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Participation in War
In 1915 Italy signed the treaty of London and promised to join the war on the side of the Triple Entente. This was a decision made by the leading liberal politicians, even though many members of the fasci, and the right-wing nationalist Associazione Nazionalista Italiana (ANI) had different opinions on Italy’s participation in the war. -
Italy Joined The Allies
Italy agreed to join allies with France and Britain, but France and Britain promise to give them certain Austro-Hungarian territories. When the war ended Italy only gained half the land they promised and the other half went to some corrupted country. The broken promise outraged Italian nationalist. -
Fascist Move Began
Fascist movement began without a cohesive organization or ideology, also no parliamentary seats. Mussolini won large territorial gains at the Paris Peace Conference. Mussolini founded the fascist party. Mussolini organized veterans and other discontented Italians into the Fascist party. -
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Beginning of Facism
The right-wing groups such as the arditi and the Fasci di Combattimento used increasing violence against the left. Mussolini established the National Fascist Party, and local fascist leaders began to take over various towns and regions. -
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Mussolini Success
Mussolini had hope of achieving real power and he was determined to make full use of his opportunities. To achieve full he realized he had to convince the industrialists, landowners and the middle classes. He had to convince them of: liberal was finished as a political force; that there was a real threat of socialist revolution; and restore order and dignity to Italy. -
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Beginning Years of Facism
The Italian government failed to gain promised territory during the Treaty of Versailles peace negotiation. Economic struggles were not resolved which angered Italians, as a result of this, many peasants began to revolt, also many socialist-led strikes and factory occupations took place. (Italian Socialist Party) This group was considered a threat to Mussolini’s rule. They tried to change the government from liberal state to socialist republic. -
Internal Threats
Arditi formed themselves into organised groups. In January the first Ariditi Association was established in Rome. Filippo Tommaso Marinetti created another group in Milan. Across Italy more groups were formed in the month of February to go against Italian society. These groups used weapons to attack socialists and trade unionists who were seen as the enemies of Italian nation. -
Fascist Violence
The factory and land occupations had begin to decline, but squadristi violence didn’t start yet. Not quickly after the decline fas leaders such as Italo Balbo in Ferrara and Dino Grandi in Bologna organised some attacks. Mussolini soon realized the political and financial opportunities by more organized use of squadristi. Finally Mussolini made a speech in which declared fascist violence. -
Electoral Pact
Mussolini established the National Fascist Party then made an electoral pact with the liberals. There was only 35 parliamentary seats. Giolitti proposed the fascist an electoral alliance or also known as an anti socialist National Bloc for the national election held on May 1921. D'Annunzio forced the latter to surrender control of Fiume in January 1921. April, Mussolini announced that fascist violence would be part of an anti-socialist crusade. -
Becoming Prime Minester
Benito Mussolini was a fascist leader, who became prime minister of Italy, and within a few years he had created a totalitarian state. He noticed the lack of government support, which convinced him to reach out to the Black Shirts to march in Rome. 30,000 fascists marched in Rome, they began to take over towns and regions, known as the ‘March on Rome.’ -
Backing Canidates
in the election the candidates backed by Mussolini winning 65% of the votes. To gain votes Mussolini used national militia which were the black shirts. Mussolini has so much power that who ever he is backing will win in a landslide. When in power he turned Italy into a totalitarian state. -
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II Duce
II Duce goals were to control the economy by allying the Fascist along with industrialists and large landowners. He abolished democracy, suppressed rival parties, and outlawed all political parties although not Fascists. Young soldiers stood on II Duce side to expand Italian powers because loyalty to the state was important they focused on making warriors fighting for Italy. Italy remained a parliamentary monarchy and II Duce never had full control. -
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Ensuring His Power
Mussolini forced non-Fascist out of the government, dissolved all other parties, and imposed tight censorship on the press. He banned trade unions, also ensured his power over local government. Created a secret police to remove any enemies of the state to enforce his one party dictatorship. To ensure his power he also rigged elections and used intimidation and violence to inspire fear. -
Support from Pope Pius X
Mussolini gained support from Pope Pius X. In return the pope gave permission to make Vatican CIty an independent state. But the Pope didn’t agree with most of Mussolini's goals. This shows how much power Mussolini had over everybody, Even the pope listened to Mussolini even if he didn’t agree with him. -
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Ciano, Mussolini's Successor
Ciano was Mussolini successor, and got caught by his government in Northern Italy. As his punishment he was tried for treason and was executed by a shot in the back. Mussolini still served as a model for ambitious strongmen elsewhere in Europe.
