5. Why Did Mussolini Survive The Matteotti Crisis?

Front 1

Aventine Secession

Back 1

• Opposition sensed opportunity to pressure King into dismissing Mussolini
  
• 150 Deputies of the Chamber boycotted Parliament hoping it would force the King to react
  

Front 2

Failure of Aventine Secession

Back 2

• Aventine Secession backfired as boycott deprived them of only forum available to express their option and pressure king into action
  
• Boycott strengthened Mussolini's position as Fascists's majority in Chamber was boosted further by their absence
  

Front 3

Role of King Victor III

Back 3

• King was unwilling to act against Mussolini
  
• Thought it best to keep Mussolini in office and that he had learnt his lesson
  
• Felt Moderate Deputies within government would control Mussolini from now on

Front 4

Support from Church

Back 4

Church felt it best to support King's decision as he saved Italy from threat of Communism

Church also feared outbreak of violence should Mussolini lose his position

Front 5

Support from Elite

Back 5

Elite continued to support Mussolini despite being unhappy as they thought he had done his job well - especially when faced with alternatives

Front 6

Rossi Memorandum

Back 6

• December 29th 1924
  
• Direct involvement appeared to be confirmed with publication of evidence by Rossi
• Memorandum published in Liberal newspaper

Front 7

Failure of Memorandum

Back 7

• Published during Christmas holidays and so it was unlikely a Fascist dominated chamber would end break to deal with the emergency
  
• Was published in an opposition paper which took away a lot of its legitimacy

Front 8

Fascist Dictatorship

Back 8

• Mussolini confronted by 33 Ras and Militia commanders on Dec 31st 1924

• Demanded he seized the opportunity by establishing Fascist Dictatorship

• If he refused, they would remove support and seize power themselves leading to him agreeing

• Jan 3rd 1925, announced to Chamber a dictatorship would be set up within next 48hours