Mussolini Comes To Power
- 1. Mussolini Comes to Power Savannah Criado Rylee Levine Manuela Mur Melissa Calil
- 2. March on Rome ● The March on Rome in simplest terms was a march by which Mussolini and his National Fascist Party came to power in the Kingdom of Italy. ● The March occurred from October 22nd to October 29th, 1922 ● This consisted of around 30,000 Fascist marching to Rome from all over Italy. ● They wanted all significant buildings, including the ones outside of Rome and in the important cities up north, to be taken over. ● Mussolini demanded the resignation from the government and for it to be allowed that a new Fascist government take over. ● There would be armed Fascist near Rome, so if the government failed to meet the demands they would just march into Rome and take over by the use of force.
- 4. Events leading up to the March on Rome & Mussolini’s acceptance of the office of Prime Minister ● In late 1914, Mussolini founded an independent newspaper, Popolo d’Italia, and backed it up with his own independent movement (Autonomous Fascists). From this he drew in close to the radicalized middle-class youth and made himself their national spokesman. ● In March 1919 Mussolini founded another movement (Fighting Fascists), courted the militant Italian youth and pretty much just waited for events to favor him. ● In 1921, the tide turned and much to his prevail. The elections in 1921 sent him victorious to Parliament at the head of 35 Fascist deputies.
- 5. Events leading up to the March on Rome & Mussolini’s acceptance of the office of Prime Minister ● The third assembly of his movement gave birth to the National Fascist Party (PNF). Which has more than 250,000 followers and Mussolini was its leader. ● In June 1921 Giovanni Giolitti was forced to resign due to Fascist opposition and after tense negotiations with the government, the King finally decided the give dictatorial power to Mussolini so he could restore order and introduce reforms ● Just the fact that Italy was going through tough times economically, socially and politically and Mussolini told the people exactly what they wanted to hear. To millions of Italians he seemed like the only hope.
- 6. Role played in Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister Failure on the Left: Natural enemies of the fascists did little to prevent them from entering government. The little that they did do wound up helping the fascist cause The socialist movement had split in 2 in January 1921, and from it, a small Communist Party emerged (party financed/linked to the Bolshevik party) In July 1922, The Socialist-Dominated trades unions formed an Alliance Of Labour to resist the fascists and called for a 24 hr strike. Received little support, even in industrial cities like Milan and Turin. This weakly supported strike provided an opportunity for fascists to attack the strikers and make a show of providing voluntary services before posing as the saviours of the country.
- 7. Role played in Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister Luigi Facta: He had called for martial law too late to make an effective stand. Since he waited too long to attempt to stop the insurrection (March on Rome), the fascists would have to be forcibly turned out of the public buildings that they had just occupied rather than being prevented to enter them. He had established that the king was the head of state and therefore he would have to sign in the decree establishing martial law. Initially, the King agreed, but hours later changed his mind and refused to sign the decree. Facta, stunned, effectively resigned as prime minister because of this.
- 8. Role played in Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister The King and His Decision Emmanuel had to find a new prime minister. Facta had been a follower of Giolitti, who would be unlikely to willingly succeed him under these circumstances. He had, in fact, deliberately stayed away from Rome as the crisis deepened. The King then approached Salandra, Giolitti’s opponent, who accepted his request to form a government. He insisted that fascists be put in the government, though. Safely back in Milan, Mussolini rejected this offer. Salandra then informed the king that without fascist co-operation he could not form a government, and that Mussolini would have to be invited to see if he could do so. The King was driven to telephone Mussolini to invite him to become prime minister.
- 9. Roles played in Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister Mussolini himself: It was Mussolini’s threat to organise a fascist march on Rome to take control there that provoked the final crisis, which in turn, led to his becoming prime minister. He was claiming to save Italy from communism and anarchy. The Church Mussolini’s control of this new party allowed him to drop what remained of the more left-wing elements of the 1919 Fascist Programme, i.e. those that had been against the Roman Catholic Church. Mussolini hoped to increase fascist support among conservatives. Important because the new pope, Pius XI, did not support the leader of the Popolari and had previously blessed the fascists’ banners. Mussolini kept fascist policy statements deliberately vague, declaring his party to be against socialism and liberalism and for a strong and ordered Italy. Overall, it wound up gaining support but wasn’t necessarily a decisive factor.
