1. Mussolini’s March on Rome (1922) BY: NEVE, KEITH, MAIYA, ANDREW, SABAH, TJ

2. The Beginning of Mussolini’s Rule  Came to Power in late October 1922  Marked the Beginning of Fascist Rule  Marked the doom of the socialists liberals  Planned an Insurrection(an act of rising in revolt)  Fascists armed squads known as Blackshirts  Luigi Facta had resigned as Prime Minister but still acted as it

3. Preparations for the “March”  Out of the fascist party the black shirts were formed in august 1920 they broke the socialist movement  The march was organized by general Emilio De Bono< Italio Balbo, and Michele Bienchi and Cesare Maria de Vecchi

4. The Beginnings of a Revolt  Facta ordered a state of siege for Rome -King Victor Emmanuel the 3 rd refused to sign it -Means Army which might have stopped Mussolini was not called on to oppose the Fascists  Reason for Refusal: Feared he would lose his throne if he refused to with the Fascists, avoid civil war. Hoped to neutralize the fascists by associating them with natural government.

5. Armed Fascists  Armed Fascists would be near Rome. If the government failed to meet these demands, they would march into Rome, and take over by the use of force.  Mussolini would demand the resignation of the government and that a new Fascist government be allowed to take over.

6. Propoganda or Myth? (What really happened)  “The March” was a propaganda myth: Mussolini traveled overnight by train from Malin to Rome where he formed a government the following day.  Some 25,000 Fascists Blackshirts were also transported to Rome where they marched in the ceremonial parade on October 21,1922  “Brought the Fascist Leader to power and enabled him to stay there for 23 years”  No actual march of Rome

7. The Outcome  On October 29 th, 1922, Mussolini was summoned to meet the king in Rome.  Mussolini arrived on October 30 th and was sworn in as Prime Minister.  Only then were the Fascists who had gathered outside of Rome allowed to march in triumph through Rome.  Just Five years earlier, Mussolini had been a corporal in the Italian Army fighting in World War One.  Mussolini was later known as “The Italian King”.