totalitarian state 1925-1940 essay plan lol x2 Flashcards
(24 cards)
intro: To what extent did Mussolini create a totalitarian state in Italy (1925–40)?
While he created an authoritarian regime that survived over a decade, Mussolini’s control over society, culture, and the economy was often limited, and personal power may have been his main aim.
How did Mussolini consolidate control within the Fascist Party?
Farinacci purged opposition within the party (1925–26). Later purges by Turati (50,000–60,000) by 1929 and Giuriati (120,000) by 1931removed hardliners. Most new members joined for career benefits, not ideology.
Who were most of the new members by 1931?
Many of the 800,000 new members were clerks, civil servants, and white-collar workers who joined mostly due to career opportunities.
How did Fascists already dominate Parliament by 1924?
Through victory in April 1924 after the Acerbo Laws passed.
How did Mussolini deal with political opposition?
Through the Laws of Fascism (Legge Fascistissime) (1925–26): press freedom removed, opposition parties banned, secret police introduced, and government by decree established.
How did Mussolini deal with nationalists and right-wing parties?
Right-wing parties merged with PNF or disbanded e.g. following merge with ANI in 1923, nationalists served in govt (e.g. Ciano, communications minister).
What happened to left-wing and liberal opposition?
Crushed early on; e.g., 8 liberals murdered in Florence (1925), and opposition didn’t resurface until military defeat in 1942.
How did Mussolini control institutions like parliament and the judiciary?
From 1928, Fascist Grand Council selected Chamber members. Judges were replaced, and the OVRA (secret police) used arrest without trial.
What role did the OVRA and penal camps play?
OVRA had powers of detention; 5,000 opponents imprisoned or banished (e.g. Lipari Islands). But only 9 political executions occurred by 1940.
Did Mussolini control the monarchy?
No. King retained the right to dismiss Mussolini (which he used in 1943). Mussolini was never head of state.
How interested was Mussolini in economic control?
Only in relation to war preparation. His early minister, de Stefani, pursued liberal economic policies (1922–25).
How did Mussolini restructure economic institutions?
Trade unions abolished; replaced with fascist syndicates. Strikes banned (Rocco Law, 1926). Protective tariffs supported big business.
What were the policies Mussolini implemented to achieve autarky?
Battle for Lira where Italy demanded the lira to be revalued from 140 to 90 lira to the British pound.
How was the Battle for Lira an attempt to achieve total economic control?
It was a shift from the free market economy with more govt intervention. It was thwarted with wage cuts, falling standards of living and rising unemployment but did ot lead to hostility or opposition towards Mussolini.
How did responses to the Great Depression lead to more state control of the economy?
Setting up the IRI in 1933 which used state finances to buy worthless shares as well as lending money to industries. At the same time the banking system became more or less state owned which further gave the impression Fascists had total control over the economy
Was the Corporate State effective?
No. It functioned mainly in employers’ interests and failed to regulate labour-capital relations effectively.
What was the Lateran Pact (1929)?
A deal recognising Vatican City as an independent state and Catholicism as the state religion, in exchange for Church support for the regime.
Did Mussolini achieve total control over the Church?
No. The Church remained independent and critical at times (e.g., Pius XI objected to anti-Semitic laws), but its opposition was mostly ineffective.
How did Mussolini use propaganda to strengthen his position?
Cult of ‘Il Duce’ created; opponents side-lined (e.g. Farinacci dismissed, Balbo sent to Libya). Mussolini positioned as central to the regime.
How did Mussolini influence education and youth?
Teachers wore uniforms; youth indoctrination through Opera Nazionale Balilla (1926); schools focused on militarisation.
Was adult society fully controlled?
No. Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro focused more on leisure than fascist indoctrination (e.g. sports, holidays).
What was the ‘Battle for Births’?
A failed policy to increase birth rate (fell until 1936); 1938 law restricted women’s work to 10% (but by 1936 it was still 33%).
How did Mussolini treat Jews in Italy?
From 1938, Jews were banned from the PNF and stripped of citizenship. However, laws were poorly enforced due to public resistance and Mussolini’s lack of commitment.
Overall, did Mussolini create a totalitarian state by 1940?
Not fully. He had authoritarian control of the state and party, but his limited grip on culture, the Church, and parts of society suggests Italy remained only partially totalitarian.