- 10. “Simply a talented opportunist” To what extent does this explain Mussolini’s appointment as Prime Minister in 1922? Reasons as to why he was appointed: - Prime Minister Facta hesitated to act against the fascists. - The national fear of socialists - The effects of World War I - The King allowed the position of Prime Minister to go to Mussolini. - Mussolini’s potential as a leader - The fascists’ violence
- 11. Facta’s influence on Mussolini’s appointment to power - He led a weak liberal government during 1922. - The liberal government failed to confront and solve Italy’s internal problems since Unification. - He had failed to take a stand against fascism. - Even though his government resigned, Facta was still asked to stay as Prime Minister - He asked the king to grant martial law and lead the army to end the fascist revolt; however, it was too late and they were unable to fight against the fascists.
- 12. World War I & Mussolini’s Appointment To Power - Many resentful soldiers joined the fascist movement and supported Mussolini. - These soldiers were angered by the “mutilated victory” that Italy had endured because of the liberal government. - Mussolini’s fascist party promised justice for those who had suffered and attracted many generals to join the party. - The generals that joined the fascist party contributed to the King’s hesitation over granting martial law to Facta.
- 13. Fascist Violence & Mussolini’s Appointment - Mussolini organized a private army of several hundred men that were provided arms called the Blackshirts. - The Blackshirts helped Mussolini take political control over northern and central Italy. - Mussolini did not take part of violent acts himself; instead he alternated the Blackshirts.
- 14. Mussolini’s Leadership & His Appointment To Power - Mussolini was a highly talented and recognizable leader. - He was known for being able to alter his policies in order to gain more support from different types of Italians. - He was a gifted speaker which helped his propaganda and helped appeal fascism to many Italians. - He was able to exploit the squadristi, gain more respect, and negotiate better with other politicians.
- 15. The Role Fascism Played In Mussolini’s Acquisition of Power Appeal of Fascism - Social confusion and political drift in post war Italy gave Mussolini a clear chance to spread the ideals of fascism - Offered direct solutions to the complex social, economic and political problems that many Italians faced - Stressed national identity, desirability of national strength and glory - This appealed to those who fought in the war who despised politicians who opposed the war and felt betrayed by the mutilated victory
- 16. The Role Fascism Played In Mussolini’s Acquisition of Power - 1920 fascism moves from the northern towns to the countryside - Labor leagues, organised by the socialists, were threatening tenant farmers with taking away and seizing control of lands - Young Fascists then make the squadristi, then attack the socialist leagues - The attitude of the elites - During biennio rosso, intense social uprising and conflict in Italy, police often ignored the fascist violence against the socialist, industrial and agrarian militants - Commanders in some areas even provided transport for these squads to take them to socialist demonstrations
- 17. The Role Fascism Played In Mussolini’s Acquisition of Power - By the late 1920’s many rural landlords, urban industrialists who were tired of the government indifference actually helped the squadristi in their violence by helping them get weapons - The pattern of violence comes in and important groups were drawn to the fascist party - Many liberals applauded the violence - Fascist party becomes seen as the defenders of the country - Mussolini, of course, is ready to take full responsibility for being the protector of italy
- 18. Assess the role played by Fascism and the Fascist Party in Mussolini’s rise to power The ideology of the Fascist Party played a huge role in Mussolini’s run in with power. The people of Italy feared socialism, they were frustrated with the outcome of the war and the country was in complete shambles. Mussolini’s party offered a beacon of hope, through the Fascist Party he promised to bring in a movement which supported patriotic ideals, and solve all of Italy’s pending issues. The fact that the citizens actually helped the fascist movement by turning away from the violence the squadristi caused, allowed Mussolini to get his name known, and the party name out there for more support. If it wasn’t for the Fascists party’s ideologies that gave an alternative to socialism, Mussolini may not have been able to acquire power.