Comparing Domestic Policies of Mussolini and Hitler (Exam Topic)

Question 1

Political Beliefs/System (Comparision)

Answer 1

Both fascist leaders of a single-party state, are discontented with ToV, and want fully fascist nations.
Mussolini came to power in 1922 and Hitler came to power in 1933

Question 2

Education of Youth (Comparison)

Answer 2

Hitler created ‘Hitler Youth’ starting at age 4, and in 1936 it becomes mandatory. “Your child belongs to us already”
Mussolini started the youth movement in 1926, 7m belonged to the ONB. 40% never joined and 2% were still illiterate in 1931.
Both programs were highly militarized, political and gender-based. Loyalty was hard to judge.

Question 3

Women (Comparison)

Answer 3

Both have traditional views on women and encourage large families however, birthrates only rise slightly.
In Germany the slogan “Kinder, Kuche, Kirche”. Wants to keep women out of work.
In Italy abortion, contraception and sterilization is banned in 1926. Aims to increase population from 40m to 60m, however in 1950 it is only 47m

Question 4

Propaganda and Cult of Personality (Comparison)

Answer 4

Both used propaganda to gain support and stress the greatness of each leader. Both limited art and culture.
Germany has Goebels (propaganda expert) leading the propaganda ministry (founded in 1933) with 15k employees.
Italy owned only 10% of the media but had a large emphasis on radio and film. “Il duce”

Question 5

Religion and Genocide (Contrast)

Answer 5

Hitler disliked Christianity and wanted to replace it with Nazi ideology. The church ends up providing effective opposition. In 1935 through the Nuremberg Laws, Jews lost citizenship. In 1941, all Jews are moved to camps and in 1942 the holocaust begins. Started programs, 1938 Kristallnacht occurred.
Mussolini recognized the need for the church’s support. Signed the Lateran Accords in 1929. Introduced some anti-Semitic laws due to pressure from Hitler in 1939. These laws banned inter-faith marriages, barred Jews from civil service and barred Jewish kids from schools. These laws were hugely unpopular.

Question 6

The Degree to Which Hitler Achieved His Domestic Policy Aims

Answer 6

Hard to judge the loyalty of kids. A small increase in the birthrate. Successes with Propaganda.

Question 7

The Degree to Which Mussolini Achieved His Domestic Policy Aims

Answer 7

General failure. A small increase in the birthrate and it was hard to judge the loyalty of kids. Media control failed. However, he had success with propaganda and religion.

Question 8

Quotations (Mussolini)

Answer 8

“Glory days of Rome”
“wonderful man working for the greatness of his country”-Chamberlin
“Often I would like to be wrong, but so far it has never happened, events have turned out just as I foresee”-Mussolini
“Only maniacs never change”-Mussolini(He was flexible)
“Angels of the hearth”-Italy describing women
“War is to men what maternity is to women”

Question 9

Quotations (Hitler)

Answer 9

“Kinder, Kuche, Kirche”
Media Control is the “Sharpest weapon in controlling the state”-Goebbels
“Nothing inevitable about Hitler’s triumph”-I. Kershaw
“Your child belongs to us already”
“The first, best and most suitable place for women is in the family, and her most glorious duty is to give children to the people and nation”-Goebbels
“Willingness to detach the person of Hitler himself from the evils of the system”- I.Kershaw

Question 10

Russia Quotes (Just In Case)

Answer 10

“We are becoming a country of metal”-Stalin
“Comrades, think of a way of removing Stalin” “Stalin is too rude”-Lenin’s will
“We are 50 or 100 years behind advanced countries. We must make up this gap in ten years. Either we do it or they will crush us”-Stalin
“None of Stalin’s targets might have been achieved but in every case, output was increased”-Bollock
“Revolution from above”-Alex 2