Mussolini y Italia

Timeline
David Li
Timeline of Events
• 1861 Formation of an independent Italy achieved large by a small
nationalist movement. Key people: Count Camillo di Cavour,
Giuseppe Mazzini, Giuseppe Garibaldi and Victor Emmanuel II
• 1870 Papal states incorporated into Italian kingdom. Led to banning
of Catholics from all involvements in politics in Italy
• 1904 General strike. Many emigrated, mainly to the US.
• 1909 Sep Mussolini begins work as member of Italian Socialist
Party
• 1911 Sep Italy invades Libya to increase the size of the Italian
empire and to block growing French influence in North Africa
• 1912 Nov Mussolini appointed editor of Socialist Party newspaper,
Avanti!
Cont’d
• 1914 Jun ‘Red Week’
Oct Mussolini expelled from Socialist Party
Nov Mussolini founds Il Popolo d’Italia
• 1915 May Italy signs Treaty of London; participation in First World
War leads to huge loss of population and inflation; mutilated victory
• 1919 Jan start of biennio rosso (the 2 red years); first Arditi
Association set up in Rome, used weapons to attack socialists and
trade unionists
Mar formation of the Fascio di Combattimento ('fighting
group'), the founding members were later known as the Fascists of the
First Hour. Intended to bring together nationalists and socialists
Sep D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Cont’d
• 1920 Sep wave of factory occupations; electoral victories for
socialists
• 1921 May Mussolini forms National Bloc electoral alliance with
Giolitti; 35 fascists elected, including Mussolini
Aug Pact of Pacification between fascists and socialists
Oct formation of PNF
Nov Mussolini elected leader of PNF
• 1922 Jul–Aug general strike broken up by fascist violence
Oct March on Rome; Mussolini appointed as PM
How did the historical context of
Italy before 1919 contribute to
Mussolini’s rise to power?
Weaknesses of Italy’s Liberal
Monarchy
• In 1871, Risorgimento, a nationalist movement succeeded in creating a
unified Italy.
• The Liberals sought to reform Italy
• State education to combat the influence of the Catholic church
• Stimulating economic development and progress
• The liberals were split into progressives (‘left-liberal’) and conservatives
(‘conservative liberals’)
• Feared the socialists, anarchists and republicans (left) and the church (right)
• Initially, only 2% of the adult population was allowed to vote
• Italians felt resentment against restricted franchise (right to vote)
• So the liberal politicians formed deals with one another to alternate
political control – transformismo
• By 1912, all adult males were allowed to vote, through transformismo
continued
• Hostility of the papacy (church) towards the new Italian State
Regional Divisions
• Many Italians were more loyal to their region or town rather than the
national government
• Italy’s mountain ranges made communication difficult
• No true ‘national identity’
• Northern / Central: developed, more modern, machinery was used
for farming, still massive land owned by wealthy landowners (agrari),
conflict and discontent
• South: poor, agricultural, most of the fertile lands were part of
latifundia, which were owned by a few wealthy landowners. Majority
was poor
• Industrial economic Difference
The South V.S. the North
• The Fiat Car Company: established in 1899, brought prosperity and
development to the north
• No real investment in the South
• Increased the economic
• Frequent clashes between employees and
employers
• Workers joined the socialists or anarchist or
migrated to the US
“Terra Irredenda”
• Land in Europe that Italy claimed the right for
• Germany was successful after being created in 1871, Italy
wanted land too
• Acquisition of the port of Mossawwa on the Red sea (1885)
• Italy began to conquer Italian Somaliland, but tensions grew
between Italy and Abyssinia
• Defeat in 1896 made Italians press for a more aggressive
imperial policy
• Italy invaded the Turkish colony of Libya (1911), turkey accepts
defeat in 1912
Intervention V.S. Neutrality
• Majority Italians / Socialists:
Neutrality
• Nationalist: felt the need to
intervene to reclaim Terra
Irredenda
• Italy was promised a lot of land if
they win (Trentino or Trieste
(Austrian Territory) and Istria and
northern Dalmatia on the Adriatic
coast.
The Treaty of London
• Fasci a mixture of anarcho-
syndicalist
• Interventions organized
demonstrations to demand
Italy’s involvement in the war
• Liberal politicians decided on
Italy’s participation in war
• 1915: Treaty of London
promised Italy’s participation
 WW1
• Costly (money and in casualty)
• November 1917: suffers terrible
defeat
• Octomber 1918: Wins Vittorio
Vento but was overshadowed by
previous defeats
• Nationalists blamed government
for failures.
Economic Impact
• Liberal government borrowed
heavily from UK and US for
the war
• 1915-1918: prices rose more
than 400%
• During the last years of war,
the government promised to
reform the land after the war
Peace Treaties and Discontent
• Peace Conference 1919
• Italy went and expected to get all that she has requested before
the war
• However, she gained no African Territory, UK/US refused to give
Fiume and northern Dalmatia (basically taken by Yugoslavia, a
new state)
• AH was defeated and Italy had control over the Adriatic, but the
government was blamed of Italy being humiliated and cheated
• ‘mutilated victory’
What were the key stages in
Mussolini’s rise to power in
the period 1919–22?
Post WWI

