March on Rome

In the autumn of 1922 Italy is inflicted with mass strikes by socialists. The leader of the Italian Fascists, Benito Mussolini, exploits the politically volatile situation to force his  political „takeover of power“ in the country: Along with ca. 40,000 of his adherents, the so-called „black shirts“, he stages on 27 October 1922 a „march on Rome“.

© dsg Mussolini (middle, in a suite) during the march on Rome

King Victor Emanuel III refuses to deploy the military against the rebels and confers the office of prime minister on Mussolini who also takes control of the foreign and interior ministries. In a few years the „Duce“ (leader) will have firmly anchored the fascist dictatorship in Italy.