Mussolini 1 Flashcards
(22 cards)
Italy before 1861 & how it looks after
Italy had been divided into several states, and unified in 1861.
Despite this, the society remained divided across geographical, religious and social lines. These divisions weakened Italian government and along with the unrest caused by Italy´s involvment in WW1, helped to facilitate Mussolini’s rise to power.
How did Italy look before Mussolini?
Industrialised and partially prosperous north, underdeveloped south.
Catholic Chruch had huge influence.
Power between the King appointing ministers and the legislative parliament.
Italy enters WW1 on Entante’s side after promised Austrian Territory, in the Treaty of London.
500 000 dead, country in debt, inflation and unemployment.
Impact of WW1 on Italy?
Huge debts to be paid back in the postwar period.
Substantial (considerable) inflation. Rapid expansion of war-related industries managed to secure profits for short-term for industrialists. However. after 1918, unemployment rose and the situation was made worse by the returning soliders.
Increasing violence - postwar social and economic situation worsened. Strikes and occupations of factories and lands 1918-20. Demanded wage increase.
Land occupations (espeically in south). Returning soliders and peasants siezed barren (infertile) land, forced landlords to sell plots cheaply. Many believed that it was the fault of communists or anarchist doctrines, not the great war. The government backed off and so people took the matter into their own hand - resorting to more violence and humiliation.
Nationalist and traditional landed and industrial elites, were furious with the government. Backing off from the strikes and uprisings, but also because of the peace settlement. Wished for additional colonial gains in Africa, the port of Fiume.
When did Fascist Movement grow?
In the violent postwar period, March 1919 as a Combat group. Fascio di Combattimento. By Benito Mussolini.
Two Red Years
Biennio Rosso - 1918-20. Private army of nationalist legionaries led by Gabriele D’Annunzio occupied Fiume in Yugoslavia 1920.
Fascits Movement - how was it influenced? Characteristics? Where did it spread?
It was first introduced as a new left-wing challenger to socialism but soon developed to be anti-socialist.
Influenced by futurism, and had an emphasis on violent action and contempt of ‘soft’ liberal ideas and parliamentarism.
Very violent and used intimidation. Wore Black Shirts, known as Squadristi, targeted parliamentary opponents (knives, guns).
Where did the Fascist Movemnt grow support? Parliament? People?
Rivals to established socialist parites. Recruited by right-wing forces to combat unions with violence.
Popular in Northen Italy, 1920-22. 30 000 memebers. Made up of war veterans, former officers, students and professional landowning families.
Why did Fascism grow?
“Fascism offered comadership and excitement in a dull and ungrateful postwar world. Italy’s “enemies” are the socialists and liberals.
Fascism promised the revolutionary overthrow of liberal Italy’s tired ruling caste by new elite.
Fascism rise to power
1921 election grants Fascists 35 seats in the parliament. All Fascist groups unite into one single party. Partito Nazionale Francista.
Supports the monarchy and free-trade, but is anti-socialist.
Many political leaders (especially conservatives) sought to tame this force and use it to put an end to trade unions and Communist revolutions.
However, after a failed general-strike against Fascists (by the socialists), Fascists make it known that they would march on Rome, to overthrow the impotent Socialist government.
King Victor Emannuel III won’t declare martial law in fear of bloodshed and offers the post of Prime Minister to Mussolini. Luigi Facta resigns in protest.
Mussolini as Prime Minister
1923, Fascist Grand Council founded. Arcebo Law passed - 2/3 of seats in the parliament were to be granted to the leading party.
1924, Fascists won 374 out of 535 seats.
Socialist Giacomo Matteotti is assasinated by Fascist later in that summer. Catholics, Socialists, and Liberals withdraw from parliament in protest. Hoped that Mussolin would resign, but he is supported by the King.
1925, Italy is declared a dictatorship, and Mussolini is titled ‘Il Duce.
Move towards Dictatorship
Democracy is gradually dismanteled in 1925-27. As Capo del Govereno, Mussolini is only responsible to the king alone.
1926 all other parties are outlawed after a failed Anarchist attempt to assasinate Mussolini.
Political dissidents (those who oppose dictatorship) are persecuted by a political police force (OVRA).
Independent local Fascist groups are crubed.