• The liberal regime faced many difficulties post WWI.

• In addition to the growing dissatisfaction of the nationalists, the

liberals faced increased political opposition from other quarters.

• January 1919 - foundation of the Partito Popolare Italiano (PPI), or

Italian Popular Party. (During the downfall of the liberals).

• More serious threat to liberal regime - The Italian socialist party

Continued…
• Economic problems post WWI caused great discontent among
rural and industrial workers.

• Socialist party move to a more revolutionary position.

The Biennio Rosso - 1919–20 (The two red
years)
• Unemployment rose to over 2 million in 1919

• Throughout 1919, strikes, factory occupations and land

occupations, organized by trade unions and peasant leagues
and involving over 1 million workers, swept across Italy.

• In many areas, especially in the north, socialists seized control

of local government.
Continued
• The threat of a communist revolution

• In response to riots the government did very little. This lack of

forceful action led many of the middle and upper classes to view
the government as dangerously incompetent.

• After the war, the various militant and disaffected right-wing

groups were joined by another force that was also in search of
change.
Continued…
These groups comprised of unemployed officers and troops, who
found it difficult to accept many aspects of post-war Italian
society. One notable group was the Arditi.

• In March 1919, Mussolini – himself a member of the Arditi –

tried to bring these groups together. On 23 March, 118 people,
representing various political groupings, met in Milan and
formed a Fascio di Combattimento (Known as the Fascists of
the first hour).
Continued…
• Lack of popularity in the first proportional representation
elections (very few dedicated fascists in italy during 1919)

• However, the unrest of the biennio rosso gave a boost to

Mussolini’s organisation.

• Facsist popularity had increased since the last elections

gainging 35 seats in the 1921 national election.
Continued…
• Mussolini himself was now a deputy and, significantly, all 35
fascist deputies were from the right of the movement.

• More importantly, holding positions in parliament gave the

fascists an image of respectability as well as a foothold in
national politics.
How was Mussolini Able
to Rise to Power?
General Factors
• Political instability – three weak coalition governments, none of
which took action against industrial struggles and political
violence
• Attitude of political elites – police and army leaders let the
violent Fascist forces slip – some provided transport to help
them!

