The blackshirts clashed with communists, socialists, and anarchists at parades and demonstrations; all of these factions were also involved in clashes against each other. The Fascisti grew rapidly, within two years transforming themselves into the National Fascist Party at a congress in Rome. In Mussolini won election to the Chamber of Deputies for the first time. In the night between October , , about 30, Fascist blackshirts gathered in Rome to demand the resignation of liberal Prime Minister Luigi Facta and the appointment of a new Fascist government.
The King then handed over power to Mussolini who stayed in his headquarters in Milan during the talks by asking him to form a new government. The Fascists made up a small minority in his original governments. To that end, Mussolini obtained from the legislature dictatorial powers for one year legal under the Italian constitution of the time. He favored the complete restoration of state authority with the integration of the Fasci di Combattimento into the armed forces the foundation in January of the Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale and the progressive identification of the party with the state.
In political and social economy, he passed legislation that favored the wealthy industrial and agrarian classes privatizations, liberalizations of rent laws, and dismantlement of the unions. Between and , Mussolini progressively dismantled virtually all constitutional and conventional restraints on his power, thereby building a police state. Thereafter he began styling himself as Il Duce the leader.
He was no longer responsible to Parliament and could be removed only by the king. While the Italian constitution stated that ministers were responsible only to the sovereign, in practice it had become all but impossible to govern against the express will of Parliament.
A lavish cult of personality centered on the figure of Mussolini was promoted by the regime. In , Mussolini moved to Switzerland to promote socialism. He quickly gained a reputation for his magnetism and remarkable rhetorical talents. While engaging in political demonstrations, he caught the attention of Swiss authorities and was eventually expelled from the country. Mussolini returned to Italy in and continued promoting a socialist agenda.
He was briefly imprisoned and, upon release, became editor of the organization's newspaper, Avanti meaning "Forward" , which gave him a larger megaphone and expanded his influence. While Mussolini initially condemned Italy's entry into World War I , he soon saw the war as an opportunity for his country to become a great power. His change in attitude broke ties with fellow socialists, and he was expelled from the organization.
In , Mussolini joined the Italian army and fought on the front lines, reaching the rank of corporal before being wounded and discharged from the military. On March 23, , Mussolini founded the Fascist Party , which organized several right-wing groups into a single force. The fascist movement proclaimed opposition to social class discrimination and supported nationalist sentiments. Mussolini hoped to raise Italy to levels of its great Roman past. Mussolini criticized the Italian government for weakness at the Treaty of Versailles.
Capitalizing on public discontent following World War I, he organized a paramilitary unit known as the "Black Shirts," who terrorized political opponents and helped increase Fascist influence. As Italy slipped into political chaos, Mussolini declared that only he could restore order and was given the authority in as prime minister.
He gradually dismantled all democratic institutions. By , he had made himself dictator, taking the title "Il Duce" "the Leader". To his credit, Mussolini carried out an extensive public works program and reduced unemployment, making him very popular with the people. In , determined to show the strength of his regime, Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. The ill-equipped Ethiopians were no match for Italy's modern tanks and airplanes, and the capital, Addis Ababa, was quickly captured.
Mussolini incorporated Ethiopia into the new Italian Empire. Impressed with Italy's early military successes, German dictator Adolf Hitler sought to establish a relationship with Mussolini. Flattered by Hitler's overtures, Mussolini interpreted the recent diplomatic and military victories as proof of his genius. By , Mussolini had won election to the Italian Chamber of Deputies. Despite this success, Mussolini and his supporters, known as the blackshirts, were frustrated with the electoral process.
Rather than work through the parliamentary system, Mussolini decided to seize power by force. The March on Rome was staged on the night of October 27—28, Instead, the King invited Mussolini to Rome to form a new government. While Mussolini became the Prime Minister in , he was still dependent on a coalition government to remain in power. The Acerbo Law, passed in , was designed to give Mussolini and the Fascists complete control over the Italian parliament and government. The Acerbo Law stated that whichever party obtained the greatest number of votes would receive two thirds of the seats in Parliament, even if they did not receive two thirds of the vote.
With the help of the Acerbo Law, the elections decisively gave power to the Fascists. Mussolini and Hitler met for the first time in Despite their shared fascism, the two men did not particularly like one another personally. Moreover, their nationalist ambitions for Italy and Germany would inevitably conflict at some point. For the moment, the two states needed each other as they both attempted to rework the organization of Europe in their favor.
The alliance between the two was solidified in with the Pact of Steel, which committed Italy and Germany to support one another militarily and economically in event of war. Despite initial Axis military successes, the Italian military position quickly spun out of control, especially in North Africa. As the Italian situation worsened and Mussolini lost the confidence of his own party, King Victor Emmanuel removed Mussolini from power in
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