The corporate state
A thrid way between socialism and capitalism. Class conflicts should we resolved and managed by the state. In the end, all communities and groups need to submit to the state.
Ministry of Corporations established 1926.
Natinal council of corporations established 1930. It represents employers, workers and state officials decide wages, working conditions, etc.
The conflict with the Catholics remains a big problem for the Fascists.
The Latrean Accords
- Mussolini is the first Italian leader in 60 years to establish a cordial relation with the Papacy, when he signed an agreement with the Catholic Chruch.
Mussolini would recieve the support of the Papacy, strenghtening his political legitimacy as Italy’s leader in the eyes of Italian Catholics.
In turn, the Vatican gained more influence in Italian schools, and over teachers. Catholicism was established as the sole religion of the Italian state. Vatican City was to be soveregin and independent, but in return, recognised the kingdom of Italy, under the rule of the house of Savoy, with Rome as a captial.
Modernisation of Italian Economy
1926, the Italian lira was exchanged to the value of 90 lira to a pound. However, this had unfortunate effects.
Italian export of cars and textiles became uncompetitive in prices in the wolrd market.
High tarrifs were imposed to keep cheap imports out of Italy, and to protect heavy industry and selected agricultural products.
Government backed chemical and steel industries (only industries that really flourished).
Encouraged productivism - using economic growth to achieve social, political and cultural regeneration.
In late 1930s Italy owns more industry only second to USSR. Also 1/3 of the public spending goes to military rearmament.
“Battle of Lira”
What is “Battle for Wheat”
It’s a campaign, that wanted to avoid large imports on wheat neccesary due to a bad harvest in 1925. High tarrifs were placed on imported wheat, leading to high bread prices, but it benefited Italian farmers. However this led to more people producing wheat, and negleting the production of other crops (more wheat produced). Did not benefit famers producing - wine/olives/diary.
The Battle of the Marches
State sponsored infrastructure projects which created more jobs and reduced malaria by half. Because of the draining of marshes (mlastina) 1/3 of all the public work jobs, and served as a shield against the Depression.
Results of economic modernisation in Italy
Loss of foregin export markets, faulty priorities and expenditures on foregin conflicts stiffled economic growth.
Also, the projects and reforms hardly benefited ordinary Italian wokrers and farmers, especially not in the South.
Foregin Policy aims
Mussolini’s foreign policy is expansionistic and proactive, with a desire to reclaim its reputation in the Mediterranean Sea. He declares the Mediterranean as Mare Nostro, remembering the Roman Empire.
There is also a need for colonial expansion in order to gain spazio vitale.
Fiume ceded to Italy in an agreement with Yugoslavia 1924.
Albania comes under Italian influence as a protectorate. 1926.
With the increase of Hitler’s Germany - French and British leaders reach out to Mussolini to get him on their side - Locarno Treaties of 1925.
The Corfu crisis (Foregin Policy)
1923, Italian forces occupy Corfu after the murder of an Italian official. This created strong opposition from Britain. After some negotiations, there was an agreement that the dispute should be setteled by the Conference of Amassadors, but only if Italy handed Corfu back to Greece.
The Abyssinian Crisis
Italy accepted to work on France/Britain’s side as opposed to Germany - if he could aquire land in Africa. They accepted the terms but Italy had to be discreet and negotiate for the land. However Italy planned for a military conquest.
Mussolini wanted revenge on Abyssinia after humiliating defeat in 1896.
Friendship Treaty signed with the emperor in 1928.
Full scale Italian invasion in 1935. The League of Nations comdemns Italian agression and imposes economic sanctions, but they are torn between their leading positions in the League and promises to Mussolini.
Involvement in Spanish Civil War
Mussolini supports General Franco’s troops (nationalists). Provides troops and weapons.
Franco suceeds thanks to German rather than Italian support.
Rome-Berlin Axis
After the invasion of Abyssinia and the aid of Spanish Civil war, Mussolini realises his weakness and understands that he has no choice but to cooperate with Hitler.
Hitler pressured Italy to pass race laws in 1938, targetting Jews. Italians unhappy and laws are mostly ignored.
As Hitler occupies Sudetenland and the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939, Mussolini decides to occupy Albania as well (already Italian influenced).
May 1939, GE and IT form a military alliance “the pact of steel”. However with the invasion of Polan, Italy remains neutral.
