Fascist economy Flashcards
(27 cards)
What were Mussolini’s aims for the economy?
-Improving the economy
-Improving standard of living
-Improving his prestige
Mussolini was successful in improving the economy: measures to help banks and businesses
IMI and IRI schemes ensured bank stability and employment by sustaining businesses 1934.
Mussolini was successful in improving the economy: providing work
Draining of marshes during the Depression provided work for people.
Mussolini was successful in improving the economy: Impact of his measures on the economy
Budget surplus 1924/25
Debt fell from 75% to 50 of GDP 1922-25.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving the economy: failures of the revaluation of the Lira
Revaluation of the Lira crippled Italian exports and Mussolini’s use of high tariffs prevented the benefits o the revaluation.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving the economy: Failure of corporate state
Corporate state never solved class conflict in industry and was corrupt- creation of mock factories to secure subsidies.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving the economy: impact on deficit
Public work schemes during the Depression were expensive and Italy’s deficit budget grew hugely; welfare spending increased from 7% to 20%.
Mussolini was successful in improving conditions for workers/ people: reducing conflict
Open conflict between workers and employers declined due to the corporate state.
Mussolini was successful in improving conditions for workers/ people: improved working conditions
Corporate State gave workers sick pay and paid national holidays1938.
Public work schemes allowed employment post-depression (eg. road building)
Mussolini was successful in improving conditions for workers/ people: impact of welfare
Welfare increased for those who’d lost jobs due to the depression and were unable to find new ones.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving conditions for workers/ people: limits on strikes
Socialist strikes were outlawed due to the 1935 Vidoni Pact.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving conditions for workers/ people: unemployment increase and reduction of pay
Unemployment trebled 1926-28.
Workers’ wages were cut during the depression.
Mussolini was unsuccessful in improving conditions for workers/ people: failures of the corporate state
In the Corporate state, workers were represented by officials who were loyal to Mussolini.
Mussolini’s economy increased his control and prestige: appeasement of businesses
Appointment of De Stefani pleased business groups.
Mussolini’s economy increased his control and prestige: the corporate state
Corporate state was good propaganda- myth of overcoming class conflict and creating a third way between capitalism and communism; was acclaimed by political and economic scientists worldwide.
Mussolini’s economy increased his control and prestige: Mussolini’s control over the economy
Mussolini held significant control over the economy; headed the Central Corporative Committee.
Mussolini’s economy didn’t improve his control/prestige.
-Revaluation of the Lira didn’t work and was simply propaganda
Battle for births terms
-Married men with 6+ children paid no tax.
-Contraception and abortions were banned.
-women with lots of kids received medals.
Battle for births failure
-Marriage rate stagnated.
-Birth rate fell 1927-36.
Battle for Grain success: wheat production
-In Northern and Central Italy, wheat production increased by 50% between 1914 and 1938.
Battle for Grain success: Imports and self sufficiency
-Imports of grain reduced by 75% 1914-38.
-Italy was self sufficient in crops by 1938.
Battle for Grain failure: Increased cost and reduced production
-In the 1930s, families were paying 400 lire extra in food costs.
-Meat and egg production declined (symbolic of a fall in living standards)
Battle for Grain failure: reliance on other countries
-Not self sufficient in fertilisers- led to lower grain yields.
-1933, Italy still dependent on imports for fertiliser.
Autarky success: substitutes created
-Synthetic substitutes developed eg. lanital rather than wood.
