Democracy Restored, 1943-46 Flashcards
1
Q
How did the allies invade the rest of Italy?
A
- September 1943, allies began invasion and a secret armistice was signed, promised the allies 60,000 troops
- Hitler invaded the north of Italy whilst peace was negotiated in the South and Italy publicly surrendered
- Italy declared war on Germany on 13th September, clear the promised troops would not be given
2
Q
What happened to Mussolini after he was disposed?
A
- Rescued from captivity at a ski resort by the SS
- Hitler demanded that Mussolini return to the North of Italy as the head of a new govt. established by Nazis
- Threatened to destroy Northern cities if he refused
- Mussolini returned and led the Salo Republic (RSI)
3
Q
What was the Salo Republic like?
A
- Bodies spread out to stop effective government
- Cabinet of radical fascist, set up Verona Manifesto to take fascism back to its roots, never put in place
- 7,000 Jews sent to death camps, 5 fascist executed
- GNR set up, 573,000 men used for civil war, not WW2
- Germans had brutal policies against the Italians
4
Q
What was the government in the South like?
A
- In theory a constitutional monarchy under Victor Emmanuel III and Bonomi who replaced Bodoglio
- Little change to local government, no purges
- Anti-fascist war of liberation largely in the North
- American secret service linked up with the Mafia
- Rome was liberated in June 1944
5
Q
How were the RSI and Southern Italy similar?
A
- Government, both really had little power as this was controlled by Germany and the allies
- Living conditions, Germans inflicted lots of damage in the north, smuggling and black markets in the south, economic conditions got worse in both
6
Q
Why and when did the Germans surrender?
A
-April 1945, left Italy with Mussolini as the allies were advancing into the North and the army was collapsing facing the partisan groups
7
Q
What eventually happened to Mussolini?
A
- Convoy carrying Mussolini was stopped by communists, let the Germans go in exchange for any Italians
- Mussolini and his mistress were captured and shot, bodies put on public display in Milan
8
Q
What was the outcome of the 1946 referendum?
A
- 2nd June, Italians asked if they wanted Italy to be a republic or not
- 12.7 million to 10.7 million voted yes, the King was replaced by a president
9
Q
What were the outcomes of the 1946 elections?
A
- 2nd June, Christian Democrats won largest amount with 207/556 seats
- PCI won 104 seats and the PSI 114 seats
10
Q
What is the legacy of Mussolini?
A
- Tomb in Predappio is a place of neo-fascist pilgrimage
- His death date has become one of three that is marked with major rallies