Italy. Unit 2: Establishment and Consolidation of the Fascist State, 1925-1939

Question 1

Who was Galeazzo Ciano?

Answer 1

Son in law of Mussolini. Minister for Press and Propaganda from ‘35 to ‘36 and Minister for Foreign Affairs from ‘36 to ‘43. Voted in favour of dismissal Mussolini. Killed in 1944.

Question 2

What was MinCulPop?

Answer 2

The Fascist Ministry of Popular Culture (renamed from the Ministry of Press and Propaganda in 1937)

Question 3

What was L’Unione Cinematografica Educativa? (LUCE)

Answer 3

Founded in 1924, LUCE was tasked with the production and distribution of pro Fascist films and documentaries intended for being screened in cinemas.

Question 4

By 1927, what percentage of the Italian Civil Service was made up with Fascists?

Answer 4

27%

Question 5

Who was Luigi Federzoni?

Answer 5

Italian Nationalist who became Minister for the Colonies in Mussolini’s 1922 cabinet. Minister of the Interior between 1924 and 1926. Voted in favour of dismissal of Mussolini. (Can be used as evidence that Mussolini worked with the more conservative elites).

Question 6

Who was Augusto Turati?

Answer 6

Between 1926 and 1930, he was secretary of the PNF. He opened membership to a wider audience. ‘Purges’ most radical elements from the party.

Question 7

Who was Dino Grandi?

Answer 7

One of 35 Fascist deputies elected to Chamber of Deputies in 1921. Participated in the March on Rome. Ambassador to the UK. Minister of Justice. Made the proposal to dismiss Mussolini in 1943.

Question 8

What was the Vidoni Palace Pact?

Answer 8

Pact to end the 1925 strikes. It confirmed that Confindustria and the Confederation of Fascist Syndicates were the only organizations allowed to represent employers and employees. (Rest was abolished).

Question 9

What was the Ministry of Cooperations?

Answer 9

Ministry created in 1926. Run by Giuseppe Bottai to coordinate the work of the main cooperations (made up of representatives of employers and workers from the same industry).

Question 10

How did the March 1929 elections work?

Answer 10

The Fascist Grand Council drafted a list of 400 people on which was presented as a yes or no referendum to the Italian electorate.

Question 11

What was the National Council of Cooperations?

Answer 11

Created in 1930, the NCC represented the (initially) 7 largest cooperations. (Created after the abolition of the Confederation of Fascist Syndicates).

Question 12

What was the ‘Battle over the Southern Problem’?

Answer 12

Campaign started in 1924. Goal was to overcome issue of Southern poverty through the creation of new villages. In the end, none were build.

Question 13

What was the ‘Battle over Grain’?

Answer 13

Campaign started in 1925. Part of the program to work towards Autarky: increase wheat production, limit imports, increase available land. Battle doubled the production of grains, but led to the need to import other agricultural produce (such as olive oil).

Question 14

What was the ‘Battle for Land’?

Answer 14

Campaign started in 1926. Goal was to drain swamps in order to support the Battle over Grain (and reduce Malaria). Only Pontine Marshes were drained.

Question 15

What was the ‘Battle for the Lira’?

Answer 15

Campaign started in 1926 to revaluate the Lira. This made the Lira more expensive which was good for imports but bad for exports.

Question 16

What was the Institute of Industrial Reconstruction?

Answer 16

The IRI was created in 1933 in response to the great depression where it took over unprofitable industries. By 1939 it controlled the Iron, Steel and Electricity industry.

Question 17

What was l’inquadramento?

Answer 17

The Fascist goal to integrate and incorporate everyone in the Fascist state.

Question 18

What was the ‘Battle for Births’?

Answer 18

Campaign started in 1927 to increase the birthrate. Included maternity benefits, prizes for mothers with many children, taxation policy which encourages large families (6+ kids = no more taxes). But after 1931 also laws against abortion, divorce and same sex relationships. (Failed: birthrates dropped).

Question 19

What was the ‘Lateran Treaty’?

Answer 19

1929 treaty between the Vatican and Italian state. Effective mutual recognition. + payment of 1750 million Lira, recognition that Catholicism is Italy’s state religion and compulsory Catholic religious education.

Question 20

What was the Opera Nazionale Balilla?

Answer 20

The ONB was founded in 1926 and was the Fascist youth movement for children up to the age of 18.

Question 21

What was the Gioventu Italiana del Littorio?

Answer 21

The GIL was created in 1937 after a merge of the ONB and the Fascist Levy. Membership was compulsory but roughly 40% avoided membership.

Question 22

What was Dopolavoro?

Answer 22

Platform for after work activities created in 1925. Around 40% of industrial workers became members. (Focus on sports, party welfare agencies).

Question 23

What was the Romanita movement?

Answer 23

Ideal of returning Italy to its Roman Greatness.

Question 24

What was the Charter of Race?

Answer 24

Charter introduced in 1938 which excluded Jewish teachers and students. Stated that Jews and non Jews could no longer marry. Jews could no longer own large companies. (Possibly adopted to appease Hitler).

Question 25

What was Ducismo?

Answer 25

The cult of the Duce (leader): Mussolini. ‘Mussolini ha sempre ragione’. Slogans, radio, cinema, newspapers. etc.