• Sqaudristi forces (“black shirts”) – militant force which followed

Mussolini’s order on the underhand – occasionally worried
Mussolini because they were violent yet incohesive
His Steps (Pact of pacification & formation of
PNF)
• Mussolini signed pact of pacification with moderate socialists
and the main trade union organisation CGL, angering the ras
and receiving support from the conservative elites
• Then he resigned and reformed the PNF in order to oust the ras
out of his party and solidify his power.
• Then he regained his power by persuading the Fascist National
Congress to elect him as leader.
• Now the ras lost their voice and Mussolini solidified his power
His Steps (gaining support from
moderation)
• Mussolini wanted support from the church and so dropped the
left-wing elements
• Pius XI did not support Popolari (Catholic Party) but blesses
Fascist banners
• He kept policy statements vague to gain support – mostly from
shopkeepers and clerical workers
His Steps (Fascist violence)
• The ras, especially Farinacci and Balbo, constantly endorsed the
idea of violent seize of power
• Mussolini did not want power within his party splitting nor did he want
to lose support from the elites
• He thus decided to internally support militant actions and externally
condemn them or at least feign as if he did not support them
• When socialists started a strike, Mussolini used this fact to prove that
Socialists were a threat and broke the strike
• The incident impressed moderate liberals and conservative middle
classes, renewing relationships between Mussolini and former liberal
PMs
His steps (the March on Rome)
• Balbo told Mussolini the ras are planning to advance to Rome with or
without him.
• Mussolini agreed to organise the march on Rome.
• During the march, PM Luigi Facta persuaded the king to declare a
state of emergency to use the military and police to stop Mussolini.
• Fascists forces were stopped but the prefect of Milan hid Mussolini
• King decided not to arrest him but offer his party seats in the cabinet
• Mussolini refused to take the proposal and Salandra advised the
king to appoint him as PM
• So appointed
Conclusion
Conclusion
Mussolini was able to rise to power because…
Historical Context
- Regional differences
- Discontent of the citizens about the peace treaties
- Weaknesses of liberal regime
Key Stages (evidence)
- Rise of Popolari in 1919 (downfall of liberal regime)
- Biennio Rosso (the two red years)
- Formation of Fascio di Combattimento (Fascists of the first hour)
Tactics
- Pact of pacification and formation of PNF
- Gaining support from moderation
- Fascist Violence (the March on Rome)
Key Terminology and People
Key Terminology (1)
• Fascism: A form of radical right-wing government associated with authoritarianism and nationalism. On the far-right
spectrum. Originated in Italy during World War I and influenced by national syndicalism
• Transformismo: The method of establishing a centrist government isolating extreme rightist and leftist politics in Italy
after the unification and before the rise of Mussolini.
• Arditi: The elite storm troops of the Royal Italian Army during WWI. Translates to ‘the daring ones’. They were opposing
the liberal government because they believed that their wartime sacrifices were overlooked by not obtaining the land
Italy was promised. Demobilized in 1920.
• Fasci Italiani di Combattimento (FIC): The Italian Fascist of Combat, until 1919 called Fascist of Revolutionary Action,
was an Italian fascist organization, created by Benito Mussolini in 1914. Split from the Socialist Party and later merged
into the National Fascist Party.
• National Fascist Party: The ruling party of the Kingdom of Italy from 1922-43. Benito Mussolini founded the party in
1919 and served as its Chairman from 1919-43. The Party thrived after Mussolini led thousands of Blackshirts in the
March on Rome and forced King Victor Emmanuel III to appoint him Prime Minister. As the head of state with true
power, Mussolini established a one-party police regime, which lasted until Mussolini was stripped of power by his own
people and ordered to be arrested by the King in 1943. After his capture, the National Fascist Party was destroyed.
• March on Rome: The March on Rome was a march by which Mussolini's National Fascist Party came to power in Italy.
The March took place from 22 to 29 October 1922. Similar with Hitler's Beer Hall Putsch.
• Blackshirts: Also known as the Squadristi. Parallel to Hitler's SA
Key Terminology (2)
• Squadrismo: Consisted of fascist squads who were led by the Ras from 1918-24. It developed from the inspiration
many Ras leaders found from Mussolini, but was not directly controlled by Benito Mussolini. Mainly used to spark fear
and combat the growing Socialist movement which was a big opponent of Fascism.
• Avanti: Italian newspaper published since 25 December 1896. Advocated neutrality after WWI but became infused with
militarist views by its editor Mussolini. As a result he was exiled from the Socialist party and created his own newspaper,
