Aventine Secession (20th century)

The Aventine Secession was the withdrawal of the parliament opposition, mainly composed of Italian Socialist Party, Italian Liberal Party, Italian Popular Party and Italian Communist Party, from the Italian Chamber of Deputies in 1924–25, following the murder of the deputy Giacomo Matteotti by fascists. It was named after the Aventine Secession in ancient Rome, and heralded the assumption of total power by Benito Mussolini and his National Fascist Party and the establishment of a one-party dictatorship.

Background

In 1923 the Acerbo Law replaced proportional representation. It meant that the largest party, providing it had at least 25% of the vote, gained 2/3 of the parliamentary seats. Following the elections in April 1924, Mussolini obtained 2/3 of the votes anyway giving him a clear majority under either system. After his outspoken accusation of the Fascist Party's underhand methods of political corruption and voter intimidation, the Socialist leader Giacomo Matteotti was abducted and murdered by Amerigo Dumini and various other thugs whose names were linked to the Fascist Party. There is considerable dispute among historians as to the level (if any) of Mussolini's knowledge and involvement.

The resulting uproar after the Matteotti murder left Mussolini vulnerable, having been forced to dismiss numerous members of his entourage, including General De Bono, Chief of Police and Head of the MVSN. In late July 1924, the Socialists, Christian democrats and some Liberals began a boycott of Parliament, with the aim of forcing the King to dismiss Mussolini.

Outcome

Without the socialists the vote of no 'confidence' in Mussolini was a failure. King Victor Emmanuel III was disinclined to invoke further violence from the Fascist squads, and thus allowed Mussolini to keep his position as Prime Minister. With the Opposition thus reduced to inaction, Mussolini set down to build the Fascist State.[1]

In January 1925 Mussolini declared a de facto dictatorship and started a series of repressive measures designed to destroy opposition.

Mussolini declared that the secessionists had forfeited their seats and the Socialist party was banned in late 1926.

The Secession served only to aid Mussolini in his consolidation of power as it eliminated all meaningful parliamentary opposition, and deprived the King of any excuse to dismiss him.

gollark: Does it matter? In most contexts where you *need* to know if something is "alive" there's probably a more specific definition which categorises them better.
gollark: Apparently old pacemakers ran on small RTGs, but people are too uncool to do that nowadays I think.
gollark: > I wonder if it would be possible to engineer a contagious bacteria with rapid reproductive rates to produce a fast acting psychoactive compound when undergoing cellular division, similar to how cholera produces cholera toxin. It would be an interesting non lethal bio weapon that could incapacitate enemy forces in a few hoursIt seems like it's getting cheaper and easier for people to genetically engineer bacteria and stuff, so I worry that within a few decades it will be easy enough that people will just do this sort of thing for funlolz.
gollark: I think I remember this being discussed before? Spirit complained about it.
gollark: Talking about where to get them might be, or at least might cause them to complain.

References
  1. Buonomo, Giampiero (2012). "La decadenza dei deputati della Camera del regno d'Italia del 9 novembre 1926". Historia constitucional.  – via Questia (subscription required)


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