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Mussolini becoming leader of Italy - Coggle Diagram
Mussolini becoming leader of Italy
Position of M in 1922
33 deputies
Balbo 50,000 men to occupy Ferrara in May then Bologna
Farinacci led savage attacks on Socialists in Cremona
September squadristi from Venice seized towns in South Tyrol (German speaking)
Socialist movement split in 2 Jan 1921-small Communist party partly financed by Moscow
Fascists controlled parts of country instead of gov-central gov powerless
weakly supported general strike in July-ineptitude of Left wing politics
central gov in shambles-falling out between Popolari + Giolitti meant Luigi Facta was P.M in Feb-reluctantly accepted-thought himself as a caretaker until G made coalition
M could've used fascist squads to bring him into power
high risk strategy
intervention of army would mean destruction
M knowledge of risks + ongoing negotiations w/ liberal leaders-twin strategy of planning a coup + negotiating for gov position
legal appointment:
more respect from politicians + countries
army couldn't crush Fascists
put down Socialist strike because gov asked-showing Fascists can be trusted + involved in gov
keeps Fascist squads happy-put down strike + intimidate liberals
negotiating w/ major politicians abt gov including Fascists
Political impact of threats posed by Fascism
M's price for keeping supporters in check was 4 Cabinet ministers w/ himself as Prime Minister
M key figure bringing Fascists into office
M didn't have much support in Parliament nor w/ people
M didn't have much control + wouldn't have become PM just on support alone
Mussolini appointed as P.M
King:
accepted then rejected martial law-first time acting against ministers in 22 yrs
appointed M as P.M
feared civil war + Pro-Fascist cousin as rival-Duke of Aosta
Queen Mother pro-Fascist
doubted army could resist march
Facta:
led weak gov Feb-Oct 1922
failed to act against Fascist threats+violence
asked King for martial law then resigned when it was refused
Giolitti:
80 yr old Master of It Politics-politician M feared most
failed to come to Rome to be directly involved in negotiations in new gov
eventually supported M's gov
Army Generals:
some generals sympathised w/ Fascists
6 generals involved in March on Rome
Marshal Diaz to King-"Army will do its duty...would be well not to put it to the test"-didn't want to put down Fascists
Pope:
friendly w/ M
when Bishop of Milan-allowed Fascist banners in church
Oct-urged need for peaceful settlement
Socialists:
didn't call general strike in response to M's appointment
saw Fascism's success as sign of collapse of Liberal state + prelude to revolution
appointed 30 Oct 1922