Squadrismo- the Squads

Fascist Vigilante Squads Responded to the ‘threat from the

left’ Made up of ex soldiers, middle

class students- also semi criminal element

As they proved their ability to deal with the Socialists- farmers, sharecroppers joined the ranks

Responsible for intimidation- burning down Socialist newspaper offices, beating up trade unionists

Victims often forced to drink castor oil (sometimes mixed with petrol)

Ras Ras- local fascist leaders-

grassroots ‘chief’ Gave some coherence to the

squad violence- allowed them to maintain power in local areas

Important in the development of agrarian Fascism- support in the countryside

Large and small landowners feared socialist ideas of collectivisation and were only too willing to support Fascism as well as maintain their own power bases

Blackshirts- 250,000 Party Members- 500,000 Helped by the disunity of opponents to Fascism Toleration and collaboration by local leaders / Elite Foothold in parliament- 35 seats- but hadn’t won huge

electoral support. But overall strength of the Fascists was exaggerated- this

may have led the King to miscalculate in 1922. Socialist power had peaked before 1922- which meant that

if there was no longer a ‘threat’ there was perhaps no need for Fascist.

Again Socialist attempt at a General Strike in Aug 1922 played into the hands of the Fascists.

Some leaders within the government considered bringing Fascism into power as part of a coalition as way of ‘taming’ the squads.

Was the March on Rome a coup d’ etat?Who were the Quadrumvirs?In what ways was the March on Rome similar to

the Munich Putsch?How important is the King in Mussolini’s rise to

power?Did Mussolini sleep on the train to Rome?How important were squad takeovers of towns to

the King’s decision to appoint Mussolini P.M?What was the content of the telephone

conversation between De Vecchi and Rachele Mussolini?

16th October- leading Fascists plan the uprising24th October- Fascist Congress- Blackshirts chant ‘A

Roma’27th October- plan to mobilise in and around Rome27th / 28th Oct P.M Facta decides to use Martial Law28th Oct- King intially agrees to sign Martial Law, then

refuses. Facta resignsSalandra takes over-Mussolini refuses to join the govt.29th Oct- Mussolini invited to become PM- Mussolini

takes the train!30th Oct- Mussolini appointed P.M31st Oct- squads arrive for a symbolic march past

In a symbolic sense, yes. The squads and the Ras got their parade in Rome- but this was the day after Mussolini has become P.M

BUT! The seizure of power in the provinces by local squads is important in understanding why the govt. moved to bring Mussolini into the government. Successful takeovers in Padua, Venice, Modena.

The marchers themselves only numbered about 15,000 by Oct 28th .They could have been dealt with easily by the army and the police had Martial Law been declared.

Numbers increased once Mussolini had been appointed.GOVERNMENT INACTION IS CENTRAL TO

UNDERSTANDING THE SUCCESS OF THE FASCISTS

The PopeGiolittiThe Elite industrialists (The Confidustria)Opposition (Socialists weak and divided)The ArmyThe Press

Clark- Mussolini did not seize power- he was brought into the system.

Blinkhorn- complex!- failure of govt to involve more people in the nation’s affairs. Italians not attached to liberalism or Socialism- Mussolini compromised in order to get into power- no revolution.

Tannebaum- Lack of consensus in Italian politics. Liberals did not prepare the people to be involved in the nation’s political life

Carocci- Conservatives wanted to halt to advance of democracy- go back to the good old days

Kedward- examine the wide appeal of Fascism firstAbse- class conflict