Democracy restored, 1943–46 Flashcards
When did the Republic of the South gain Rome?
1944
During what is sometimes called the … days, the time between ……………………………………. much happened
During what is sometimes called the 45 days, the time between Mussolini’s dismissal and his escape made possible by a daring aerial raid by German commandos, much happened
What happened on the 28th August 1943
- Mussolini had been transferred to a prison on Gran Sasso, the highest mountain in the Abruzzi region south east of Rome
What happened on the 12th September 1943
- Mussolini was rescued in a daring aerial raid by the Germans and brought back to Germany
What happened on the 13th September 1943
- Mussolini met with Hitler at the Nazi control centre in East
- Prussia Here Hiller demanded that Mussolini return to italy at the head of a new fascist government that the Nazis would establish
What happened on the 15th September 1943
- Mussolini announced the creation of a new German- sponsored Fascist state
- The Italian Social Republic often known as the Salo Republic (RSI)
What were immediate limitations of the Salo Republic
-Germany
- The new regime was heavy reliant on German arms & Germany
What were immediate limitations of the Salo Republic
-north
- By 1944 the partisans posed a serious threat in the north.
- controlled only a small part of northern Italy - its capital was at Lake Garda
What were immediate limitations of the Salo Republic
-mussolini
- It lacked any real public support because many Italians had lost faith in Mussolini who was suffering from ill health by now
Who supported the republic of Salo
- The new cabinet and supporters were mainly radical Fascists who had been part of the violent black shirt militia such as Farinacci
How did limited support limit the RSI’s policy making
- Despite adopting many of the policies from the 1919 Manifesto (now part of the Verona Manifesto)
- he never had the time, willingness or support from the Germans to put his policies in to place
How did limited support limit the RSI’s policy making
- Despite adopting many of the policies from the 1919 Manifesto (now part of the Verona Manifesto)
- he never had the time, willingness or support from the Germans to put his policies in to place
Give evidence that the RSI was a brutalist regime
- it spawned a fearful Militia although historians disagree about the number involved with estimates ranging from 50,000 to 140,000 men
- it also had a navy and air force
- five fascists, including Clano, were sentenced to death for treason and their executions carried out in January 1944
What was the attitude to Jew in the Salo Republic
- the Verona Manifesto declared Judaism a nationality and that all Jews should be classed as the enemy
- around 7,500 were sent from italian camps to Nazi death camps where nearly 7,000 were executed
What war happened
- A brutal civil war was waged in norther Italy between italian partisans and German and RSI forces
Civil War
Germany policy set out that for …………… that died, … Italians would be executed
- Germany policy set out that for every German soldier that died, 10 Italians would be executed
Give an example of the executions that took place becasue of the civil war
- Partisan attacks in March 1944 that killed 33 German soldiers for example had been answered with the execution of 335 Italians
What were immediate limitations of the Salo Republic
-elite
- The RSI was also rejected by those conservative groups notably industrialists and the Church, who had largely embraced the pre-war Fascist state
Authority in the Republic of Salo
- No clear authority- Mussolini supposedly in charge but didn’t reside in Salo and gov offices were in Milan; Hitler didn’t want Mussolini to gain a clear power base.
- Republican fascist Party replaced the PNF and the King’s authority not recognised.
External influence over the Republic of Salo
- Made to pay 7 billion lire a month to the Nazis.
- Hitler limits Mussolini’s power by not giving him a strong base.
- Heavily reliant on German support once the Nazis saved Mussolini.
Describe the Republic of Salo’s unpopularity
- Republican Fascist party only had 487000 members compared to the PNF’s 2.6m.
- Threat from partisans: 30,000 partisan revenge killings.
- Continued use of fear and repression to maintain control: Mussolini’s son-in-law Ciano executed, use of fascist police force, militias, army and navy.
Describe the Kingdom of the South’s authority
Under control of the King and his provisional government.
Weakness: limited army; only 22 of the previous 62 divisions remained.
What did the King set up
- The King established the royal government of the kingdom of the South
- Also known as the Allied Millary Govemment (AMG)
How did the elites operate in the South
- The Conservative elites, many of whom had been involved with national or local government kept their position to help make sure the country could still function in some form