Mussolini: Rise to Power
Long Term Causes Italy was unified, but not united. Weak Liberal Monarchy Regional Differences North – industrial and more prosperous South – agricultural and poor Cultural differences Politically Fractured Liberals versus Socialists and Anarchists Church hostility Imperial aspirations
Italy and WW1 Delayed entering the war due to territorial aspirations Neutrality vs Intervention Interventionists were a strange mix of ultra-nationalists and socialists Treaty of London – 1915 – entered the war on the side of the Allies.
Outcome of the War The war was a disaster for Italy Peace treaties did not give the Italians what they desired. National debt increased due to war borrowing from UK and US Inflation running at 400% Impacted the middle class who lost their investments and savings Unemployment at 2 million Loss of real wages Heightened North/South divisions Northern industries profited from the war.
Mutilated Victory Italy entered the war with great hopes for economic development and territorial expansion Got neither D’Annunzio coined the phrase “mutilated victory.”
Biennio Rosso Two red years Period of strikes and civil unrest Factory and land occupations Government does not take action – but encourages compromise. Encourages land and factory owners to make concessions to stave off a socialist revolution. Heightened frustration among Factory and land owners. Fascists appear on the scene to support the owners.
Fascism Awakens Fascist groups had formed all over central and northern Italy. No unified organisation or ideology Largely made up of ex-soldiers (officers and NCO’s) Arditi – the daring ones – Black Shirts Targetted socialists and trade unions. Hire themselves out to the elites to challenge the red threat. Mussolini tries to create a united party – The Fascists of the First Hour Opposed by Ras Common ideology – hatred of the liberal state and socialists and a belief in violence.
The First Steps Mussolini continues to build alliances with the economic elite. Continues to beat the drum of anti-Bolshevism Participates in the 1921 election – a coalition with other groups. 1921 first election with proportional representation Fascists win 7% of the vote, giving them 35 seats in parliament. Mussolini is one of the chosen ones.
Mussolini and the Elites The elites saw the liberal governments as weak and ineffective. They were threatened by the increasing militancy of the socialists and anarchists. General strike of 1921 They had political and imperial aspirations. Mussolini’s new party – the PNF (National Fascist party) offered a viable alternative. An organised and united political party Against socialism and liberalism Promised a strong and ordered Italy
Why were Mussolini and the Fascists successful? Liberals were a spent force There was a real socialist threat – Italy was on the verge. Fascists promised order and dignity.
The March on Rome 1922 More myth than reality The country was in chaos Fascist groups had seized power in the north and were demanding more control. Balbo pressures Mussolini to become more aggressive in his pursuit of power. The PM urges the King to declare martial law – ultimately refuses. Offers Mussolini the role of PM – Mussolini accepts and takes power March continues, but is a moot point.
Fascist Ideology There is NO clear idoelogy – it is a party of “anti”. Mussolini declared it a party of “action and mood, not doctrine.” Anti Liberal Socialism Democracy Pacifism Pro Action Authority The State
Fascism – attempts at definition Alexander de Grand (historian on Italian Fascism – origins and development) Five Contradictory Beliefs National Syndicalism – the left of the party – republican and anti-clerical Technocratic Fascism – Modernists Rural fascism – anti-urban and anti-modern Conservative Fascism – tradition, monarchy and church Nationalist Fascism – authoritarian and imperialist
Fascist Ideology cont’d Generic Fascism Populist and revolutionary Undermine or destroy existing political order Leadership priniple Action and violence