Fascist Economy: Battles For + Corporate State (1922-27)

Question 1

Corporate State 1922: what was it?

Answer 1

• Fascist SYNDICALISM with middle-class PNF WORKER’s REPS siding with BUSINESSES.
• Muss needs big industrialists
• No INDEPENDENT TRADE UNIONS
• No STRIKES
• Did NOTHING to boost economy or help workers.

Question 3

Corporate State 1922: how was it advertised to the Italian people?

Answer 3

• Businesses + workers in HARMONY on
  PAY
  CONDITIONS

Question 4

1925 Battle for GRAIN

Answer 4

• Aim: SELF-SUFFICIENCY in WHEAT production
• Increased WHEAT OUTPUT + lowered TRADE BALANCE DEFICIT (counterproductive)

Question 5

1925 Battle for GRAIN: backfiring

Answer 5

• Farmers CLEAR land for GRAIN
• Decreases OTHER produce
• Poorer DIET (< olives, fruit, wine + cheese)
• HIGHER food PRICES
• Forced to ^ FOOD IMPORTS

Question 6

1925 Battle for GRAIN: outcome

Answer 6

• Lack necessary INFRASTRUCTURE + DEVELOPMENT
• Wheat production INCREASED.

Question 7

1926 Battle for LIRA: aims

Answer 7

• STRENGTHEN value of LIRA after damage done to ECONOMY in WW1
• Reduce INFLATION: image of Italy as GREAT POWER, Fascism as STABILITY

Question 8

1926 Battle for LIRA: success?

Answer 8

• NO: WAGE CUTS (lower than FOOD prices)
• NO: Rapidly DECLINING LIVING STANDARDS
• YES: benefitted HEAVY INDUSTRY

Question 9

1927 Battle for BIRTHS: what did it do?

Answer 9

• Bans ABORTIONS
• Complicates DIVORCE
• Bachelors + childless men =
  TAX CUTS
  GRANTS
• CIVIL SERVICE: only recruit the MARRIED + FERTILE

Question 10

1927 Battle for BIRTHS: Mussolini’s reasons

Answer 10

• Please CHURCH, ^ Italian POPULATION by 20 MILL
• Cult of PERSONALITY: reproduction people’s DUTY to Mussolini

Question 11

1927 Battle for Births: success?

Answer 11

NO
* Marriage rates UNCHANGED

• Reduces FEM EMPLOYMENT, POOR $
• BIRTH rates DECREASE until 1936