Mussolini Consolidates Power

Question 1

Establishing a Dictatorship

Answer 1

1. 1923 Acerbo Law - the party that gained the greatest number of votes in the election would get two-thirds of the seats.
2. In the election Mussolini used violence to make sure he won.
3. The Fascists murdered Matteoti the Socialist Party leader
4. Opposition withdraw from parliament.
5. Mussolini established ‘rule by decree’ which allowed him to make laws without going through parliament.
6. All other political parties were banned.
7. The press and radio were censored.
8. The secret police (established 1926) – the OVRA were used to crush opposition.
9. Mussolini was called Il Duce and a cult of personality developed around him -photographed in heroic poses.

Question 2

Propaganda

Answer 2

1. Propaganda played an important role in Mussolini’s Italy. He used press, radio and cinema to glorify Fascist successes and the Fascists used slogans to communicate their ideas.
2. Fascist education - The education system and youth organisations used to indoctrinate or brainwash young boys and girls. Textbooks were changed to glorify Mussolini and fascism and teachers were vetted. Young people had to join Fascist youth organisations like the Ballila.
3. Mussolini called ‘IL DUCE’.
4. Cult of Leadership.
5. Wanted to be the ‘New Caesar’.
6. Huge Rallies.
7. Strict Press Censorship.

Question 3

The Corporate State

Answer 3

1. Goal was to eliminate struggle between employers and workers.
2. All were to work for common good
3. Trade Unions banned.
4. Strikes forbidden.
5. Every profession and industry had its own corporate body (corporation).
6. Problems to be solved by negotiation.
7. In reality fascists were in control and issued orders to negotiating sides.
8. Wages fell.
9. Living standards remained low.

Question 4

Relations with the Catholic Church

Answer 4

1. Ongoing dispute over confiscation of Church lands during unification of Italy.
2. The Catholic Church welcomed Mussolini as a safeguard against communism.
3. Religious instruction was allowed in primary schools.
4. In 1923 the government rescued the Catholic Bank of Rome from financial difficulties.
5. Mussolini had a Catholic marriage and baptised his children in 1925.
   6 Obscene publications and swearing in public were banned.
6. Contraception and abortion banned.
7. 1925 - Pope Pius XI withdrew support from the Catholic Popular Party.

Question 5

Economic Policies

Answer 5

1. Mussolini improved the main road system by building autostrada (motorways).
2. Mussolini reclaimed the Pontine Marshes near Rome, which provided more land and helped to prevent malaria.
3. Mussolini promoted the ‘Battle for Grain’ - doubled grain production.
4. He promoted the ‘Battle for Births’ to increase the Italian population.

Question 6

Lateran Treaty 1929

Answer 6

1. The treaty restored the pope’s control over the Vatican City.
2. In return, the Church gave formal recognition to the kingdom of Italy and the pope relinquished all claims to any other Italian territory.
3. Mussolini paid 750m lira to as compensation for loss of territory.
4. Catholicism became the state religion.
5. Clergy could not belong to a political party.
6. Divorce banned.