In June 1924, the assassination of Giacomo Matteotti, a respected socialist, threw Italy into a political whirlwind. Many believed Mussolini's Fascists were responsible. Let’s unravel the tale!

• Giacomo Matteotti: A respected socialist who challenged the Fascists. Met a tragic end.
• Benito Mussolini: The lead guy of the Fascists. Was he a part of the murder plot?
• The King: Holds the power to oust Mussolini.
• The Liberals: Shocked by the murder. Some turned against Mussolini.
• Fascist Leaders: They supported Mussolini but wanted a solid, dictatorial grip over Italy.

• May 30, 1924: Matteotti claims the election results are dodgy.
• June 10: Uh-oh! Matteotti is kidnapped and killed. Real-world example: Imagine a well-known celebrity suddenly disappearing and later found dead. The nation would be in shock!
• End of June: 100 MPs leave parliament (Aventine Secession) hoping the King would dismiss Mussolini.
• July 1924: Mussolini goes hardcore! He introduces press censorship and bans opposition political meetings.
• October 1925: Assassination attempt on Mussolini. He bans Matteotti’s party. Some Liberals are like, “Enough!” and join the opposition.
• December 1924: Fascists demand a dictatorship.
• January 3, 1925: Mussolini’s "It’s my responsibility” speech.

• Who did it? After Matteotti's murder, many fingers point towards Mussolini's close aides like Amerigo Dumini, Cesare Rossi, and Giovanni Marinelli.
• Rossi’s Memo: Rossi, once arrested, claimed he was used as a decoy. He even hinted that Mussolini ordered attacks against rivals.
• Mussolini's Meltdown: Following the murder, Mussolini’s confidence plummeted. It's like when a confident basketball player misses a crucial shot and starts doubting his game.