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2. The
Becoming of the Politician 1910 - 1920:
- In 1912 he becomes editor of
the socialist newspaper “Avanti!”. This is a pretty big
position within the Socialist Party.
- Around this time Mussolini participates
and supports strikes and he also protests against the Libyan
War.
- Mussolini spends five months
in prison for violent protests against this war.
- In May 1913 he strongly
support the strikes in Milan.
- In 1914 he is expelled from
the Socialist Party after claiming that Italy should join WW1.
- According to Mussolini the
way to power lies in the Revolution, but the only way to achieve this is
by stirring up nationalistic sentiments among the Italian people.
Joining the war should do this.
- Mussolini starts his own
Pro-War newspaper Popolo D’Italia.
- Mussolini goes to war, he
gets wounded and likes it real good. In war men become men according to
Mr. Mussolini.
- Mussolini becomes one of the
leading figures of the Fascist Movement.
- In 1919, march 23, the movement
is founded thru an ad in Popolo D’Italia.
- The full Italian name is: Fascio
Italiano di Combattimento (meaning Italian Combat Group).
- Young fascists organized in Squadristi,
similar to the SA, and they fought in the streets against socialists.
- This gives Mussolini some
problem: since on one hand supported “the action rather than talk
method” but on the other hand wanted to convince other groups of
society that he was a reliable politician.
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2.
Foreign Affairs from 1910-1920:
Italy
attacks Turkey and gains Libya.
WW1
breaks out. Italy remains neutral at the beginning.
In May
1915 Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary and Germany.
- Italy claimed that Austria
was the aggressor and hence they would remain neutral.
- Italy tried to negotiate with
Austria to get territory. Austria said no.
- In April Italy Signs the
Treaty of London with France and GB.
- This is a tremendous chance
to take, if Austria had won the faith of Italy would be very dark.
Italy at
war:
- In Oct. 1917 at the battle
of Capretto the Austrians defeat the Italians.
- In 1918 the Italians win
at Vittorio Veneto against Austria. More due to Austrian problems
than Italian splendor.
- 1,3 million Italians die in
the war.
- In order to finance the war
the Italian state indebted itself causing a huge after war inflation.
Versailles
Peace Treaty:
- Actually Italy got more than
they deserved, but Italian nationalists claimed that the victory at
Vittorio Veneto was “THE BATTLE” that turned the war.
- Italy got South Tyrol and
Istria.
The
Seizure of Fiume
in 1919, by D’Annuzio.
- This shows that action can be
taken against the peace treaty. Big propaganda number for future
fascists and nationalists.
- The political leadership of
Italy suffers a big propaganda loss, seems to be unpatriotic cowards.
- The occupation of Fiume was
ended by Italian military against Italian occupiers after 15 months.
- The leadership of Giolotti
was severely questioned by the Italian population.
This
combined with the economic and social problems in post-war Italy left the
government in somewhat of a vacuum. In this climate the fascist could gain
power.
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3.The
Fascists get in power 1920 – 22:
- In 1921 Mussolini tries to
smooth things over with the socialists, and as the leader of the newly
founded Fascist movement he signs The Pact of Pacification with
the socialists.
- This upsets the leaders of
the local squadristi, and the Leadership of Mussolini is questioned. He
can stay in power by backing down from the pact.
- Throughout 1921 the Fascist
Movement becomes a Political party, formally established in Oct 1921 as
Partito Nazionale Fascista.
- This transformation from a
revolutionary movement to an established political party wanting to have
seats in the parliament is important since it leaves Mussolini with an
unsolved dilemma; How should he stay in power within the fascist
party meanwhile attracting the more conservative voter?
- The answer? Family Values!
Mussolini tries to win over the Church by posing as a Family party,
opposing to sinful living and divorces.
- Simultaneously the violence
from the squadristi continued. This however was beneficiary to
Mussolini since he could show that HE had tried to stop the
violence, but elements within his movement opposed, if other
politicians tried to stop Mussolini the violence would only get worst.
- Throughout the summer and
autumn of 1922 local squadristi had taken control of almost all local
governments or organized strikes and acts of violence in the areas that
meant that the government could not function any longer.
- The Liberal government in
Rome had two options either cooperate with the fascists or strike down
on them with military.
- Military option not
available.
- On October 24 1922 Mussolini
threatens to March to Rome and seize power.
- He politically blackmailed
the government – either the let the fascists into government or he would
let loose a revolution leading to a fascist government.
- Mussolini goes to Milan and
starts his march towards Rome.
- On October 28 5 am the Prime
Minister Facta after having checked for loyalty among the military he
decides to meet Mussolini with force.
- This decision has to be
signed by the King, and he refuses, Facta resigns as Prime
Minister. Now the King has to appoint a new one.
- Mussolini is appointed Prime
Minister on October 31 1922. BUT in a coalition government.
- This turns out to be a
brilliant move, since he shows his critics within the party that he
is a man of action and at the same time he forces the government
to cooperate with him and he gets closer to his goal as ruler of
Italy.
- As with Hitler the
conservative elements in government seeks to cooperate with Mussolini.
As with Hitler it fails.
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5. The
Fascist Dictatorship1925 - 1935:
- In December 1925 Mussolini
passes a law giving all power to him.
- Later that year he banned
all other political parties.
- The Fascist Government replaces
local politicians with fascists.
- He gives the Secret Police
(OVRA) the right to arrest and punish without a trial.
- He sets up a special court
for political crimes.
- Starts his Opera Nazionale
Dopolavoro (National Recreation Operation)
- As in Hitler’s Germany this
goes quick. Within a year most these laws are passed and the
Dictatorship is a fact.
- Mussolini obtained more and
more personal power, fascists as well as non-fascists were in
danger if they criticized him.
- Mussolini starts his half-assed
economic programs.
- Mussolini reaches an
agreement with the church.
- The Military remains in
control of the King.
- The King is still head of
State.
- Most policies deal with
internal Italian questions, Mussolini wants to clean up his own
backyard before he will enter the international arena.
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5.
Fascist Foreign Policy 1922-1935:
- Italy obtains Fiume 1924 from
Yugoslavia
- Mussolini invades Corfu
1923 but withdraws after pressure from GB.
- Albania is declared an Italian Protectorate
in 1926 and in 1939 it was annexed.
- Libya was firmly colonized
and by 1932
it was under Fascist control.
- By signing the Locarno
Pact of 1925 guaranteeing the borders in northern Europe and by
signing the Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 promising to solve things
peacefully Italy and Mussolini emerged as a great European power and
leader. (See interwar years for these agreements.)
- In 1934 he moved troops close
to the Austrian border, making a mark against Germany.
- In 1935 the Stresa Front, along with France and GB
Italy joined in a protest against the German rearmament. And pledged to
resist any action that would threaten the peace.
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