Mussolini and the March
on Rome
The Origins of Mussolini
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Mussolini was born in
Predappio, Romagna in July
1883.
He was the son of a school
mistress and a blacksmith. He
absorbed revolutionary (socialist)
ideas from his father.
‘I am a man of the people. I
understand the people because I
am one of them.’
Politics
From 1910 he became heavily involved in the local
socialist party.
He put a lot of his energy into provoking revolution.
He disagreed with the socialist policy towards WWI. He
saw the conflict as a chance to bring revolution closer.
He set up his own movement the Fasci di
Combattimento (Combat group). Only 100 people
came to the inaugural meeting. The only thing they had
in common was a hatred of the Liberal state.
Electoral failure into success
Mussolini’s party contested the 1919 general
election
They performed disastrously.
Mussolini failed to become a deputy
The fascists won no seats at all.
There were only about 4000 supporters in the
whole country by the end of 1920.
However, though a number of mistakes by the
government and the socialist coupled with
Mussolini’s own flair for self publicity support
grew.
People were scared of both the socialists and the
violent squads of Fascists.
However Fascism seemed attractive to Italians in
many ways. In the 1921 elections they gained
7% of the vote. 35 Fascist MPS were elected to
Parliament.
Mussolini was in position, by 1922, to become
Prime Minister of Italy.
The March on Rome
Aug 1 1922 – Socialists called a general strike.
Poor response – called off after a day
However, it raised the spectre of Socialist
Revolution
The Fascists used this to their advantage.
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16 Oct Mussolini and other leaders agreed to
plan an insurrection
24 Oct Mussolini publicly told Fascist squads
that Fascism would either be appointed or
would seize power.
27 Oct Mussolini seemed on the verge of
accepting a ministerial post in a new liberal
government. He held out for more.
Fascist groups concentrated in three areas within
marching distance of Rome.
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Overnight Fascists try to take control of
communications in major cities around Italy.
Success is limited
Facta, the Prime Minister agreed to take
military action against the fascists.
28 Oct King agrees to martial law but later
changes his mind. Facta resigned and was
replaced by Salandra
29 Oct Salandra advised that Mussolini be
appointed PM. King agreed.
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30 Oct Mussolini
arrived in Rome.
King Victor
Emmanuel
appointed him PM.
The Fascist squads
start arriving.
31 Oct Most squads
arrived by train for a
parade before the
King and Mussolini.