Domestic Tensions

Question 1

Any dissent?

Answer 1

No doubt that disquiet towards the regime was becoming more prominent in the late 1930s

Question 2

What was causing concern?

Answer 2

Domestic and foreign policy direction : 80% of state deficit was for military spending 1935-1939 and this caused a squeeze on middle class incomes - very unpopular

Question 3

Autarky?

Answer 3

Many consumer products became expensive as do,estimates Italian industry produced goods that could’ve been cheaper to buy from international markets

Question 4

Battle for Grain?

Answer 4

Caused worsening diets and living standards in agricultural sectors were on a sharp decline ; Italy’ economy was becoming worryingly reliant on Germany, heightened by the new commercial treaty of February 1939

Question 5

What did economic dependency do?

Answer 5

Instigated a very unpopular policy concerning the transfer of Italian workers to Germany ; 500000 by 1945 ; these workers were often treated poorly by the Germans who had a condescending attitude
Contradicted Mussolini’s aims of Italian people staying in Italy and being treated with dignity - HATED POLICY and confirmed subservience to Hitler

Question 6

Anschluss?

Answer 6

Fear of this growing relationship ; 1938 reform of customs and anti-Semitic policy also unpopular - MUSSOLINI’S IMAGE IN CULT OF IL DUCE ALSO WORSENED AS HARDER TO SUSTAIN YOUTHFUL DYNAMIC DICTATOR

Question 7

So would Italy have fallen if it wasn’t for foreign policy?

Answer 7

No - domestic problems should not be exaggerated as police still functioning efficiently + no upsurge in anti fascism ; Mussolini still popular + whole generation of Italians had grown up with him as the leader - no alternative narrative to the fascist regime ; POLICIES/PNF MAY NOT HAVE BEEN POPULAR