Relationships with Political & Economic Interests

Question 1

What evidence is there of the monarchy and conservative elite having a reduction in power?

Answer 1

• December 1928, the power to chose the PM given to the Grand Council, previously the king
• WW2, Kings role over army deprived
• March 1938, title of First Marshall of the Empire given to both Mussolini and the King, highest military rank

Question 2

What evidence is there of the monarchy and conservative elite gaining support?

Answer 2

• King remained head of state, did not remove Mussolini
• Former generals and aristocrats given more power
• Prefect remained in Italian provinces, held by career civil service
• Conservative elite retained influence over the Podesta

Question 3

What evidence is there of central and local government facing a reduction in power?

Answer 3

• December 1925, Mussolini could initiate legislation alone
• May 1928, Parliament made up of 400 deputies chosen by the Fascist Grand Council
• Prefects chosen by Mussolini, local councils run by Podesta, owed their power to Mussolini

Question 4

What evidence is there of central and local government gaining support?

Answer 4

• Prefects remained in local areas, held by civil service and not given to the ras
• Local government largely out of control of Mussolini
• Tasked with reporting on local Fascist branches to ensure Mussolini could control the PNF

Question 5

What evidence is there of a reduction in power with the PNF and nationalists?

Answer 5

• 1925, Farinacci purged the party of those who didn’t agree with Mussolini
• Farinacci eventually purged for violent ways
• 50,000-60,000 thrown out of the party
• 1931 purge, replaced with 800,000 new fascists

Question 6

What evidence is there of the PNF and nationalists gaining support?

Answer 6

• Nationalists had bigger influence, ANI members followed Mussolini unlike the PNF
• 1930s, ideas like removing foreign sounding words due to the nationalists
• Federzoni made minister of the interior in 1924

Question 7

What evidence is there of a reduction in power with the economic interest groups?

Answer 7

• Strikes, go slows and lockouts banned
• Compulsory arbitration of disputes concerning workers at special labour tribunals
• 1925, syndicates recognized as only representative body, favored policies to gain WC support

Question 8

What evidence is there of economic interest groups gaining support?

Answer 8

• 1926, Rocco Law allowed syndicates some rights of representation
• Economic interests of small shops protected with licensing system against big supermarkets
• 1930s, supported big businesses during depression