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Benito Mussolini founded the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento in Milan. This marked the beginning of the fascist movement in Italy, with Mussolini as its leader.
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Mussolini and his followers organized the March on Rome, a large demonstration demanding political changes. Although the march was largely peaceful, it played a crucial role in convincing King Victor Emmanuel III to appoint Mussolini as Prime Minister, fearing a potential coup.
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King Victor Emmanuel III appointed Mussolini as Prime Minister of Italy, allowing him to form a government. Mussolini's appointment marked the official beginning of fascist rule in Italy.
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Mussolini continued to suppress political opposition, curtail civil liberties, and consolidate totalitarian rule in Italy. The regime became increasingly authoritarian, with the suppression of dissent and the establishment of a one-party state.
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The Acerbo Law was passed, changing the electoral system to favor the party with the largest share of the vote, guaranteeing a two-thirds majority in the Chamber of Deputies. This further solidified the fascist grip on political power.
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Taking advantage of the crisis and the absence of opposition, Mussolini persuaded the King to grant him dictatorial powers through the "Legge Acerbo," further consolidating his control.
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Giacomo Matteotti, a prominent socialist and critic of Mussolini, was assassinated by fascist squad members. This event led to widespread public outrage and condemnation, creating a political crisis.
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In protest against the murder of Matteotti, opposition parties walked out of the Italian Parliament in what became known as the Aventine Secession. This left the Fascists with a monopoly on political power.
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Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaty with the Vatican, officially recognizing the independence of Vatican City and establishing Catholicism as the state religion. This move gained Mussolini support from the Catholic Church, further solidifying his regime's stability.