1. Mussolini Gains Power 1922
Violent groups of fascists, often ex-
soldiers and students, formed in post-
war Italy, partly in response to the
growing success of socialism and the
weak central government. Mussolini, a
pre-war firebrand, rose to their head,
supported by industrialists and
landowners who saw facists as a short
term answer to the socialists. In October
1922, after a threatened march on Rome
by Mussolini and black shirted fascists,
the king gave into pressure and asked
Mussolini to form a government.
Opposition was crushed in 1923.