Italy: The Rise of Fascism 1918-1925Italy: The Rise of Fascism 1918-1925

The Origins of Fascism in Italy

Key Themes for the lesson

The shift from Left to Right

How was Mussolini able to move the Fascists from being a Socialist movement in 1919 to a Right Wing political party by 1921?

The Formation of the Fascist MovementThe Formation of the Fascist Movement

Formed at a meeting of about 100 people in a hall in Milan 23rd March 1919

Named Fascio di Combattimento Ex Soldiers, former socialists, “Syndicalists”, “Futurists” No clear aims or manifesto Mussolini made it clear that he wanted to seize power Showed contempt for political parties- wanted the Fascists

to be a movement- more flexible than a political party: therefore could attract a wide range of support

How successful was Fascism?How successful was Fascism?

Mussolini undecided about what he wanted at first- no coherent programme

On the other hand this gave him flexibility not to be tied to a particular doctrine

To begin with the programme was republican, anti clerical, female suffrage (votes for women) , minimum wage, PR

November 1919 election Fascists got less than 5000 votes Only 1000 members at the end of 1919 Economic situation dominated post-war Italy- importantly Fascists seen

as being a rival to the PSI- also seen as too aggressive. PSI more established.

Decision to enter the election was a mistake- but crucial in the change of direction

What is Fascism?

The word ‘fascio’ literally means ‘group’ or ‘bunch’ Mussolini’s squads were called ‘Fascio di

Combattimento Mussolini took the ‘fasces’ tightly bound rods and axe

as the symbol- this was a symbol of power that a Roman Magistrate used as the symbol of office

Fascists wore a black- shirt uniform- this was also the uniform of the ‘shock brigades’ Arditi from WWI. D’ Annunzio had also used them in Fiume

straight arm salute - used by the ancient Romans

THE ORIGINAL FASCISTS

EX SOLDIERS

EXPERIENCE OF WAR

NATIONAL REVOLUTION

DISSATISFACTION WITH THE STATUS QUO

Although radical and ‘left wing’- Fascists fought early on with PSI who were seen as traitors. Fascism was seen as a way of providing radical ‘nationalist- socialist’ alternative

THE FEARS OF THE RURAL AND URBAN ELITE

The ‘Socialist threat’ was not being handled by the government. Therefore many were willing to fund the Fascist squads to fight Socialism

MUSSOLINI MAKES HIS MOVE

It is important to emphasise the localised nature of Fascism- dealing with Socialism in the towns and countryside. The Shift to the Right was Mussolini’s attempt to attract more than just ex soldiers and disaffected workers to his programme.

RURAL FASCISM

The organisation of local fascist leaders or Ras- who set up the Fascist ‘Squads’

THE CONCERNS OF THE RASSelling out?

MISCALCULATION BY GOVERNMENT- FOOTHOLD IN POWER

By 1921 the Fascists had gained 35 seats in parliament.

SEIZURE OF POWER/ LEGAL REVOLUTION?

Formation of the PNF

SummarySummary

‘‘Fascism had elements of both left and Fascism had elements of both left and right…It was revolutionary but could also right…It was revolutionary but could also claim to be conservative. It was monarchist claim to be conservative. It was monarchist but also republican at different times. It was but also republican at different times. It was Catholic but also anti clerical; it claimed to be Catholic but also anti clerical; it claimed to be Socialist, but also could be strongly capitalist Socialist, but also could be strongly capitalist whenever it suited the whenever it suited the DuceDuce to be so. Fascism to be so. Fascism was not a doctrine, not ideas, not ideology, was not a doctrine, not ideas, not ideology, but was really a means for winning power by but was really a means for winning power by a single man’a single man’D Mack Smith ‘Sleeping Car to Power’ (1990)D Mack Smith ‘Sleeping Car to Power’ (1990)

Which direction for Mussolini?

Pressure from both radicals and moderates Would Mussolini go for ‘revolution’ or ‘normalisation’ Had to perform a balancing act- Fascists were small in number

in parliament (35) and there were only 4 Fascists in the Cabinet. Ras had got him into power. However the Elite could keep him

there Power had been gained through threats and violence- not by

widespread support Mussolini now P.M- he had to deliver and solve Italy’s

problems- would this be ‘just another coalition government?- King could sack him at any point.

1922- ‘Creeping Dictatorship’?

November 1922- granted emergency powers for one year to deal with immediate domestic problems

Creation of a Fascist Grand Council- alternative to the Cabinet

Creation of a new Fascist Militia- MVSN Mussolini’s aim was to somehow gain a

Fascist majority in Parliament

The Acerbo Law July 1923

Mussolini’s attempt to gain a Fascist majority in parliament- named after the Fascist Deputy who suggested the bill in parliament.

Replace the P.R system- 25% of the votes would deliver 2/3 of the seats in Parliament

This was passed overwhelmingly in Parliament. Blackshirts watched the vote taking place in the parliament

chamber In the 1924 election the Fascists gained 2/3 of the votes

Crisis for Mussoloni- The Murder of Matteotti