Mussolini and the Fascist State Flashcards
Ideology of Fascism - Characteristics
Form of right wing ideology
Celebrates the nation or the state as organic community
State or nation transcends all other loyalties (eg. Family)
Sometimes considered the third option or third way – reaction to Bolshevism and war
Extremely nationalistic and militaristic
Powerful and continuing nationalism encouraged
Class distinction and rivalry downplayed – nation more important than class
Appeals to upper and middle class – based on protection of wealth and private property
Anti-liberal and anti-democratic
Promotes strong leader – authoritarianism – government control is permanent
Makes use of symbols (faces, phoenix, etc) patriotic mottos, songs
Do not have clear doctrinal base – often populist in appeal
Fears individualism as promoted by democracy
Conditions
within Italian
State Political Challenges
Political Challenges
Italy young state only recently united in 1871
Although constitutional monarchy with parliament lacked strong parliamentary tradition
Proportional representation allowed for small parties to have own representation
Party system fragmented – many small political parties represented personal interests
Meant no single party really commanded majority – had to rely on coalition govt’s
These coalitions would frequently break apart when issues arose – gaps in issues and areas
Many also did not trust Italian politics – a lot of corruption plagued state
For years many Italians could not vote or chose to abstain (see Catholic Church)
Universal suffrage a relatively recent phenomenon
In times of trouble and chaos governments appeared incapable of handling
Industrialists, capitalists and nationalists felt isolated from parties
Social and
Economic
Challenges
PreWar
In some ways two Italy’s existed – legal and real Italy
Legal Italy was King, Parliament and tiny elite (north central ruling class)
Liberal government that took control over state after unification (not supported)
Real Italy – Mass of peasant population and small growing industrial working class
Northern Italy – Industrial Middle Class Base - but still behind economically
Southern Italy – Agricultural, Peasant Class Base
Recurrent peasant discontent in the South and failure of government to deal
Corrupt control over government by ruling elite only made matters worse
Church which was very influential resented Liberal reform and government
Refused to engage within the political sphere for years
See issues of education and marriage, property and legal privileges
Italy Impact from Great War
Many Italians resented government for dragging the nation into the Great War
Hoped to have gained from involvement – land in African (Empire) and nationalism
Heavy losses at battles like Caporetto and almost being forced out was blamed on government
Government blamed for inability to gain much in post war world from Treaties
Other individuals like Nationalists blamed losses on Socialists (those who did not support war)
Socialists believed this was a capitalist war or war to benefit the wealthy few
See Gabriele D’Anunzio (Italian Nationalist) who attempted to capture Fiume
Conditions within Italian State
1919 - 1921 Economic Challenges
Economic Challenges
Country spent vast amount of war – had to borrow
from Allies (repay)
Decrease in GDP meant imported more than
exported
Faced slow down in production – rise in
unemployment and less spending
Decline in tourism and travel – hurt the Italian
economy
Cost of living increased but wages did not keep pace
(inflation)
Lack of savings for peasants and workers
Soldiers failed to find employment in post war world
Conditions within Italian State
1919 - 1921
Social Challenges
Soldiers faced challenges integrating back into society – inclined to join paramilitary groups
Countryside rich landlords faced houses burned and livestock slaughtered – confiscation
Peasants promised land reform and recently required some land – but not all did
Middle and Upper classes angered at National embarrassment from Treaty decisions
In cities industrial workers went on strike and workers seized factories
Strike and riots common – break down of social order seen….
Belief and thoughts of socialist takeover common (see spread of Bolshevism)
Bienno Rosso – The Red Years….
