THE RISE OF MUSSOLINI AND THE CREATION OF A FASCICT DICTATORSHIP 1919-1926 Flashcards
1
Q
What was the Mutilated Victory?
A
- Paris peace conference 1919
- Prime minister Orlando argued that Italy should be given territory including the costal port of Fiume as promised in the 1915 Treaty of London
- Allies rejected their claim and asserted that Italy’s contribution did not justify its territorial claims
- Italians felt humiliated and betrayed
- Orlando refused to accept the humiliating agreement and resigned
- Replaced by Nitti who chose to accept the humiliating terms of the treaty
2
Q
What was the occupation of Fiume?
A
- March of 2000 men led by Gabriele D’Annunzio
- Seized control of the costal port Fiume without conflict
- Remained there for 15 months
- Eventually removed by the Italian army on Christmas day 1920
- Giolitti seen a traitor for opposing D’Annunzio who had secured support from many groups
3
Q
What was the post war economic crisis?
A
- Unemployment reached 2 million
- Inflation at a high level and the lira collapsed its value
- Two major munitions companies (Ansaldo and Ilva) collapsed causing a banking crisis
- This resulted in a period of strikes know as Bienne Rosso (two red years)
- 400000 people on strike per day
- membership of socialist party grew from 200000 to 2 million
4
Q
What political reforms were made in 1919?
A
- Franchise extended to any male over 21 that served at the front
- increased electorate to 11 million
- changed method of voting to proportional representation
5
Q
What was the outcome of the 1919 election?
A
- PPI won 101 seats
- PSI won 156 seats
- Neither parties had majority so liberals remained in power
- Democracy undermined
6
Q
What was the Fasci di Combattimento?
A
- National organization of ex-soldiers led by Mussolini
- Described how war had brought all classed and divisions together in a common sense of belonging (trincerocrazia)
- 3000 members by 1919
- Aimed for confiscation of Church property
- Aimed to end the monarchy
- Wanted an extension of the franchise to woman
- 8 hour working day
- Demanded nationalization of the armaments industry
7
Q
Who were the Squadristi?
A
- Strong culture of violence against socialists and communists
- Burnt down Avanti offices
- useful tool to Mussolini, fanatically loyal
- police were fearful of a socialists revolution so tolerated actions of Squads
- Under command of Ras
- Beat opponents and forced them to eat toads or drink castor oil
- Mussolini claimed they had “saved” Italy from the socialist revolution
8
Q
What was the new PNF program?
A
- Result of political failure in 1919 election (0 seats)
- Mussolini rethinks Fascist program
- Much more conservative and right wing
- Removed any mention of religion
- pro business attitude
- Tailored to appeal to the middle class
9
Q
What was the extent of Fascist support?
A
- 200000 members
- Appealed to middle class and business owners who feared a socialist revolution
- Support from young Italians who were tired of the corruption amongst liberal government
10
Q
What political unrest was present following the war?
A
- Giolitti was 80 years old and despised by Nationalists due to his passive approach in the war
- His approach to strikes was to encourage banks to withdraw support for companies not negotiating with workers, this was unpopular as he was seen as giving into the workers demands
- Radical members of the PSI split into the PCI, weakening the strength of the movement
- Newly formed parties with strong ideologies were less likely to be influenced by transformismo
- Fascists only had 35 deputies, parties despised each other and refused to make compromise to form a stable government
11
Q
What was the purpose of the dual policy?
A
- Mussolini operated with constitutional and violent means
- Called for an end to Squadristi violence and signed the Pact of Pacification with the PSI
- Mussolini resigned from the PNF after Ras officials condemned the lack of violence
- Gabriele D’Anunnzio rejects the role of leader of PNF and Mussolini is reinstated with increased control over the Ras
12
Q
What was the March on Rome?
A
- 1922
- Mussolini seized communication and transport sectors
- Threatened to storm key government buildings
- Prime minister Facta urged the King to authorize a state of emergency and declare martial law
- At 9am the next day the King changes his mind and Facta resigns
- By the recommendation of of Giolitti, Orlando, and Salandra who could not stand to see each other become prime minister; Mussolini was elected
- Mussolini believed Fascism required a stronger “myth” of his rise to power
- held a parade of 50000 Fascists and spread rumor of a bloody coup on government
13
Q
What was the Kings role in Mussolini’s rise to power?
A
- A weak and indecisive man
- Lacked confidence in the current prime minister (Facta)
- Encouraged by Salandra, Orlando and Giolitti
- Feared that the army would not obey his orders when asked to fire upon the Fascists
- Feared that he would be replaced by his cousin (Duke of Aosta) who supported Fascism
14
Q
How did Mussolini placate the middle class?
A
- Appointed Alberto De’Stefani as minister of finance, this gained support of industrialists who were reassured at the lack of drastic change
- Appointed himself as foreign minister and minister of the interior members of the military
15
Q
How did Mussolini placate the Church?
A
- Increases clerical pay
- Reinstates crucifixes in schools
- Appointed PPI member Stefano Cavazzoni as minister of work and welfare
16
Q
How did Mussolini prevent the nationalist vote?
A
- Absorbed the rival nationalists party (ANI), removed a powerful rivalry
17
Q
What unconstitutional actions did Mussolini take?
A
- Maiden speech as prime minister including threat of violence to any who challenged him
- Acquired year of emergency powers after threat of violence from 30000 Fascist members
- Had full power to govern and raise taxes without seeking approval for a year
18
Q
What was the Fascist grand council
A
- Parallel cabinet to the Chamber of Deputies
- 11 members of the Ras elevated to same position as members of the cabinet
- Undermine liberal government by essentially bypassing them
- Centralized power
19
Q
What was the MVSN?
A
- Absorbed all Squadristi and formalized their role as a parliamentary force
- Pledged allegiance to Mussolini, removing threat of Ras
- Delegated to emergency services with salaries and a better public image
20
Q
What were the Acerbo laws?
A
- Proposed that 66% of parliamentary seats would go to the party with more than 25% of the vote
- The remaining seats would be distributed by proportional representation
- In the 1924 election Mussolini won 66% of the vote anyway (thus making the laws unnecessary)
- In the greatest electoral victory since unification, the Fascist increased their number of deputies from 35 to 275
21
Q
What was the Matteotti crisis?
A
- 1925
- Matteotti, the PCI leader, had made a speech where he openly denounced Mussolini’s use of violence
- Matteotti reported missing
- Linked to Mussolini’s press secretary (Cesare Rossi)
- Rossi and Dumini suspected of the murder of Matteotti
- 100 deputies walked out of parliament and set up a new government on the Aventine hill
- Absence of opposition made it easier for Mussolini to pass legislation
22
Q
How did Mussolini announce his declaration of a dictatorship?
A
- 1925
- Mussolini made a speech announcing the establishment of a dictatorship
- Took on the roles of prime minister and minister of foreign affairs, war, navy and aviation
- Radicals who would not accept Mussolini as dictator were purged from the party
- Announced the Palazzo Vidoni Pact, establishing the official fascist unions as the only workers representative
23
Q
What early constitutional amendments were made after the declaration of a dictatorship?
A
- Tito Zaniboni arrested for plotting the assassination of Mussolini
- Introduced a new press with complete supervision
- Title of prime minister changes to the Duce
- Ability to remove the prime minister through vote of no confidence removed
- 1926, Mussolini received ability to rule by decree
- All parties apart from the PNF banned
- Local governments abolished and mayors replaced with Podesta, appointed by prefects
