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The Rise and Fall of Fascism in Italy, c1911–46

Mussolini and the development of fascism, 1919–22

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 2

Overview

Recall questions on his background, the founding of the Fasci and their radical first programme, the failure of 1919, the squadristi, and who paid them.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Who were the squadristi (Blackshirts)?

Numbers

What was Mussolini's background?

Numbers

When and how were the Fasci di Combattimento founded?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    When and where did Mussolini found the fascist movement?

    Model answer

    In Milan in March 1919, as the Fasci di Combattimento.

  2. 2

    Who were the squadristi (Blackshirts)?

    Model answer

    Fascist paramilitary squads that used violence against socialists, unions and local councils.

  3. 3

    What was Mussolini's background?

    Model answer

    A blacksmith's son and former schoolteacher who became editor of the socialist paper Avanti before being expelled in 1914 for supporting intervention.

  4. 4

    When and how were the Fasci di Combattimento founded?

    Model answer

    In Milan in March 1919, a small group of veterans, syndicalists and nationalists, whose first programme was radical, republican and anticlerical.

  5. 5

    What did the 1919 fascist programme demand?

    Model answer

    Universal suffrage including women, an eight-hour day, a capital levy, land to peasants and the abolition of the Senate, positions later abandoned.

  6. 6

    How did fascism perform in the 1919 election?

    Model answer

    Disastrously: it won no seats and Mussolini polled fewer than 5,000 votes in Milan, so the movement appeared finished.

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AThe government admitted 96 dead and 333 wounded.
BOther estimates run to several hundred dead.
COpponents claimed thousands.

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