Il Popolo d'Italia.
• Red Week: A week of civil unrest which occurred in June 1914. There was widespread rioting and strikes throughout
the Italian provinces Romagna and the Marche.
• Il Popolo d’Italia: "The People of Italy" was an Italian newspaper founded by Benito Mussolini in 1914, after his split
from the Italian Socialist Party. Used by Mussolini to increase the birth rate, etc.
• Treaty of London (1915): A secret pact between the Triple Entente and Italy, signed in London on 26 April 1915 by the
UK, France, Russia, and the Italy. Attempt to turn Italy against former allies such as Germany and AH. Italy was to leave
the Triple Alliance and join the Triple Entente (Britain, France and Russia). Promised land to Italy if they had victory
• Biennio rosso (1919-20): The "Red Biennium" or the "Two Red Years" was a time of intense social conflict in Italy,
following the First World War. Followed by the violent reaction of the Fascist blackshirts militia and eventually by the
March on Rome of Benito Mussolini in 1922.
• Risorgimento: Italian unification. Merged different Italian states into one in the late nineteenth century.
• Terra irredenta: Means ‘unredeemed land’. Territorial disputes between AH and Italy
Key Terminology (3)
• Triple Alliance (1882): Alliance between Germany, Austria and Italy
• Associazione Nazionalista Italiana (ANI): Formed in 1910, Italy's first nationalist party. Advocated
war with AH to gain the terra irredenta. Merged with the National Fascist Party in 1923.
• Attrition: The process of wearing down the enemy by steady killing. Italian officers often sacrificed
thousands of lives needlessly – in all, over 600,000 Italians were killed, about 450,000 permanently
disabled, and a further 500,000 seriously wounded.
• Bolsheviks: The more revolutionary element of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (a
Marxist party). Led by Lenin and later joined by Leon Trotsky, who both took power in Russia in
November 1917. The Bolsheviks later changed their name to the Russian Communist Party, and
worked hard to aid and encourage socialist revolutions in other regions, especially in more
advanced capitalist countries such as Germany.
• Partito Popolare Italiano (PPI): Combination of liberal and conservative Catholics who defended
Catholic interests. Opposed the Italian Socialist Party and supported by Pope Benedict XV. Won
20% of the vote in 1919-21 and second largest party after the Socialist.
• Syndicalist: People who believed that workers should control the economy through trade unions,
instead of the state. Some evolved into fascists.
• Ras: The Abyssinian word meaning ‘chieftain’. Regional fascist leaders who commanded their own
action squads
Key People (1)
• Benito Mussolini: Grew up to be influenced by his socialist father. Went into politics and
journalism. Between 1904 and 1910, he was viewed as a militant due to his socialist
views in articles. WWI made him extremely nationalistic and therefore we was expelled
from the Italian Socialist Party and created fascism. Ruled Italy from 1922 to 1943.
• Gabriele D’Annunzio (1863–1938): Poet and writer. Ultra nationalist and supported
Italy's entry in WWI on the side of the Triple Entente. Was a pilot and dropped
propaganda leaflets in Austria - thus viewed as a war hero.
• Vittorio Orlando (1860-1952): Italian diplomat and political figure. Represented Italy in
the Paris Peace Conferences.
• Giovanni Giolitti (1842–1928): Prime minister of Italy five times between 1892 and 1921.
Opposed Italy's entry in WWI. Supported by the squadristi and did not oppose their
violence. Supported Mussolini at first but drew back in 1924.
• Filippo Tommaso Marinetti (1876–1944): Writer and artist. Early supporter of Mussolini.
He later went away from what he viewed as the more conservative aspects of fascism,
but still nevertheless was an important influence on it.
Key People (2)
• Italo Balbo (1896–1940): A right-wing republican, Balbo joined the National Fascist Party
in 1921. He became the ras of Ferrara. One of the four main planners of the March on
Rome. In 1923, he became a member of the Fascist Grand Council.
• Roberto Farinacci (1892–1945): Initially a radical nationalist, but soon became involved
in the emerging fascist movement. The ras in Cremona, publishing his own newspaper
and his action squads were among the most brutal in 1919. Ant-clerical and anti-semitic.
• Luigi Facta (1861–1930): Had liberal views. He initially favoured neutrality, but later
supported the war effort of WWI. Facta became prime minister in February 1922.
Dismissed in July, he was soon reappointed, as no one else could form a government. He
was the last prime minister of Italy before Mussolini began his rule.
• Victor Emmanuel III (1869–1947): Victor Emmanuel was the last king of Italy, largely due
to his role during the rise and rule of fascism. Appointed Mussolini as Prime Minister and
condoned his violence. In June 1946, he went into exile in Egypt