Describe the main stages by which Fascism developed into an effective political movement between its foundation in March 1919 and the march on Rome in October 1922.

Authors Avatar

Describe the main stages by which Fascism developed into an effective political movement between its foundation in March 1919 and the march on Rome in October 1922

In March 1919, Benito Mussolini set up a fascio de combattimento, or combat group, formed mainly from ex-soldiers. They were not a political party, but a movement, which sought support from all patriotic Italians. Their programme expressed radical social ideas and their main aim was to gain power. The Fascists said that they would provide a new leadership in a national revolution, thus providing a nationalist, socialist alternative to the PSI. The Fascist movement started heavily on the left wing but moved progressively towards the right wing where its support was increasingly coming from. As a movement, it had potential to change and develop. Early Fascist ideas came from the Futurists and were very radical, this attracted many people to the movement. This early movement aimed to replace the monarchy with a republic, return land to peasants and allow workers to manage industry. The Fascist’s also believed that the property of the Catholic Church should be confiscated and that women should be allowed to have the vote. Fascism was a movement that to many people, seemed to offer an effective solution to the economic, political and social problems that Italy had to face up to after WWI. The movement also stressed the importance of a national identity and strength to a country that felt they had suffered a ‘mutilated victory’.

Join now!

The main weapon the Fascist movement used was violence. It was used as a political tool and helped them to create an aura of fear about them, useful in when negotiating with politicians. Ex-army officers also ran Fascist Para-military organisations or “Squadristi” which were comprised largely of ex-soldiers; proud of the military victory they had won in WWI. Many young people and students embittered from missing out no fighting in the war joined these squads as a way to feel as though they were fighting for their country. Fascist violence also helped to gain support from scared Italians as it ...

This is a preview of the whole essay