Essay - Fascists Consolidation Of Power Flashcards
Factor: establishment of the fascists (use of legal means) (police)
K They also needed to ensure that they silenced opposition. Mussolini had successfully portrayed himself as the strong ruler Italy required, in contrast to the weak and divisive politics that had dominated since 1870. Once in power he set about removing any potential dissent. He strengthened his own position by passing the Acerbo law that gave the PNF a majority, and after having a major critic murdered, he successfully called parliament’s bluff and followed it up with the banning of all opposition parties.
A This, in conjunction with the abolition of trade unions and the censorship of the media, allowed the Fascists to take complete control of the political system and to consolidate their power because there was no political alternative.
A+ However, although he was successful in eliminating official opposition, Mussolini never quite achieved complete control. He had to share some measure of authority with the Church, and the Fascist Grand Council or the King could dismiss him (as they did in 1943).
EOverall, changes made to the political system ensured that the Fascists remained unchallenged for almost two decades. However, the Acerbo law would not have delivered power had the PNF not won the 1924 election, and this was done through intimidation of opponents and a major propaganda campaign.
Factor: fear and intimidation
K The Squadristi who had menaced opponents in the rise to power continued to operate as the paramilitary wing of the party, willing to intimidate, assault or murder opponents and prevent any organised opposition.
A This was very effective in keeping dissent to a minimum.
K In addition, Italy’s secret police (OVRA), created an atmosphere of fear and distrust that also assisted in the Fascist maintenance of power by discouraging criticism and organised opposition.
A+ However, even though dissent was suppressed, it was never quite extinguished. Mussolini never felt secure enough to silence his most vocal critics such as Benedetto Croce, and the reintroduced death penalty was very rarely actually used.
E Overall, although violence and intimidation were important tools of oppression, the Fascist government was never fully totalitarian, and so relied on a degree of popular consent to maintain power. Therefore, social and economic ‘successes’ amplified by propaganda were at least as important in keeping Mussolini in charge.
Factor:propaganda
KPropaganda was the means by which the regime successfully amplified its achievements in order to boost support and consolidate their power. The Fascists controlled all the media - the radio, press and cinema - and so controlled the message
A to control the information available to the public, and to make sure that it always contained a positive spin for the government
K propaganda shone a positive light around Mussolini himself, portraying him as a national saviour; giving him the title ‘Duce’ and plastering his image across public buildings and places throughout Italy
A portrayed Mussolini as a national hero, and ensured that the people of Italy were largely persuaded to support the ‘successful’ regime that had solved Italy’s social, economic and political problems.
E Overall, propaganda was the most important factor in the Fascist maintenance of power because it either exaggerated or covered up shortfalls in all of the other Fascist achievements or policies. As Denis Mack-Smith observes, “Fascism was propaganda as a substitute for action”.
Factor: foreign policy
K Mussolini had come to power partly on the promise to make Italy a great imperial power, and by the 1930s an aggressive foreign policy would also serve to distract public attention from a poor economy, a fall in real wages, and the loss of civil rights. Mussolini’s attack on Abyssinia, whilst condemned by the rest of the world, was hugely hyped back at home through the state-controlled media.
A The Abyssinian conquest was a triumph and gave Italy a colony: it was ‘ a political masterpiece and his greatest success’
A+ As long as there was an apparent success, then the policies helped the Fascists. The attack on Abyssinia was enthusiastically supported, but as Italian casualties mounted in the Spanish Civil War, and then especially in WW2, foreign policy actually caused support to fall for the Fascists.
K Mussolini was successfully portraying himself as a major statesman, culminating in his principal role in the Munich Agreement in 1938, which enhanced his reputation at home and abroad.
Therefore, in the pre-War years, foreign policy ‘success’ was very successfully exploited by the regime in order to strengthen its position.
A + However, by the later 1930s foreign policy was proving unpopular with Italians, particularly the closer ties to Nazi Germany - the adoption of anti-Semitic legislation to please Hitler in 1938 appalled most Italians and led to condemnation from the Pope.
E Ultimately, it was Mussolini’s decision to ally with Hitler that would bring him down in 1943, so it could be argued that foreign policy had the most significant impact on the success of the regime, as even propaganda couldn’t put a gloss on the increasing military disaster of WWII.
Factor: economic and social policies
K One of the key reasons for Mussolini gained power in 1922 was his promise to provide work and a better standard of living. Therefore, the Fascists embarked on a series of ambitious public works schemes - infrastructure projects, such as building autostrade and public buildings.
A These provided work to thousands, and allowed Mussolini to claim he had delivered on his promises, helping the Fascists stay in power.
A+ However, in reality workers in these new jobs were exploited by poor pay and conditions, not helped by the abolition of trade unions. Moreover, efforts were primarily aimed at high profile projects, leaving much of Italy’s rural infrastructure neglected
K Mussolini also identified lofty aims for the Italian economy. There was to be less reliance on imported coal and steel, and Italy was to generate her own power through hydroelectric plants
A+ However, the real triumph was that of propaganda; for example, steel output was ‘doubled’, but this was from a very low base of roughly 0.3m tons, and so relied on propaganda to sell it as a success to the people.
E Overall, Fascist economic policies were not successful enough to bolster the regime on their own. However, when combined with propaganda, they were very effectively used to gain public support and helped to keep Mussolini in power. Therefore, it was their propaganda value, rather than the economic policies themselves that helped the Fascists stay in power.
