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Italian Intervention or Neutrality in WWI?
While the Italian Parliament was debating intervention or neutrality in the war, interventionists (many of which were fasci, a mix of anarcho-syndicalists and national socialists hoping war would quicken revolution) demanded that Italy should become involved. Benito Mussolini was among those that believed Italy should become involved, and was thrown out of the Socialist party for this belief. -
The Treaty of London
Italy secretly signed the Treaty of London after much internal debate about involvement in WWI. The treaty promised that Italy join the war on the side of the Triple Entente (France, Great Britain, and Russia). -
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Post-WWI Disorder in Italy
Conditions in Italy after WWI were chaotic. Italy was unable to successfully get large territorial gains from Paris Peace Conference, and the government didn't provide the economic solutions or land reforms to help peasants that they promised. Peasants started to revolt and seize land from large landlords, and strikes in the cities sprouted from failed promises of working class reforms and high unemplyment rates.Trade declined and taxes rose; all in all, the people of Italy were unhappy. -
Socialist Party Starts to Overtake the Government
The peasants' revolts were inspired by the Socialists, and in turn the Socialists began to gain more power in government. Most people in Italy became convinced that the government would fall completely to socialism. -
Mussolini Forms the Fascist Party
In 1919, Mussolini formed the Fascist Party. Mussolini, a veteran of WWI himself, gathered angry war veterans together to form a group called the Black Shirts. Their shirts were meant to emulate an earlier nationalist revolt. The Black Shirts were a paramilitary force used to intimidate opponents who rejected the democratic process and were in favor of violence. -
Mussolini Breaks the Socialist Strike
Socialists called a general strike in 1922 in an attempt to force the government to take action against the rising Fascist Party. Mussolini, however, used this to his advantage. He claimed that Socialists were a threat to Italy and that only the Fascists could stop them. The Fascists were then able to break the strike by attacking strikers and taking over public transport systems and postal services. The Socialist called off the strike on August 3rd. -
Fascists March on Rome
The ras, or Fascist leaders, wanted to move from local to national power and proposed to send a Fascist march to Rome. Mussolini agreed and led the Black Shirts, along with 30,ooo other fascists, in the march. The government was forced to resign. -
Mussolini Becomes the Premier of Italy
After the Fascist march on Rome, King Emmanuel III asked Mussolini to become premier, fearing civil war in Italy. Therefore, Mussolini came to power legally. The premier, or prime minister, of Italy is a very high position that holds a great amount of power (but should not be as influential as the King). Mussolini, however, would go on to become far more powerful than King Emmanuel III. -
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Mussolini Transforms Italy into a Totalitarian State
Once he became premier, Mussolini slowly turned Italy into a totalitarian state. He appointed Fascists to key and local national positions, and the black shirts became the national militia of Italy. Over this time Mussolini would establish complete political, social, and cultural control over the people of Italy. -
Fascists get the Majority Vote in 1924 Elections
Mussolini, seeking to increase the power of the Fascist Party, pressured political parties and the press, and used his national militia (the Black Shirts) to intimidate voters. The candidates backed by Mussolini won 65% of the vote. -
An Outspoken Critic of Fascism is Murdered
Mussolini secretly ordered the murder of an outspoken critic to eliminate opposition to his popularity. Members of Parliament left in protest, hoping that the king would dismiss Mussolini in response. King Emmanuel III, however, did nothing. The action of the Parliament members actually benefited Mussolini because he did no longer have any opposition to face in court. -
Mussolini takes the Title of "Il Duce"
At this time, Mussolini had taken the title of Il Duce, meaning "the leader." He was covering the public with propaganda, trying to make it seem as if he was the perfect leader. He was getting the word out that he was the best and would do the best things for the people of Italy. -
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Fascists Get More Power in Italy
The Fascists begin to gain more power during 1925 and 1926. They forced non-Fascists out of the government, and other political parties slowly started to dissolve. The democracy was abolished. The Fascists even censored radio stations and publications to promote their ideas and opinions. Trade unions were banned and Mussolini used the secret police to eliminate enemies. All of these actions combined to increase the Fascists’ power in Italy. -
Mussolini Gains the Pope’s Support
Mussolini gained the support of Pope Pius XI by recognizing Vatican City as an independent state. The Pope still disagreed with some of Mussolini’s goals and actions, but supported him nonetheless. -
General Acceptance of Mussolini
By this time, most of the general public of Italy accepted and supported Mussolini. Despite the new dictatorship, he mostly preserves the old order; the monarchy, Catholic church and large landowners still had some independence. -
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Mussolini Shapes the People of Italy
Mussolini shaped the people of Italy during this time. He created roles for all members of the family; men were supposed to be ruthless fighters, women had no paying jobs and were told to “win the battle of motherhood” (Mussolini would even present medals to women who had 14 or more children), and young children were trained to be young Fascists that would grow up to become Italian soldiers. -
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State Control of the Economy
Mussolini preserved capitalism in Italy and started state control of the economy as a method of ending the conflicts between large land owners and workers. He prohibited workers’ strikes and workers had very low wages, but production increased substantially.
