answer 16

The Americans used them to gain information about Fascist supporters.

Question 17

What was formed in Bari?

Answer 17

An alternative anti-fascist government who wanted to get rid of the monarchy.

Question 18

When was Badgolio forced to reseign? Who replaced him?

Answer 18

June 1944, Bonomi (who sought to make his government more credible by helping the invasion of Normandy).

Question 19

When did the Allies begin their final push into Northern Italy?

Answer 19

9 April 1945

Question 21

What happened on the 25 of May 1945?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What happened to Mussolini after his failed escape attempt?

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

In what state was Italy in at the end of the war?

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

In the referendum of 1946, how many vters chose to get rid of the monarch and establish a republic?

Answer 24

12 million to 10 million.

Question 25

Who was made provisional head of government in 1946?

Answer 25

de Nicola

Question 26

When were elections for the ‘Constituent Assembly’ held in which women could vote for the first time?

Answer 26

The same day as the referendum.

Question 27

Who won the elections for he constituent assembly in 1946?

Answer 27

The Christian Democrats won 207 seats with 35.2% and the Socialsit were the second biggest with 115 seats.

Question 28

Who formed a government in 1946?

Answer 28

The Christian democrats, socialists, communists and republican party.