Mussolini: Consolidation and Maintenance of power Flashcards
How did control over local and central gov’ help establish a dictatorship? [4]
- Increased control meant that M had power and influence in all cities, all in command were loyal to F regime.
- Central M could better establish F policies and consolidate power.
How did the support from the Catholic church help consolidate Mussolini’s power? [3]
- He made decisions to appeal to the Church such as renouncing atheism, making religious ed compulsory.
- M sacked PPI ministers from the gov’, and Pope Pius forced the PPI leader to resign. Meant that conservative catholics no longer supported the PPI.
- Catholic church was highly wealthy and influential, and their support for the Fascists.
How did control over the press help establish a dictatorship? [3]
- Anti-Fascist newspapers closed down, gov’ had to approve all articles.
- Journalists had to register with F party (Dec 1925)
- This restricted the information available to the public, and prevented criticism of M and the gov’.
How did creating a one party state establish a dictatorship? [3]
- 1926: all other political parties banned + trade unions.
- Changes to the electoral system 1928: Fascists only party. Voters could choose from a list made by the Fascist Grand Council, intimidated with violence.
- One party state meant that F party did not have to deal with political opp, and that they remained in power could not be voted out.
How did Mussolini consolidate his power within the Fascist party? [4]
- Restriction of influence of the party: retaining existing members of the civil service, police & army who were traditional conservative elites.
- More millitant fascists were ousted by the secretary in 1927 & replaced by white collar employees.
- Historian R Thurlow, Fascist party divided and disunified into fractions—the ras, the ‘left’, & ‘revolutionists’. M played fractions off against each other increase personal power.
- F party did not have much influence in gov’ and were not a threat to M’s power. Party gradually weakened turned into tame and loyal support base, servant of the state.
What was the effect of violence in Mussolini’s dictatorship? [2]
- Increased violence was intimidating, atmosphere of fear, prevent rebellion.
- Assuming responsibility made M more respected & feared.
How did Mussolini use violence in his dictatorship?
- Farinacci, party secretary launched campaign of squadristi violence in 1925, against political opp.
- M assumed indirect responsibility for Matteotti’s murder, saying he would continue to use force to rule.
What was the Matteotti crisis?
A socialist leader who had publicly criticised the fascist violence and corruption during the 1924 election w evidence was abducted and murdered by Dumini’s thugs.
How did the Matteotti crisis consolidate Mussolini’s power? [2]
- Caused public outrage and revulsion towards Fascists. M was forced to arrest Dumini and distance himself from involvement in the incident.
- After further evidence and critique, & concessions from M, senior Fascist leaders made M take a harder line otherwise they would overthrow and replace him.
What did Mussolini do to take better control of local and central government? [2]
- Elected mayors and councils of towns and cities replaced with appointed F officials, “pedestal”, conservative landowning elites.
- M made himself head of central government, holding 8 ministerial posts. Gave himself power to issue decrees without parliamentary approval.
How did Mussolini appease industrialists and weaken workers’ rights and unions? [2]
- Vidoni Palace Pact of 1925 said that workers could not challenge the authority of employers
- Trade unions were closed down and replaced with Fascist Syndicates.
What was the message of Mussolini’s propaganda? [4]
- Support the Fascist gov’
- Respect him as the wise Duce
- Work hard, be strong and warlike.
- Take pride in Italy
How was propaganda used in the press? [3]
- Many newspapers conformed through fear of the consequences of criticism. Hostile journalists arrested or replaced.
- Fascist party never owned more than 10% of papers in circulation.
- Reporting on crime, disasters, and disorders was forbidden.
How was propaganda used in the radio? [3]
- From 24 onwards, the network was state run.
- Few had private radios (expensive) - 1M in 38, so most people listened in public.
- Mussolini had major speeches broadcast live.
How was propaganda used in the film industry? [4]
- Gov more concerned with commercial success than propaganda role of films.
- in 1938, 3/4 of ticket sales were for US films.
- gov agency LUCE created in 24 to produce documentaries and newsreels called cinegiornali.
- Cinemas had to show cinegiornali before films which included news, sports, positive stories, items on Duce.
How was propaganda used in sport? [3]
- A means to socialise people and help discipline - encouraged as a spectacle and participation.
- Many new stadiums built - impress the masses
- Success used to increase national pride.
What suggested that Mussolini had power in his relationship with the King?
- King signed most of Mussolini’s decrees, including giving more power to Fascist Grand Council.
- King reluctantly signed anti-Semitic decrees.
What suggested that the King had power in his relationship with Mussolini?
- He did oppose some of his decrees including having fasces on the flag.
- By 1930 the king had all but retired from public affairs, practically abdicated except in name.
How did Mussolini repress the population?
- Censorship, controls to internal migration, political prisoners.
- OVRA, secret police used a network of informants and agents. Hundreds of arrests and detentions weekly. Spread distrust and suspicion > disunity.
What are some examples of opposition to Mussolini? [3]
- Rosselli brothers spread propaganda and helped opponents into exile. During the Spanish Civil war, Carlo organised an anti-Fascist crusade involving 30 000 Italians in Spain.
- Most communist leaders arrested in 1926, but the paper Unita survived illegally. During the 30s support grew.
Why was there so little effective opposition in Fascist Italy? [3]
- Absence of organisations - disunity of opponents.
- Effective policing, informants and strong punishments
- Resistance seemed pointless - Fascism careful not to alienate vested interests; eg. workers had safeguards.
How did the Fascist party take greater control of the school system? [3]
- All teachers’ associations merged into a Fascist Association 1931
- Teachers had to take indoctrination courses to get a promotion.
- Less control in higher levels of education; Uni + secondary teachers not committed to the Fascists, courses added rather than reorganisation of the curriculum.
How did Fascist control in schools attempt to indoctrinate young people? [4]
- 1928 the libra unico introduced as a single school textbook for all subjects.
- RE made compulsory in elementary schools ‘23
- Cult of Mussolini: portrait of Duce in all classrooms.
- ‘29 Bottai’s School Charter tried to establish Fascist pedagogy to create young Fascists, eg. manual work became part of curriculum.
What were the Fascist youth movements, and what did they do? [3]
- The main youth organisation, the ONB (aka Balilla) was run by the Education Ministry from 1929.
- They organised sports, military drills, propaganda lectures, and tried to insulate Fascist values into youth.
- Girls also attended but did sewing, child care, doll drills.
What evidence suggests that Fascism did not capture the hearts and minds of the young?
- Support for Mussolini disappeared rapidly after Mussolini was overthrown in 43
- Poor membership to organisations. Close ties to schools meant that girls and lower classes could easily escape the ONB.
- Growing number of reports of dissatisfaction in youth from the police late 30s.