Benito Mussolini
Background
Born in 1883 in Northern Italy – father was socialist blacksmith mother was teacher
At school was kicked out for threatening students
Was a socialist like his father in youth and early adulthood – encouraged strikes and unions
Was editor of Avanti – Socialist Newspaper – and member of Italian Socialist Party
Anti monarchy, anti clerical, anti imperialism, called for class struggle and revolution – but switched
Departed from Socialists over Italy’s involvement in war – believed they needed to fight
March 1919 gathered group of ex-Socialists and former armed service men
Formed Italian Fascist Party in 1919 with Fasce as symbol
Initially tried to appeal to all segments of population – populist in appeal (socialism and fascism)
Promised improved working conditions – 8 hours day, pension, end to class privilege
But also appealed to capitalists – nationalist, removal of communists, and protection of business
Also appealed to Middle Class – make Italy great again and to Farmers who recently acquired land
Decline of socialists
Socialists largest group within Parliament at the time but:
Not willing to pursue path of Revolution
Lacked real leadership for the movement
Party torn between bullet and ballot (violence or moderation)
Would ultimately choose reform as their path
Too many groups unwilling to support – see recent landowners
They would face fear, intimidation, and violence from squadristi
Rise of Italian Fascists
1919 - 1922
Appeal of Fascism (Growth of Party)
Appealed to many groups because it did not have clearly defined doctrine
Mussolini and Squadristi or Black Shirts represented law and order (Red Years)
People turned to more extreme solutions because of economic problems
Both socialists and fascists gained – but former were less popular with peasants who had land
Weak government was easy prey to fascists – promised national prestige and make nation great
Fascists gave members sense of identity – Black shirts appealed to soldiers
Black shirts intimidated opponents and scared others to support
Police and army did not suppress violence – needed to use to suppress socialists
By 1921 election Fascists captured 37 seats and party continued to grow
Gradually the Church also supported the Fascists – promised to protect
1922 – Believing he had enough support Mussolini attempts coup – March on Rome
Fearful King – Emmanuel III invited Mussolini to form Government
Consolidation of Power
1922 – 1926 (to end)
Creation of Single Party State
By 1923 Mussolini was Prime Minister of Italy – able to appoint individuals to cabinet
Took Control over the Interior, Foreign Ministries and Police
1924 – Acerbo Law – party with greatest support gets 2/3 seats in parliament
Mussolini has elections rigged and able to gain support within Chamber
1924 – Removes Matteotti – leader of opposition (Socialist) – mysteriously died (low point)
Took responsibility and brought Squadristi under control – began to remove other parties
1924 – 1926 – took over media and papers – censored what was said
1925 became Head of Government – only responsible to King (not parliament – Chamber)
1926 – Decree on Public Security – gave him power to remove those deemed threat
1926 – Established Law for Defence of State – took over police, courts, military
1926 – Established the OVRA – secret police (spy, detain, etc those who were threats)
Totalitarian State
1926 - 1938 economic control
Economic Control
Aims and Objectives included:
Economic Modernization
Economic Self-Sufficiency
Deal with Lack of Resources
Mussolini abandoned lassez faire policies in favour of government
intervention
Free trade replaced by protection and tariff control (promote local
industries)
Began series of battles to help economic recovery – lira, grain, land
reclamation, etc
Created Syndicate State – brining together capitalists, workers and
state – eliminate issues (corporates – cooperation not competition)
Created different corporations to oversee various areas – banking,
transport, agriculture, etc
Increased public works projects (help with unemployment) and
government spending
Totalitarian State
1926 - 1939
Social Policies
Social Policies
A. The Youth
Indoctrination of youth common – present image of youthful virility with state
Equally wanted to train youth to be part of military
ONB – Youth Movement – founded in 1926 (all other youth movements dissolved)
ONB fell within Ministry of Education – indoctrination through curriculum
Ideology was to pervade all areas of curriculum – all teachers fascists
Youth to take part in physical activity and to pledge loyalty to state
B. Adults/Males
Dopolavoro (organization) organized sports, outings to theatres, concerts
Membership to organization grew over the years – most towns possessed one
They would have their own club with bar, library, radio and cinema
C. Women
Women’s place within the home and main role child bearing in Fascist state
1927 – Battle of Birth – promoted having children and raising these within state
Imposed tax on bachelors but gave loans to those married and with more children
Day of Mother and Child created – ceremonial award given to women with children
Efforts made to exclude women from work and school – state employment
Little room for women within Fascist party as well
Contraception, sterilization and abortion all banned from state
Totalitarian State
1926 - 1939 cultural polices
Cultural Policies
To sustain popularity and control regime relied heavily on propaganda
Ministry of Press and Propaganda created – control and disseminate thought
Cult of Leader – Il Duce (the leader) – created through speeches, parades, images and films
Seen as strong, decisive man, a man of action, a new Caesar (see desire to create New Rome)
Slogans like “Mussolini is always right” were common or “believe, obey, fight”
Education and curriculum adapted and changed to show Mussolini as hero, fascism as only way
New holidays introduced and new exhibitions mounted – speeches, parades, ceremonies
Signed the Lateran Accord with Church – recognized the Vatican, Catholicism, religious
education
In return church recognized Italian state
