Fascist Italy Flashcards
(42 cards)
Describe Mussolini before 1918
Comes from a socialist background
Maximalist in the PSI
Led a riot against war in Libya
Editor of Avanti!
Rejected egalitarianism (social equality) which is a key socialist belief
Criticised the socialists in WW1 and was expulsed from the party
What was the ONB (Balilla)?
Youth group set up in April ‘26
Aimed to physically train boys, prepare girls for childbirth, and teach them to be loyal and love Mussolini
Many only joined so that they could get jobs in the future or so they could play sports and have fun etc.
What was economics like from 1922-1925?
Mussolini had no economic plan when he came to power.
De Stefani persued laissez-faire (leave it alone)
What was the March on Rome?
27/10/1922 - Squadristi occupy government offices and prime minister (Facta) asks the King to declare a state of emergency but he didn’t so Facta reisgned
28/10/1922 - 50,000 people participate in the March on Rome. Many men were armed with frozen fish and there was a singular machine gun attached to a car
29/10/1922 - King offers Mussolini Prime Minister.
30/10/1922 - Mussolini appointed PM
Why did the King give in to Mussolini?
Feared he didn’t have the support of the army - Could turn into a civil war and communist uprising.
Scared that his cousin, Duke of Aosta, who was a clear fascist would try to take the throne.
What was the Aventine secession?
100 anti-fascist deputies left parliament saying it was unconstitutional (because of the Matteotti Affair) and created a new parliament. There being 100 les anti-fascist politicians in parliament made it easier for Mussolini to pass laws without opposition.
No one respected the new parliament because it wasn’t what they knew and it was hampered by ideological differences of the politicians from liberals to communists.
What was the dual strategy?
The fasci di combattimento set up uin March 1919 wanted to gain power politically and violently. This was Mussolini’s idea and it wasn’t support by other fascists like Balbo who didn’t want to gain power politically.
What was the Matteotti Affair?
Matteotti a socialist made a speech in parliament denouncing Mussolini and his party, he listed his crimes against democracy He ended his speech saying: ‘Kill me but not the ideas within me … My speech is ended. Now prepare your speech for my funeral’
Less than a month later he was kidnapped and murdered by 3 fascists. Mussolini wasn’t directly implicated but was accused by the opposition for engineering the crime.
After his death many fascists left the party and some demanded Mussolini’s resignation. He made a speech in January ‘25 where he took responsibility for the political situation allowing his death but not for his death.
This was the most unstable part of Mussolini’s dictatorship (until WW2) and getting out of it on top shows his political ability.
What was the Acerbo Law?
2/3 of the parliamentary seats would go to the party that won more than 25% of the vote
April ‘24 election (fascists get 374 MPs)
When was Mussolini’s dictatorship established?
1925 - he formed a new cabinet without most of the liberals
What was the OND?
Provided workers with social and sporting opportunities. It also gave subsidised holidays and excursions.
It was very popular but not because everyone who joined was fascist it was because they could gain benefits.
How did Mussolini control the press and use censorship?
Prefects could confiscate editions of newspapers if they were unfavourable to the fascist regime.
They could shut down newspapers (Avanti!)
Mussolini’s press officer set guidlines on how Mussolini should be presented
Increased subsidies given to newspapers that were positive about Mussolini
How did Mussolini use propoganda?
Focused on ideas that would bring Italians together - creating more patriotism
Used imagery of the Roman Empire and Italian history (medieval buildings destroyed so roman ruins were easier to see
Mussolini claimed to be the heir to Augustus and was rebuilding Italy to its former greatness
Never used mass media particularly well (especially in the South where there was a lack of technology
Won the ‘34 and ‘38 world cups - showing Italian strength
What was the cult of Il Duce?
Mussolini protrayed as immensly able and leading Italy to greatness
fascist slogan: ‘Mussolini is always right’
He was often pictured shirtless (sex appeal), but also as a family man (catholic appeal)
He was always seen as being the sole leader
His personal popularity always outweighed fascist popularity
It could be argued that from 1935 Mussolini started to believe the propaganda and become more aggressive.
What was Mussolini’s first cabinet like?
Only had 4 fascists
How did Mussolini deal with internal fascist problems?
Made Farinacci party secretary to give him a good enough jo sop he doesn’t threaten Mussolini
De Vecchi made governor of Italian Somaliland to get him out of mainland Italy
How did Mussolini deal with the Monarchy?
He was prepared to work with him to remain in power. As his control over Italy grew he slowly removed some of the King’s powers.
December 1928 - Fascist Grand Council can limit the monarch’s power to decide the future prime ministers
In general, the King was scared to challenge Mussolini so he could essentially get away with what he wanted
How did Mussolini deal with the conservative elites?
The judiciary largely remained independant - many judges still joined the PNF to ensure they kept their jobs
Many civil servants were kept.
What was the corporate state?
The idea that bosses and workers collaberate.
They’re would be meetings about pay and conditions where the employee and employer would discuss with a fascist mediator
It gave the idea that it was fair for the workers, but the fascists would often side with the employers
How did Mussolini respond to the Great Depression?
Workers’ wages cut 12%, encouraged price fixing and cartelisation (big businesses taking over small ones)
Employment encouraged through large-scale public works (road and house building, electrification of railway)
IMI policy meant banks were protected from collapse.
IRI policy meant the government bought shares in companies so they wouldn’t go bankrupt. They were to be sold back when the company was running comfortably
Why did Mussolini pursue autarky?
Overvalued Lire and depression meant a decline in trade
Sanctions in 1936 for militarism in Africa, Preparation for war
General fascist idea that the country is the best and can fend for itself
Did produce all of its wheat but had to import the fertiliser
Spending on aurtarky - 1934 - 30 billion, 1938 - 60 billion
What was Mussolini’s relationship with the church?
Latern Pact 1929 with Pope Pius XI
Solved the Roman question (Vatican City established)
given 750 million Lire and 1,000 million in state bonds as compensation for lost territories
Catholicism recognised as state religion and taught in schools
Catholic youth groups could continue to operate
Didn’t give Mussolini anything tangible but the support of the church meant the support of many Italian catholics
Why were there tensions with the Church and Mussolini in the 1930s?
Didn’t support the anti-Semitic decrees and many pastors would hide Jews to protect them
What was the battle for births?
Announced May 1927, aimed to encourage Italians to have large families so there would be a population of at least 60million by 1960. Mussolini believed that the population of 40million and its low birth rate was detrimental as it couldn’t compete with larger armies of Russia and Germany. It would also help economically as it would create more competition for jobs which meant wages could be reduced.
Tax reductions and loans provided to large families. Prizes were given to large families. Bachelor’s tax introduced so single men had to pay more to encourage them to settle down. Fathers were given better job opportunities.
All birth control banned. and women couldn’t work in industry.
