Fascist Italy

Question 1

Describe Mussolini before 1918

Answer 1

Comes from a socialist background
Maximalist in the PSI
Led a riot against war in Libya
Editor of Avanti!
Rejected egalitarianism (social equality) which is a key socialist belief
Criticised the socialists in WW1 and was expulsed from the party

Question 2

What was the ONB (Balilla)?

Answer 2

Youth group set up in April ‘26
Aimed to physically train boys, prepare girls for childbirth, and teach them to be loyal and love Mussolini
Many only joined so that they could get jobs in the future or so they could play sports and have fun etc.

Question 3

What was economics like from 1922-1925?

Answer 3

Mussolini had no economic plan when he came to power.
De Stefani persued laissez-faire (leave it alone)

Question 4

What was the March on Rome?

Answer 4

27/10/1922 - Squadristi occupy government offices and prime minister (Facta) asks the King to declare a state of emergency but he didn’t so Facta reisgned
28/10/1922 - 50,000 people participate in the March on Rome. Many men were armed with frozen fish and there was a singular machine gun attached to a car
29/10/1922 - King offers Mussolini Prime Minister.
30/10/1922 - Mussolini appointed PM

Question 5

Why did the King give in to Mussolini?

Answer 5

Feared he didn’t have the support of the army - Could turn into a civil war and communist uprising.
Scared that his cousin, Duke of Aosta, who was a clear fascist would try to take the throne.

Question 6

What was the Aventine secession?

Answer 6

100 anti-fascist deputies left parliament saying it was unconstitutional (because of the Matteotti Affair) and created a new parliament. There being 100 les anti-fascist politicians in parliament made it easier for Mussolini to pass laws without opposition.
No one respected the new parliament because it wasn’t what they knew and it was hampered by ideological differences of the politicians from liberals to communists.

Question 7

What was the dual strategy?

Answer 7

The fasci di combattimento set up uin March 1919 wanted to gain power politically and violently. This was Mussolini’s idea and it wasn’t support by other fascists like Balbo who didn’t want to gain power politically.

Question 8

What was the Matteotti Affair?

Answer 8

Matteotti a socialist made a speech in parliament denouncing Mussolini and his party, he listed his crimes against democracy He ended his speech saying: ‘Kill me but not the ideas within me … My speech is ended. Now prepare your speech for my funeral’
Less than a month later he was kidnapped and murdered by 3 fascists. Mussolini wasn’t directly implicated but was accused by the opposition for engineering the crime.
After his death many fascists left the party and some demanded Mussolini’s resignation. He made a speech in January ‘25 where he took responsibility for the political situation allowing his death but not for his death.
This was the most unstable part of Mussolini’s dictatorship (until WW2) and getting out of it on top shows his political ability.

Question 9

What was the Acerbo Law?

Answer 9

2/3 of the parliamentary seats would go to the party that won more than 25% of the vote
April ‘24 election (fascists get 374 MPs)

Question 10

When was Mussolini’s dictatorship established?

Answer 10

1925 - he formed a new cabinet without most of the liberals

Question 11

What was the OND?

Answer 11

Provided workers with social and sporting opportunities. It also gave subsidised holidays and excursions.
It was very popular but not because everyone who joined was fascist it was because they could gain benefits.

Question 12

How did Mussolini control the press and use censorship?

Answer 12

Prefects could confiscate editions of newspapers if they were unfavourable to the fascist regime.
They could shut down newspapers (Avanti!)
Mussolini’s press officer set guidlines on how Mussolini should be presented
Increased subsidies given to newspapers that were positive about Mussolini

Question 13

How did Mussolini use propoganda?

Answer 13

Focused on ideas that would bring Italians together - creating more patriotism
Used imagery of the Roman Empire and Italian history (medieval buildings destroyed so roman ruins were easier to see
Mussolini claimed to be the heir to Augustus and was rebuilding Italy to its former greatness
Never used mass media particularly well (especially in the South where there was a lack of technology
Won the ‘34 and ‘38 world cups - showing Italian strength

Question 14

What was the cult of Il Duce?

Answer 14

Mussolini protrayed as immensly able and leading Italy to greatness
fascist slogan: ‘Mussolini is always right’
He was often pictured shirtless (sex appeal), but also as a family man (catholic appeal)
He was always seen as being the sole leader
His personal popularity always outweighed fascist popularity
It could be argued that from 1935 Mussolini started to believe the propaganda and become more aggressive.

