The King would never have appointed Mussolini if it hadnÃÂÃÂt been for the effect of squadrismo.
On the 30th of October 1922, Mussolini was appointed prime minister by the King Victor Emmanuel of Italy in what was the culmination of 3 years of violence imposed by fascist terrorist squads. This was squadrismo, the fascist thuggery that checked the advance of socialism on the streets of Italy. Although the use of squadristi and the Ras gave the fascists a visage of power and erroneously amplified supremacy (which served to intimidate the liberal government), the king and the right-wing elite viewed fascism as an antidote to the spread of socialism and bolshevismÃÂÃÂ which they saw as a greater evil in comparison to Mussolini and the fascistsÃÂÃÂ brutal exploits. Flanking the role of squadrismo in influencing the kingÃÂÃÂs decision to appoint Mussolini are numerous other immediate explanations of this decision ÃÂÃÂ the socialist threat; Army support of the fascists; the march on Rome; support from the pope; and support from the right wing elite.
These factors are set against a backdrop of pre-existing problems of liberal Italy and the aftermath of World War I and essentially, the failure of Risorgimento. It shall be argued here that squadrismo was important in elevating the status (and notoriety) of Mussolini in Italy and along with the aforementioned influences (including that of Squadrismo) convinced Victor Emmanuel to appoint Mussolini as prime minister, and surrender ItalyÃÂÃÂs fate to fascism.
First and foremost in assessing why the king appointed Mussolini it is beneficial to explore the problems caused by the ÃÂÃÂincompleteÃÂÃÂ Risorgimento ÃÂÃÂ the movement for and achievement of Italian nationhoodÃÂÃÂ that would promote a climate of unrest with liberal politics and economics and allow the concept of fascism to arise. It bequeathed a legacy of 2 important threads:...