The march to Rome

Mussolini hoped that the Fascists could get the power by working together with other political parties. That was necessary because Mussolini’s party only had 32 of the 529 seats in parlement. A few leaders, however, couldn’t wait and prepared a coup d’état. The king was willing to give the power to Mussolini because he was scared and didn’t want a coup d’état. The Vatican, i.e. the Pope, also agreed. To execute the deligation of power a march to Rome was organised in 1922.

It was Mussolini’s intention to walk with his adhearers from Napels to Rome and after arrival to get the power from the king. This would help Mussolini to promote himself and his party in the best possible way and to demonstrate the strength of his army. But instead of looking tired after such a long walk from Napels to Rome, he went by train to one of the suburbs of Rome and walked from there only a few miles.

After arrival in Rome, Mussolini told the King that he wanted the power or he would commit a coup d’état otherwise. To prevent this, King Victor Emanuel III gave Mussolini the assignment to form a cabinet. Mussolini fulfilled this assignment by forming a majority cabinet and the King appointed him as prime minister.