Question 15

What was Mussolini’s first cabinet like?

Answer 15

Only had 4 fascists

Question 16

How did Mussolini deal with internal fascist problems?

Answer 16

Made Farinacci party secretary to give him a good enough jo sop he doesn’t threaten Mussolini
De Vecchi made governor of Italian Somaliland to get him out of mainland Italy

Question 17

How did Mussolini deal with the Monarchy?

Answer 17

He was prepared to work with him to remain in power. As his control over Italy grew he slowly removed some of the King’s powers.
December 1928 - Fascist Grand Council can limit the monarch’s power to decide the future prime ministers
In general, the King was scared to challenge Mussolini so he could essentially get away with what he wanted

Question 18

How did Mussolini deal with the conservative elites?

Answer 18

The judiciary largely remained independant - many judges still joined the PNF to ensure they kept their jobs
Many civil servants were kept.

Question 19

What was the corporate state?

Answer 19

The idea that bosses and workers collaberate.
They’re would be meetings about pay and conditions where the employee and employer would discuss with a fascist mediator
It gave the idea that it was fair for the workers, but the fascists would often side with the employers

Question 20

How did Mussolini respond to the Great Depression?

Answer 20

Workers’ wages cut 12%, encouraged price fixing and cartelisation (big businesses taking over small ones)
Employment encouraged through large-scale public works (road and house building, electrification of railway)
IMI policy meant banks were protected from collapse.
IRI policy meant the government bought shares in companies so they wouldn’t go bankrupt. They were to be sold back when the company was running comfortably

Question 21

Why did Mussolini pursue autarky?

Answer 21

Overvalued Lire and depression meant a decline in trade
Sanctions in 1936 for militarism in Africa, Preparation for war
General fascist idea that the country is the best and can fend for itself
Did produce all of its wheat but had to import the fertiliser
Spending on aurtarky - 1934 - 30 billion, 1938 - 60 billion

Question 22

What was Mussolini’s relationship with the church?

Answer 22

Latern Pact 1929 with Pope Pius XI
Solved the Roman question (Vatican City established)
given 750 million Lire and 1,000 million in state bonds as compensation for lost territories
Catholicism recognised as state religion and taught in schools
Catholic youth groups could continue to operate
Didn’t give Mussolini anything tangible but the support of the church meant the support of many Italian catholics

Question 23

Why were there tensions with the Church and Mussolini in the 1930s?

Answer 23

Didn’t support the anti-Semitic decrees and many pastors would hide Jews to protect them

Question 24

What was the battle for births?

Answer 24

Announced May 1927, aimed to encourage Italians to have large families so there would be a population of at least 60million by 1960. Mussolini believed that the population of 40million and its low birth rate was detrimental as it couldn’t compete with larger armies of Russia and Germany. It would also help economically as it would create more competition for jobs which meant wages could be reduced.
Tax reductions and loans provided to large families. Prizes were given to large families. Bachelor’s tax introduced so single men had to pay more to encourage them to settle down. Fathers were given better job opportunities.
All birth control banned. and women couldn’t work in industry.

Question 25

What was the battle for grain?

Answer 25

Agricultural policy linked to autarky and aimed to make Italy self-sufficient in grain. Announced 1925 as a response to the high grain imports. Propaganda campaign wanted Italy to be ‘free from foreign bread’.
Mussolini also wanted to keep the population agrarian and launched an ‘empty the cities’ scheme in 1928 to prevent migration. Land reclamation and improvement scheme launched. Marsh draining projects, irrigation, road and house building and aqueduct construction carried out to help the peasants. Pontine Marshes outside Rome drained, helped prevent spread disease and allowed fertile land for farmers

Question 26

Describe Mussolini’s antisemitic decrees.

Answer 26

Anti-Jewish policy began in 1937 and before that there had been no antisemitism within Italian fascism. This was because of a very small Jewish population (45,000). There is no evidence that Hitler influenced the decrees but it is likely that he influenced them.
Many Italians disliked these policies and a lot of Catholic clergy hid Jews and helped them escape. These decrees were a part of the decline of Mussolini’s popularity.

Question 27

Were Mussolini’s economic policies successful?

