In the aftermath of the First World War, Italy was facing economic instability, political fragmentation, and a sense of national dissatisfaction. In this fertile ground for extremist movements, Benito Mussolini’s National Fascist Party quickly gained support and, by the end of October 1922, felt ready to launch a coup d'état against the embattled government.

Mussolini and his followers, the Blackshirts, embarked on a calculated and audacious march to Rome. On 24 October he declared his intention to seize power in Italy, and secured the support of up to 30,000 supporters from across the country who began to march on the capital.

While the march was formidable in its show of force, Mussolini was simultaneously engaged in political negotiations behind the scenes. The liberal government, fearing the potential for widespread violence and civil conflict, initially sought a compromise. However, as the Blackshirts arrived at the outskirt of Rome on 28 October the Prime Minister, Luigi Facta, ordered a state of siege. Afraid of the potential for a civil war if he resisted Mussolini’s supporters, King Victor Emmanuel III refused to sign the military order.

As approximately 25,000 Blackshirts marched into the capital the next day, the king invited Mussolini to form a government as Prime Minister. Although the March on Rome was therefore not a violent coup, the combination of calculated political manoeuvring backed up by the threat of upheaval, was enough to secure a Fascist government in Italy.