Mussolini's domestic policies

Question 1

Battle for Grain (1925)

Answer 1

Aimed at achieving agricultural self-sufficiency by increasing wheat production; involved land reclamation projects like draining marshes.

Increased wheat output but reduced agricultural diversity, causing Italy to import other foodstuffs at higher costs

Question 2

Battle for Births (1927)

Answer 2

Encouraged population growth through financial incentives for large families, heavy taxation on bachelors, and banning contraceptives.

Intended to boost manpower for military and economic strength, reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Question 3

Battle for Lira (1926)

Answer 3

Mussolini revalued the currency to strengthen the Italian Lira, controlling wages and inflation, attempting to showcase Italy as a great power.

This policy harmed exports, reduced industrial production, increased unemployment, and lowered wages, negatively affecting the economy.

Question 4

The Charter of Labour (1927)

Answer 4

-Foundational piece of legislation aimed at reorganising Italy’s economy under the principles of Fascist corporatism and state control while preserving private enterprise.

-Integrated economic production into the state, subordinating individual and class interests to the nation, and legitimising Fascist control over labour relations.

Question 5

Social and Cultural policies

Answer 5

Education was tightly controlled; textbooks were rewritten to promote fascism, teachers wore uniforms, and children could report dissenting teachers.

Youth were conscripted into fascist youth organisations with military-style training and indoctrination, emphasising loyalty to Mussolini

Question 6

Lateran Treaty (1929)

Answer 6

Resolved longstanding conflict with the Catholic Church by recognising Vatican City as an independent state and Catholicism as Italy’s official religion.

The Church was exempt from taxes and gained control over religious education, while recognising Mussolini’s regime, thus legitimising his rule

Question 7

Suppression of Civil Liberties

Answer 7

Trade unions were banned and replaced with government-controlled syndicates.

Freedom of speech, press, and political assembly were eliminated, consolidating authoritarian control.