Answer 27

Most of the policies didn’t achieve their goal..
The schemes did mean that the Italian state owned more industry than every other country in Europe except the USSR.
The industrial development in 1939 was significantly higher than it was in 1922.

Question 28

What was the Battle for the Lira?

Answer 28

Mussolini overvalued the Lira compared to the Pound and it caused mass inflation and hampered Italian exports.

Question 29

What were Mussolini’s aims for foreign policy?

Answer 29

His actions tended to be erratic and not planned.
He mainly wanted to maximize his prestige and assert Italy’s position as a great power.
He wanted to take control over disputed areas (Fiume),
He wanted to take control of the Mediterranean,

Question 30

What was the Corfu incident?

Answer 30

Some Italians killed in Corfu, Italy sent in their army and Greece was forced to pay to remove the Italian soldiers
Success - meant Italy was gaining in foreign affairs.
Failure - removal of soldiers may show weakness.

Question 31

How did Mussolini deal with Fiume?

Answer 31

Negotiated with Yugoslavia to take the free city in 1924. Showed that fascism wasn’t totally aggressive and that Mussolini could be worked with.

Question 32

How did Mussolini extend Italian influence?

Answer 32

Helping King Zog take over Albania, turning the country into an Italian protectorate, helped spread Italian influence in the Balkans.
Took full control of Libya om a horrific but effective way.

Question 33

What were Italian relations with France like?

Answer 33

Problems as many Italian anti-fascists moved to France, and the Italian secret police operated in France.
Italy and France had nearby colonies (Tunisia - Libya) and both wanted to control the Mediterranean

Question 34

What were Italian relations with Britain like?

Answer 34

Problems over control of the Mediterranean
Italy was a part of the financial world controlled by Britain and USA

Question 35

What were Italian relations with Germany like?

Answer 35

Concerns over the Anchluss, Mussolini stopped it in 1934.
Concerned about Hitlers growing power and wanting to control Europe.

Question 36

What was the Stressa Front?

Answer 36

Agreement between Britain, France and Italy to help protect them against Germany, didn’t work as French people didn’t want to help Italy after their battle in Ethiopia and Pierre Laval was forced to resign.

Question 37

What were the reasons for the invasion of Abyssinia?

Answer 37

1935 Italy attempted to colonise Abyssinia.
This helped the economy as war related contracts get money.
Linked to the idea of autarky, Abyssinia had a lot of natural resources.
Hoped the Southern peasants would move to Africa, easing the need for land reform in the South.
Would show of Italy’s power.
Revenged the defeat at Adwa in 1896.

Question 38

What happened in the invasion of Abyssinia and what were the consequences?

Answer 38

Brutal tactics like in Libya, mass bombings, gassings etc.
League of Nations placed little sanctions on them.
Gold for Patria campaign launched were the queen presented her wedding ring to be melted down to help the campaign against the sanctions.
Lira devalued by 40%.
Budget deficit increased from 2.5 billion to 16 billion Lira
Caused the end of the Stressa Front and Italy began to turn to Hitler.

Question 39

How did Italy get involved in the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 39

Mussolini sent around 50,000 soldiers, artillery and tanks, planes and bombers to Spain.
High Italian casualties (3,250 killed).
Led to sever disruption to the Italian economy, cost around 14 billion lira.
The intervention not popular amongst Italians as there was no clear benefit.
Italian troops humiliated at the Battle of Guadalajara (1937), beaten by untrained, poorly equipped, volunteer forces, some being Italian anti-fascists.

Question 40

What was the Pact of Steel?

Answer 40

Agreement between Germany and Italy to support one-another.

Question 41

Why was Italy neutral at the start of WW2?

Answer 41

They were waiting to see if Germany would win before they got involved - they had to get involved somewhat to be present at the peace conference as a belligerent.

Question 42

Describe Italian domestic tensions in the late ’30s.

Answer 42

Growing opposition to Mussolini.
Quest for autarky increased product costs.
Military spending was 80% of all government expenses and the increasing taxes on the middle classes meant there was growing problems in the middle stratum.
Transfer of Italian workers to Germany was opposed as they were treated as second-class to the Germans.
Antisemitic decrees were generally disliked.
Antifascist politics were not increasing and this didn’t really disrupt the government and was rather and underlying issue.