Political tensions in 1943

Question 1

unrest

Answer 1

Combined effects of economic turmoil, rationing, food and clothing shortages led to growing unrest among Italians; first strike in 18 years on March 5th, with 100,000 workers in Turin, spread to Milan etc

Question 2

strikes

Answer 2

Communist workers helped organise strikes; demand better pay for people forced to evacuate
Government agreed to increase money for evacuees, so strikes ended
First mass protest within Axis-controlled Europe; communism and socialism able to influence Italy after 20 years of fascist rule

Question 3

anti-fascist groups

Answer 3

Antifascist groups resurfaced; illegal communist paper L’Unita reappeared in 1942
New antifascist group called ‘Party of Action’ appeared in 1942
1,400 arrests by secret police March-June 1943
Represented reemergence of political antifascism after 18 years
Strikes organised, antifascist slogans appeared on buildings

Question 4

April 1943

Answer 4

all groups except republicans agreed to work together against fascism
First time in Italian politics that communists, socialists, Catholics agreed to collaborate
None had potential to overthrow Mussolini but antifascist policies were reemerging and discussion on began on the nature of the Italian political system once fascism was removed

Question 5

conservative elites

Answer 5

greatest danger was conservative elite that worked with him since 1922
Vatican, military leaders, industrialists and police considered how Mussolini might be deposed and Italy removed from the war
Mussolini was a weakened figure, beset by illness and stress; no plan for Italy’s progress in war
Conservative elites could not extract Italy from war and overthrow Mussolini without provoking Germans

Question 6

Mussolini’s removal

Answer 6

Six months of discussions, still no course of action

3 September 1943: Allies began invasion of Italy and question of Mussolini’s removal was more urgent