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Rise of Fascism - Coggle Diagram
Rise of Fascism
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Fascist Supporters
Petty Bourgoisie: insecure so turned to radicalism. Many were ex-soldiers who believed in mutilated victory. They also thought themselves entitled to rewards for their service from the gov, but got none.
Rural lower/middle class through Farmers They feared collectivism and were angered by resented socialist land leagues for bullying farmers to hire unneeded labour. Willing to support fascists who stood up to socialists
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Students/Youth: annoyed about rising wages of unpatriotic workers and their own lack of prospects. fascism gave them excitement.
Demoralised workers: as fascists smashed socialist and catholic unions, they had to join fascist syndicates.
Working class: fascism still kept some original socialist radicalism, like giving land to peasants, fair wages and prices.
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Birth of Fascism
War convinced M Italy needed a regime which would settle class warfare and provide dynamic leadership at home and abroad.
By early 1919, M decided to turn his thoughts into action. He called inaugral meeting of Fascisti di Combattimento. Only about 100 came, and had little in common bar hatred for liberals and contempt for class struggle rhetoric of socialists
They drew up a political programme which contained an italian republic, control and tax of private wealth and workers to have significant shares of the businesses they worked in.
Early failure: early fascist movement lacked cohesion to form disciplined party. Nov 1919: M failed to become a deputy and polled 5,000 out of 270,000 votes in milan. Won no seats. By the end of the year there were about 4000 declared fascist supporters in italy.
Socialism
Occupation of the factories: In Sep 1920, workers in disputes about wages occupied their factories to prevent employers locking them out. Employers demanded gov crush it but Giolitti wouldn't. This enraged industrialists, particularly with PM encouraging them to make concessions to workers. When it became apparent workers were making weapons in the factories, conservatives feared the revolution had arrived: in their eyes gov was failing. Occupation collapsed, but industrialists/conservatives didn't forgive him.
Socialist advances in countryside: Landowners complainig about socialist threat. Agricultural strikes and land occupations were continuing. Socialist trade unions were expanding and beginning to exert influence over agricultural employment. In Emilia, they wanted higher wages and guarantees workers wouldn't be laid off in quieter times. In some areas, workers couldn't gain employment unless through a socialist job centre. If landowners resisted, they would face disruption and even physical attack.
Socialist electoral advances: In late 1920 local elections, they won 26/69 provinces. Urban middle classes feared socialists would now raise taxes on rich. Shopkeepers concerned about potential competition from socialist co-operatives which offered cheaper food.
Anti-Socialist reaction: By the end of 1920, the upper middle classes fought back: they turned to fascist groups. Nov 1920 saw one of the first early examples of Fascist violence when the inauguration of the new socialist council in bologna turned into a riot. Violence continued through winter and spring of 1920-21 destroying over 80 trade union offices, leaving 200 dead and 800 wounded. Police looked the other way.
March on Rome
Many fascists wanted him to seize power, and by seizing power he could satisfy more radical fascists and intimidate liberals.
fascist squads organised into a militia and plans to seize major towns and cities. around 30,000 would storm rome and install themselves into power and crush any resistance.
M realised attitude of King was crucial. As commander-in-chief he could order army to crush fascism if he wished. Oct 27: fascist squads seized town halls, telephone exchanges and railways systems in italy. On 28, Facta persuaded king to declare a state of seige by king changed his mind: the king lacked confidence in his gov and was anxious to avoid a violent showdown with the fascists. Facta's gov then resigned. Salandra tried to negotiate with them
Kings decision: Unsure why he made this choice. May have feared civil war, or feared his cousin (Duke of Aosta, a known fascist supporter) was waiting to depose him if he acted against mussolini. But he probably had little love lost for the government, beleiveing fascism should take over.
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