Fascist Economic Policies Flashcards
What Battle took place in 1925?
Battle of the Grain - make Italy self-sufficient
Effects of the Battle for Grain
Wheat production increased by more than 50%
Price of Italian wheat rose higher than that on the world markets
Industrial firms who produced machinery and chemical fertilisers were boosted
Livestock fell by 500,000
Little agricultural modernisation in the South
Not self sufficient - 1933 = 500 million tonnes still imported
What battle was launched in 1926?
Battle for the Lire
Effects of the Battle for the Lire
Decreased exports because everything was expensive for foreign buyers
Finance minister wanted £1= 120 lire but Mussolini decided on £1 = 90 lire
1929 crash = Italy only just recovering from Battle
What battle happened in 1928?
Battle of the Land - Create new land for wheat production, drain marshlands to conquer malaria and create showpieces for fascist architecture
Effects of the Battle for Land
Propaganda success
Pontina was built near Rome and it dazzled foreign visitors
Only 58% of reclamation projects and 1/3 irrigation schemes completed
What happened to Italian industry in 1929?
Became self-sufficient in chemicals and steel production was up 2,212,000 tonnes (982,000 tonnes in 1922)
What was introduced in the 1930s?
Public work schemes e.g. motorways
What was set up in 1933 and what did it do?
IRI and it took control of banks shares in industry so the state became a major stakeholder in Italian companies
Controlled 75% pig iron production, 45% steel production and 20% industry
What was set up in July 1926?
Ministry of corporations - organise disputes
What was published in 1927?
Charter of labour - “Magna Carta of Fascism”
What was set up in March 1930?
National Council of Corporations BUT didn’t actually meet until 1937
Effects of depression
By 1931, three major banks had collapsed
Value of Italian stocks and shares declined to 35%
1931-32 - manufacturing declined by 14%
Unemployment rose to 2 million
