Economic And Social Policies

Question 1

What was Mussolini’s economic policy from 1922-25?

Answer 1

Abandoned anti-Capitalist ideas of 1919 programme eg nationalisation of the arms industry. Supported liberal ideas of free trade and laisse-faire policies to win over conservatives business interests.

Question 2

Why did the Italian economy improve in the early 1920s?

Answer 2

Global economic boom, leading to decline in unemployment.

Question 3

Who was finance minister 1922-25 and what were his policies?

Answer 3

De Stefani: tax cuts, pursuing pro-business policies, reducing public spending etc

Question 4

How much did exports of textiles, car and agricultural goods increase from1922-25?

Answer 4

Doubled

Question 5

What di de Stefaihave difficulties with?

Answer 5

Rising inflation due to industrial boom.

Question 6

When was de Stafani replaced and who with?

Answer 6

1925, Volpi and saw economic policies becoming more fascist-centred.

Question 7

What were the four battles?

Answer 7

The battle for the lira, the battle for gran, the battle for births and the battle of the marshes

Question 8

When was the lira revalued?

Answer 8

December 1927

Question 9

What was the lira revalued to?

Answer 9

From 150 to 90 lira against the pound.

Question 10

What was the effect of the revaluation?

Answer 10

Marked a period of greater state intervention. Undermined Italian exports, but meant that imports were cheaper benefitting industries such as the steel and rearmament sectors. Relied heavily on foreign imports for war preparation.

Question 11

How did revaluation of the lira affect living standards?

Answer 11

Wages fell more than prices, so living stands declined.

Question 12

How much did unemployment increase 1926-28?

Answer 12

trebled

Question 13

When was the lira devalued?

Answer 13

October 1936

Question 14

What was the corporate state?

Answer 14

A proposed ‘third way’ which aimed to promote cooperation between employers and employees.

Question 15

When was the structure of corporatism introduced an who by?

Answer 15

1926-28 by Rocco

Question 16

How was the corporate state set up?

Answer 16

Separate corporations in significant areas of the Italian economy. Both workers and employees represented. Employers insured they wouldn’t lose control over their factories (as desired by more apical syndicalism fascists)

Question 17

What issues was the corporate state intended to solve?

Answer 17

Disputes between workers and management, disputes abut pay and working conditions, need to improve production

Question 18

When was the Palazzo Vidoni Pact signed?

Answer 18

October 1925

Question 19

What was the Palazzo Vidoni Pact?

Answer 19

Singed between the industrial employers’ association and the fascists trade union federation. Each recognised the other as the only negotiator for their respective groups, excluding free trades unions from negotiations

Question 20

When were free trade unions dissolved?

Answer 20

1926

Question 21

What economic law was introduced in 1926?

Answer 21

Labour and Anti-Strike Law, meaning lockouts and strikes could be punished by fiends and imprisonment. Some professions eg teachers banned from being members of trades unions.

Question 22

When was the Ministry of Corporations founded?

Answer 22

1926

Question 23

What was the Ministry of Corporations?

Answer 23

Oversaw new system.

Question 24

When did the corporate state become fully operational?

Answer 24

1934, with corporations in 22 areas of the economy. Not fully supported my Mussolini and more of a propaganda move.

Question 25

What was the Confindustria?

Answer 25

Represented Italian business organisations

Question 26

How many corporations had been created by the end of the 1920s?

Answer 26

1

Question 27

Why was the corporate state a failure?

Answer 27

Didn’t have corporations or all areas until 1934. Employee representatives appointed by fascists. Many industrialists ignored corporations.

Question 28

How was the corporate state used for propaganda?

Answer 28

Catholic intellectuals argued it led to Catholic teachings being implemented, looked to the world as if the system was harmonious and functioning.

Question 29

When did the government become more interventionist?

Answer 29

Following the Great Depression, 1929

Question 30

What did unemployment rise by due to the Great Depression?

Answer 30

From 300,000 to over 1 million

Question 31

Whe was the IRI established and what was it?

Answer 31

1933, used state finances to buy worthless shares and land money to industry. Led to elements of Italian industry surging, howler banking system became more or less state owned.

Question 32

Which other area did the government in crease spending on?

Answer 32

work creation schemes

Question 33

When was the official policy of autarky announced?

Answer 33

1936

Question 34

why was the policy of autarky introduced?

Answer 34

Militaristic state preparing for ear, sanctions placed by League of Nations following Ethiopian War.

Question 35

When was the High Commission of Autarky introduced?

Answer 35

1937 too upraise policies

Question 36

When was the Battle of the Grain introduced?

Answer 36

1925

Question 37

What policies were introduced to achieve autarky?

Answer 37

Battle for the Grain, increased currency controls, quotas on imports, created substitutes eg lanital insetad of wool, searches for new energy sources

Question 38

Which goods became less of a priorit?

Answer 38

Consumer goods

Question 39

what were negative effects of the policies of autarky?

Answer 39

No oil discovered in Italy, lack of fuel, domestic production of fuel met only 1/5 of industrial needs, wheat imports cut but other imports rose, prices increased, Italy unable to join in fighting in 1939

Question 40

When was the battle for births introduced?

Answer 40

1927

Question 41

What was the goal for the battle for Births?

Answer 41

Increase population from 40 million to 60 million by 1950