Mussolini and the Economy Flashcards
What were Mussolini’s main aims with the Economy?
- He wanted to gain big business support to consolidate his power between 1922-25
- Privatising industry to achieve Autarky, e.g telephone industry
- laissez-faire approach, minimal gov interference with economy
What is Protectionism?
- A policy of shielding countries domestic industries from foreign competition
- Agricultural farmers did not like this as it cut their income
Who was appointed Minister of Finance at first and why?
- Alberto De’Stefani
- A Conservative who was also Pro-Business
Did Protectionism affect all industries?
No
- Exports of goods such as cars and textiles doubled in 1922-25
Why was De’Stefani replaced and why?
1925 - Volpi
- Poor Harvest in 1924 led to lira going down in value and spiking inflation
What was the Corporate State?
- A third way between Capitalism and Communism
- Workers, Employers and Fascist Officials would discuss industrial relations and productivity problems
How many Corporations would the Corporate State accumulate by 1934?
22 mixed corporations
What was the Palazzo Vidoni Pact and when was it signed?
2nd October 1925
- Only Confindustria and Fascist Trade Unions were allowed to negotiate problems and issues on behalf of everyone
What happened to non-Fascist Trade Unions?
- They were dissolved after 1926
What was Syndicalism and who was a notable Syndicalist?
- A movement for ownership and means of production and distribution to be handed to the workers
- Edmondo Rossoni
How were Syndicalists and TU’s dealt with?
- 1928, TU’s broken down into 6 smaller federations
- Edmondo Rossoni’s followers were also removed
What was the Ministry of Corporations?
Set up in 1926
- Was meant to oversee labour relations
- Giuseppe Bottai was the Minister of Corporations from 1929-32
What did the Rocco Law do and when was it signed?
April 1926
- Banned Lockouts and Strikes
- Teachers, Police and Civil Servants banned from TU’s
What was the Charter of Labour and when was it signed?
1927
- Ensured workers rights
- To allow workers to change working hours
- To negotiate terms with employers
Why did the Charter of Labour have no real effect?
- Employers retained right to change working hours without lengthy consultations
- They were not obliged to give annual holidays