Introduction: The March on Rome a Century Later: New Research Perspectives in Europe and Beyond

The introduction outlines the volume’s main themes and its aim to examine the international repercussions of Mussolini’s 1922 seizure of power in Italy. It explores how the March on Rome and the rise of Fascism influenced political movements and regimes worldwide during the interwar period, analysing the event’s role in reshaping global political discourse and its reception in various national contexts. The work highlights how post-World War I instability and disillusionment with liberal democracy created fertile ground for Fascist influence. Key themes include the role of paramilitarism and violence, Fascism as a model for other right-wing movements, and the adaptation of Fascist ideas to local conditions. The book covers case studies from across Europe, North Africa, and the Americas, examining both enthusiastic emulation and resistance to Fascism. It investigates the importance of “mediators” in spreading Fascist ideas and traces the complex global reception of Fascism in the 1920s and 1930s. The introduction also emphasises how the volume sheds light on the processes of ideological transfer, adaptation, and resistance, providing valuable insights into the spread and transformation of Fascist ideologies in different cultural and political contexts.