Mussolini's Consolodation of Power

Question 1

How effectively did Mussolini consolodate his political power in Italy?

Answer 1

Although Mussolini was now the Prime Minister of Italy his hold on power was not very secure. He was one of only four fascists in the government.

Exam Board Specification: Acerbo law, Matteotti murder, Aventine Succession, restrictions on power of the King, Fascist Grand Council, Lateran Accords and Propaganda

Question 2

Political Control

Answer 2

• Ban on political meetings outside of the fascist party so other parties were not able to meet so there was no organised political opposition (OVRA couldn’t stop all the meetings)
• Fascist Grand Council to unit and control the Ras so there was no opposition to Mussolini within the party

Question 3

Relationship to the Church

Answer 3

Lateran Accords in 1929 - the Church endorsed Mussolini as the majority of people were Catholic this increased support of Mussolini and the fascist party

Question 4

Role of Repression

Answer 4

• Around 400 people were killed for political reasons by the state which would have scared people into obeying the state as they did not wish to be killed
• Censorship controlled what people saw/heard which stopped any opposition from spreading their views so opposition support was very limited thus meaning there was little threat to fascist power
• OVRA (secret Police) carried out hundred of arrests per week and had a vast network of informants so people would be wary of speaking out against the fascists as they would not know who to trust and who was an informant

Question 5

Role of Propaganda

Answer 5

• Radio has two hours per day of official broadcasts and the use of the radio increased to one million listeners in 1938 so the fascist message was spread to a vast number of people due to all schools and community areas having a radio (was not effective until Mussolini increased the production of radios)
• Newspapers such as “Il Popolo d’Italia” spread the fascist message and certain topics (disasters, crime, disorder and unemployment) were forbidden. Any one who didn’t support the fascists were sacked and the newspapers were attacked (not effective for some groups due to high illiteracy rates)