Growth in Support For Fascism 1919-22 Assessment

Intro

Most important = New Programme

Criteria = What allowed the Fascists to gain the most supporters, whether that is through legal means or otherwise

Para 1

New Programme = most important (move towards conservatism)

1919 election Fascists win 4600 votes nationally. In 1921, they win 35 seats

1000 members in 1919 → 20,000 in 1920 → 200,000 in 1921

1920 = <10,000 active squadristi. 1922 = >200,000

Demonstrates that after the adoption of a new set of policies, they appeal to new demographics + oppose socialism rather than becoming like them

Para 2

Biennio Rosso + Socialism

Aug 1-2 1922, General strike called by PSI fails, Mussolini takes credit for it

2m union members by 1920

Over 3,000 Socialist strikes in 1919

Demonstrates that Socialism = still a powerful force + many were intimidated by it

Not the most important because New Programme was required in order for Fascists to become an opposing force

Para 3

WWI + Mutilated Victory

650,000 dead (Families undoubtedly want to seek justice + oppose Liberal govt in most active way possible)

4.5m demobilised soldiers felt abandoned by the state

Promised South Tyrol, Trentino, Istria + Dalmatia but only got the first two w/ToV which was bad as debt = x10 after WWI

Fascists were able to convert the idea of mutilated victory into a catalyst for wider Liberal opposition, not the most important as people wouldn’t have turned to them if they were in line w/Socialists

Para 4

Toleration of the police and military

Between 1920 and 1922, fewer than 10% of squadristi attacks on socialists + trade unions led to convictions

Police and army failed to intervene on over 2,000 violent attacks in 1921 alone

By 1922, over 80% of legal cases opened against squadristi were dropped

Demonstrates that police and military helped Fascists to gain support through violent action, only helped, was not the main cause of increased support

Conclusion

New Programme: Demonstrates that after the adoption of a new set of policies, they appeal to new demographics + oppose socialism rather than becoming like them

Socialism + Biennio Rosso: Demonstrates that Socialism = still a powerful force + many were intimidated by it. Not the most important because New Programme was required in order for Fascists to become an opposing force

WWI + Mutilated Victory: Fascists were able to convert the idea of mutilated victory into a catalyst for wider Liberal opposition, not the most important as people wouldn’t have turned to them if they were in line w/Socialists

Toleration from police + military: Demonstrates that police and military helped Fascists to gain support through violent action, only helped, was not the main cause of increased support