Repression and Terror under Fascism

Fascist Violence (1920-1922)

• Fascists killed ~2,000 political opponents.
• Mussolini was cautious of uncontrolled squadristi violence but acknowledged its role in his rise to power.

After Establishing Dictatorship

• Violence decreased but repression continued in other forms.
• Estimated 400 people killed under Fascist regime, unlike more extensive violence seen under Hitler and Stalin.
• Police and government wielded extensive powers, fostering a climate of fear.

Key Legislation and Measures

• November 1926 Public Security Decree: Empowered provincial prefects to supervise perceived political threats.
• Law for the Defence of the State: Introduced special tribunals for political crime trials.

Mussolini’s Power and Repression

• Difficult to measure dependency on repression.
• Repression supported by legal powers and institutions, alongside propaganda and popular policies.

Role of Security Forces

Police and Secret Services

• Police, militia, and OVRA (secret police): Used to intimidate, imprison, and punish opponents.
• Increased police activity compared to the liberal regime.

Exile and Assassination

• Many political opponents exiled; some assassinated by Fascist agents.
• Safer abroad than within Italy.

Increased State Repression (1926)

• Attempted assassination on Mussolini in 1926 led to stricter measures.
• Special Tribunal (1926-1943): Met 720 times; 5,000 found guilty; 49 death sentences.

Organizzazione Vigilanza Repressione Antifascismo (OVRA)

• Established in 1927; feared secret police.
• Conducted surveillance on 130,000 suspects; 4,000 arrests.
• Independent from regular police; could arrest and intercept communications.

Militia and Prisons

• Militia (50,000 members) used to intimidate and seize property.
• Remote prisons established for political opponents, e.g., Lipari and Lampedusa.
• 10,000 sent to these prisons; 5,000 political prisoners between 1922 and 1943.

Death Penalty and High-Profile Actions

• Death penalty restored for certain crimes; 10 sentenced by 1940.
• Mussolini occasionally supported violent actions, e.g., assassination of Rosselli brothers in 1937.

Propaganda and Conformity

• Main method was to encourage conformity through propaganda and incentives, rather than systematic repression and terror.