M4- Impact of the Second World War 1940-43 (Mussolini's deposition)

Question 1

what were the reasons for growing Italian discontent at home?

Answer 1

rationing
food and clothing shortages
Allied bombings
poor performance by Italian troops

Question 2

when and where were the first ever strikes under the Fascist regime in Italy?

Answer 2

5 March 1943
in Turin

Question 3

how many Italians went on strike in Turin?

Answer 3

100,000 workers

Question 4

what did they strike for?

Answer 4

demanded better pay for those forced to evacuate from their homes

Question 5

what was the government’s response to the strikes?

Answer 5

they increased the money for evacuees

Question 6

what was significant about the March 1943 strikes?

Answer 6

they showed the political weakness of the Fascist regime in preventing industrial action

showed Mussolini that communism and socialism still existed in Fascist society despite 20 years of rule

Question 7

what were the anti-fascist groups which emerged during WW2?

Answer 7

Party of Action
Christian Democrats

Question 8

what group did members of Catholic Action set up?

Answer 8

the Christian Democrats

they were anti-fascist

Question 9

what was the RCC’s view on the Christian Democrats?

Answer 9

they backed them in 1942

Question 10

how many political arrests did the OVRA make between March and June 1943?

Answer 10

1400

Question 11

when did the socialists, communists and catholics agree to work against fascism?

Answer 11

April 1943

Question 12

how had the stance of the conservative elite towards Mussolini during the war change?

Answer 12

they began to look for ways to depose him

they also wanted to find a way to get Italy out of the war

Question 13

when did the allies invade Sicily?

Answer 13

9 July 1943

Question 14

did the allies face much resistance in Sicliy?

Answer 14

very little resistance

Question 15

when was the allied bombing of Rome?

Answer 15

19 July 1943
lasted 2 hours

Question 16

how many Italians were killed in the July bombing of Rome?

Answer 16

1500

Question 17

when had the allies taken full control of Sicily?

Answer 17

17 August 1943

Question 18

what was significant about the allied invasion of Sicily?

Answer 18

an allied invasion of Italy was now imminent

greater pressure on Mussolini

Question 19

why was it important that Mussolini was deposed?

Answer 19

the US had agreed to a peace deal as long as Mussolini was no longer head of state

Question 20

which leading fascists pushed for the dismissal of Mussolini?

Answer 20

Grandi
Ciano

Question 21

why couldnt the fascists depose of Mussolini themselves?

Answer 21

only the King had the power to dismiss Mussolini

so they had to get the support of the King first

Question 22

when was the Grand Council convened?

Answer 22

24 July 1943

Question 23

what was the result of the vote against Mussolini?

Answer 23

19-7

Question 24

what was Mussolini’s reaction to the vote?

Answer 24

he went to the King and ordered the arrest of all the opposing fascists and a new government

Question 25

what did the King do to Mussolini?

Answer 25

called him ‘the most hated man in Italy’

ordered Mussolini’s arrest

Question 26

what was significant about Mussolini’s arrest?

Answer 26

it was the end of the fascist regime

there was no public outcry or protests against Mussolini’s arrest

leading fascists began to ingratiate themselves with the new PM

Mussolini was simply replaced…no outrage

Question 27

who replaced Mussolini as PM?

Answer 27

Badoglio

Question 28

what was the sole aim for Badoglio?

Answer 28

to end the war