On 27 October of 1922 the fascist movement mobilized, and attempted to cut off all lines of communication to the capital in order to prepare for a march on Rome to seize power in a coup. This coup d’état succeeded. Why? - It was not because of Mussolini’s position of strength but on the active and passive support from local governments, the unwillingness of the political, economic and social establishment to resist the fascists (they had the hope Mussolini might put an end to the perceived socialist threat) and in the end the surprising refusal of King Victor Emmanuel III to sign his prime minister’s decree on martial law. Some historians claims that the king was afraid of being replaced by his cousin - the pro-fascist ”Duke of Aosta”. Mussolini exploited this situation and demanded the premiership. Mussolini became the youngest Prime Minister in Italian history.