Promising aid to the worker and an end to civil distress, the Socialists gained a loyal following.
The wealthier elements of Italian society feared that the Socialists and other leftist groups might cause a revolution and appropriate their assets. Given this situation, Benito Mussolini, a former Socialist, created a political group, Fascio de Combattiment (Combat Band), better known as the Fascists. Mussolini's group opposed the strikes and factory occupations supported by Socialists and trade unions. Violent confrontations between the groups ensued, with Mussolini's forces gaining a certain amount of popular support for opposing the disruptions of the leftists. Mussolini's power grew. On October 28, 1922, he and his supporters conducted the "March on Rome," a show of strength by several thousand Fascists. Following this display of solidarity, Italy's King Victor Emmanuel III named Mussolini as premier. By 1925 Mussolini ruled the nation as dictator-the king became little more than a figurehead.
Mussolini's fascist government favored strict federal control of labor and industry. The dictator maintained his power through the use of his squadristi, a black-shirted band of armed police, and any political opposition was ruthlessly suppressed. The press and radio also came under state control, and with this Mussolini now wielded the powerful weapon of propaganda.
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