March on Rome

March on Rome
source
Conflict	March on Rome
Part of	Italian unification
Date	October 28, 1922
Place	Rome, Italy
Result	Fascist victory, Benito Mussolini becomes Prime Minister of Italy

March on Rome. The March on Rome was a pivotal event in Italian history, led by Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party, which resulted in the rise of Fascism in Italy. This event was preceded by the Italian general election, 1921, where the National Fascist Party gained significant support, and was influenced by the Russian Revolution and the Spartacist uprising in Germany. The March on Rome was also influenced by the Italian Socialist Party and the Italian Communist Party, which had significant followings in Italy during this period, including notable figures such as Antonio Gramsci and Palmiro Togliatti.

Introduction

The March on Rome was a decisive moment in the history of Italy, marking the beginning of Fascist rule under Benito Mussolini. The event was influenced by the Treaty of Versailles and the subsequent Treaty of Rapallo, which had a significant impact on the political landscape of Europe. The National Fascist Party drew support from various groups, including World War I veterans, such as Gabriele D'Annunzio, and Italian nationalists, like Enrico Corradini. The March on Rome was also influenced by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the Kapp Putsch in Germany, which demonstrated the potential for radical political change in Europe.

Background

The background to the March on Rome was complex, involving the Italian general election, 1921, the Biennio Rosso, and the Aventine Secession. The National Fascist Party emerged as a significant force in Italian politics, with Benito Mussolini as its leader, and gained support from Italian industrialists, such as Giovanni Agnelli and Senatore Borletti. The party's ideology was influenced by Futurism, a movement led by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti, and National Syndicalism, which emphasized the importance of labour unions and corporatism. The Italian Liberal Party, led by Giovanni Giolitti, and the Italian People's Party, led by Luigi Sturzo, were among the parties that opposed the National Fascist Party.

The March

The March on Rome began on October 28, 1922, with Benito Mussolini and his followers, including Italo Balbo and Emilio De Bono, gathering in Naples and other cities in Italy. The march was supported by the Italian Army and the Carabinieri, which largely remained neutral during the event. The National Fascist Party used propaganda and intimidation to gain support and suppress opposition, including the use of squadristi, fascist paramilitary groups. The march culminated in Rome, where King Victor Emmanuel III appointed Benito Mussolini as Prime Minister of Italy, following the resignation of Luigi Facta.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the March on Rome saw the consolidation of Fascist power in Italy, with Benito Mussolini as the dominant figure. The National Fascist Party suppressed opposition, including the Italian Communist Party and the Italian Socialist Party, and established a dictatorship. The Acerbo Law was passed, which gave the National Fascist Party a majority of seats in the Italian Parliament. The Lateran Treaty was signed, establishing the Vatican City as a sovereign state, and Pope Pius XI became a key figure in Vatican-Italian relations. The March on Rome also had significant international implications, including the Stresa Front and the Pact of Steel with Nazi Germany, led by Adolf Hitler.

Legacy

The legacy of the March on Rome is complex and far-reaching, with significant implications for Italian history and European politics. The event marked the beginning of Fascist rule in Italy and had a profound impact on the development of Fascism in Europe. The March on Rome influenced the Spanish Civil War and the Nationalist movement in Spain, led by Francisco Franco. The event also had significant implications for the Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union competing for influence in Italy and Europe. The March on Rome remains a significant topic of study and debate among historians, including Renzo De Felice and Denis Mack Smith, who have written extensively on the subject. Category:Italian history