Intro To Fascist Economy Flashcards
Neither BM or any of the F hierarchy were economists- what did this mean?
That his promises were based on broad generalisations that contained little substance
What did BM tell the senate in 1923?
“My ambition is this: to make the people of Italy strong, prosperous and free.”
What oblique reference to the connection between the economy and the need to impose a F dictatorship, was made by BM?
“There’s freedom in times of prosperity which is not the freedom to be allowed in times of poverty”
What did the F regime inherit?
The financial problems of the liberals
- very limited raw materials
- tradition of close industry-banks-state links
- limited literacy
Italy’s involvement in WW1 created problems that still persisted in 1922…
- unemployment
- financial difficulties
- shortages
What was Italy’s industry like in comparison to the rest of Europe?
It was proceeding at a slower pace
What problems still remained in the south?
Backwardness and poverty
What did Italy have?
A rising population
What was the total population in 1911 and 1931?
1911- 35M
1931- 40M
What was the total population in Rome in 1900 and 1950?
- 1900: 450k
- 1950: 1.7M
What were BM’s twin aims?
To make Italy autarkic and develop the economy along lines that would allow it, in the long run, to:
1) achieve its full military potential
2) engage in a war of colonial conquest
Aims
- to consolidate the pol system
- to make Italy economically self sufficient
- to provide the economic base for military might
Key economic periods:
1) 1922 onwards
- economic recovery in Italy
- BM coming into office with no specific programme pursued traditional lib economic policies of lowering inflation, and limited govt intervention
Key economic period:
2) 1927 onwards
- economy begins to weaken
- some of the pain is self inflicted due to the overvaluation of the lira
Key economic period:
3) 1929 onwards
- hit by Great Depression
- BM responds with growing govt intervention to bail out industrialists
- efforts are made to establish the distinctly F CS.
Key economic period:
4)1936 onwards
The economy is increasingly harmed by the stress on AUTARKY and the needs of war
Why did the economy improve in the early years of Fascism?
- a general European economic recovery
- laissez-faire policies favouring industry
- the ending of the Socialist revolution, Enugu increased the confidence of the economic elite
- the weakening of TUs
BM knew that the economy was significant for his longer term ambitions. What was his main issue?
Should he continue with these policies or follow the radical Fs who wanted a major reorganisation of the economy, along syndicalist lines?
