Italy at War & Rise of Fascism

Why was Italy neutral at the start of WWI

Italy joined the war a year late (1915). It initially stayed neutral because the Triple Alliance was defensive, and Austria-Hungary had not been attacked.

What was the Treaty of London (1915) and why did it cause resentment?

Secret treaty promising Italy territorial gains (Fiume, Dalmatia, colonies). After the war, the Treaty of St Germain denied these, creating the myth of a mutilated victory, and undermining trust in the liberal government.

How many italians fought and died in WWI

5.7 million conscripted, at least 600,000 deaths.

What happened at Caporetto (October 1917)

Major defeat by German/Austrian forces; 160km retreat; 300,000 prisoners. General Cadorna blamed “cowardice” and executed soldiers, deepening distrust and fracturing the army.

Why was Vittorio Veneto (October 1918) significant

victory under General Diaz, who improved rations and morale. Success partly due to Austrian internal collapse. Helped Italy claim it had “won the war”

What were the main social problems after WWI?

40% infantry casualties vs 4% artillery (mostly educated northerners), Loss of working class men damaged economy. Rise of agrarian fascism as elites backed landowners (Agrari), weakening socialist influence.

What political tensions emerged after the war?

Socialists (supported by workers) had opposed the war; workers suffered most, increasing hostility and political polarisation.

What were the economic consequences of WWI for Italy?

National debt: 16bn lire (1914) → 85bn (1919)

Inflation over 400%
Government spent more in 1915-18 than in 1861-1913

Production increased (e.g. machine guns x100 but unsustainable

What shaped Mussolinis early political development

socialist father, anti-monarchy and anti-Church views; teacher, labourer, journalist; editor of socialist newspaper in Forli; supported Italy entering WWI; served and rose to corporal.

What was the Biennio Rosso

Two red years (1919-20) of socialist unrest inspired by the Russian Revolution. Fear among elites, Church, landowners.

What actions occured during the Biennio Rosso

Food riots (July 1919)

General Strike (April 1920)

Factory Occupation (Sept 1920)

Why was the left ultimately weak despite large support

PSI had 250,000 members but was split into three factions with conflicting revolutionary aims, preventing unified action.

How quickly did Fascism grow electorally?

1919 0 seats → 1924 275 seats

Why did ex soldiers support Fascism

Felt betrayed by the mutilated settlement. Mussolini exploited this resentment and promised national revivial

Why did big businesses shift to supporting fascism

initially wary, but strikes and socialist unrest threatened profits. Business leaders backed fascists (Pirelli, Olivetti). fascists also dropped anti capitalist policies and supported privatisation

Why did the church warm to fascism

mussolini abandoned anti clericalism (from 1921), opposed contraception, restored crucifixes to classrooms. seen as a defence against the godless left

why did youth support fascism

fascism appeared modern, dynamic, meritocratic, and action oritented. promised opportunity based on ability, not connections.

How did fascist ideology remain flexible

policies softened between 1919-21 shifting from radical socialism to vague nationalism (Make Italy Great Again) broadening appeal

Why were post war liberal governments weak

failure to secure treaty of london gains

corruption via trasformismo

instability, 5 governments (1918-122)

economic crisis

biennio rosso undermined ocnfidence in state authority

rise of PPI

why was d’annunzio’s seizure of fiume important

in sept 1919, nationalist poet d’annunzio seized fiume with 300 men, ruling for 15 months, showed government weakness and pioneered fascist style symbolism, ritual and violence

what was the pact of pacification (1921)

attempted peace between socialists and fascists, revealed mussolinis weak control over squadristi who often ignored him

what happened during the march on rome (october 1922)

fascists seized towns in north/central italy, supporters gathered near rome. pm facta resigned after king refused to authorise military action. mussolini appointed PM on 30 oct.

what was the acerbo law (1923)

electoral reform granting 2/3 of parliamentary seats to the party with the largest vote share. designed to secure fascist dominance

what was the matteoti crisis (1924)

socialist leader matteotti murdered after criticising fascist violence. sparked national outrage; opposition withdrew from parliament. exposed mussolinis lack of control and reliance on violence.

how did mussolini transform from PM to Duce

through propaganda portraying him as youth, strong and linked to ancient rome. art (e.g ambrosis paintings), depicted him as a modern caesar restoring imperial glory