Mussolini rise to power 1919-1922 - created from Mind Map

LIBERAL FAILURES- WW1- After end in Nov 1918, Treaty of St Germain was signed in Sept 1919. Italy did not receive German colonies, Fiume and Dalmatia. Liberal democracy was failing to translate their vision of a powerful Italy. Occupation of Fiume conducted without violence (local general did not interfere) in 1919, led by Nationalists, was popular among Italians. D'Annunzio and his soldiers became local heroes. Some considered Giolitti's act of forcefully removing the soldiers (mid 1920) and declaring Fiume as an independent state, to be an act of national betryal. WW1 failures of liberal government influenced the founding and programme of the Fasci di Combattimento. National debt rose to 85 billion lire by 1919. Inflation led to cost of living quadrupling. Economic problems and the "mutilated victory" allowed Mussolini to offer an alternative to the already fragile security of Liberal politics.Fascist movement attracted serviceman who fought in WW1 stressing it was an activist movement. Policies: 8 hour working day, Italy to take possession Fiume and Dalmatia (post-war appeal).

SQUADS AND VIOLENCE- Squadrismo turned the Fascist into a large-scale movement. Squads were modelled on military units and each one was led by a ras. April 1919; the PSI held a large demonstration in Milan which led to clashes with 200-300 Fasci members, who then destroyed the office of Avanti.There was now a party who would actively fight against the threat of socialism, thus received support from a variety of groups. Early 1922- Balbo reorganised the squads into a national militant style force. Tested Facta's government by ejecting the authorities at Fiume and did similar illegal expeditions across northern and central Italy.Gov failed to respond.

OTHER POLITICAL OPPONENTS- Occupation of the factories (Sept 1920). Wage dispute led to a mass factory occupation involving 400,000 workers. Industrialists were angry at passive nature of Giolitti. Also, By April (1920) Socialist peasants had seized 27,000 hectares of farmland (PPI unions did similar things). Conservatives and landowners felt threatened of a socialist movement; Mussolini's squads helped rural right to fight back against the socialists and the PPI.

MUSSOLINI- well connected, became self-appointed national spokesman of the squads, had his own newspaper (The Italian People). Deal struck with Grandi and Balbo; November 1921, movement turned into "National Fascist Party" (PNF). Fascism moved further to the right. (Willing to allow church to emphasise its spiritual freedom). Support from "petty bourgeoisie" (lower middle-class). 1921- 13% of Italy's students belonged to the PNF as it was new and exciting. MUSSOLINI dual policy- violence+offering assurances to key groups. Important in not alienating groups and keeping radicals in PNF pleased. Sept 1922- speech to King Emmanuel III claiming that the monarchy and Fascism could coexist (king could appoint PM constitutionally). Assured key liberals that the PNF would act constitutionally.Worked because leading liberals were more concerned about out-manouvering each other and wanted to maintain relations with the PNF as it was evident that they would play a key part in the next coalition government. Mussolini as an opportunist.- March on rome; 27/28 October, Fascists began assembling outside of rome, already having seized northern and central cities not under PNF control. King Emmanuel III reversed initial decision of imposing martial law. Salandra could not form gov without PNF support, so on 30th October 1922 he appointed Mussolini as PM. Mussolini had been right in assuming the King would not want a civil conflict. Display of political skill in using threat and liberal failures to come into power.

Mussolini rise to power 1919-1922