o Relationship with political and economic interests Flashcards
Key factors when assessing the nature and importance of Mussolini with the economic and political elite of Italy?
The monarchy and conservative elites
Central and local government
PNF and nationalists
Economic interest groups
Assess the nature and importance of Mussolini with the economic and political elite of Italy? (Monarchy and conservative elites)
Until September 1943, Italy remained a constitutional monarchy, so M had a complex dictatorship.
M came to a compromise with the monarchy and agreed to work with the King - shared power with the monarchy - in order to ensure he remained in power, however as the dictatorship became stronger, M slowly eroded some of the power held by the King.
December 1928, the Fascist Grand Council had been granted the constitutional right to limit Kings power to nominate future PMs and advise him on any future succession, which humiliated him, and further lost his power in March 1938 when was made the First Marshal of the Empire joined with Mussolini and June 1940 when Italy entered WW2 King was replaced by Mussolini for role of supreme military commander.
King was still the sole head of state with the power to remove Mussolini anytime.
King made little effort to prevent Italy’s constitution falling apart. He wasn’t willing to challenge M as he didn’t try to prevent implementation of racist and anti-Semitic decrees.
By 1938 Italian Lawyers were calling for a new constitution that reflected the realities of the fascist state.
Mussolini = willing to work with existing conservative elites, army, judiciary and civil service to cement his power as dictator. Note that he left running of armed forces to generals/ admirals (under-secretaries). Also changed little in government administration as conservative elites were able to maintain their influential positions in the political system.
M created new positions of power called podestas which was how conservative elite retained power and influence, older R/C also able to find position within fascism ie) aristocrats or former generals.
Was a crucial relationship for M as it enabled a greater acceptance of his dictatorship.
Assessing the nature and importance of Mussolini with the economic and political elite of Italy? (Central and local government)
-Laws of December 1925 changed structure of the gov. as M became head of gov. so was now only responsible to King not parliament. He was the only one able to initiate legislation.
-May 1928 parliament would choose 400/1000 deputies for the Fascist Grand Council.
-December 1928 role of Grand Council formalised as most vital legal body in state. All matters = to be approved by them. This actually had little influence as M retained power and didn’t allow them any say on matters like entering ww2 in 1940, or the accommodation another word for winning them over with the Catholic Church in 1928. M had central powers.
Assessing the nature and importance of Mussolini with the economic and political elite of Italy? (PNF and Nationalists)
M was able to minimise his party’s power through:
- 1935 appointment of extremist Roberto Farinacci - purged those who opposed Mussolini’s political direction against socialists, catholics and members of the PPI.
However was dismissed quickly and replaced by Turati - mass expulsions of older, more hard-line fascist took place, with 50,000-60,000 members thrown out by 1929, 110,000 leaving voluntarily.
Turati’s successor Giurati, oversaw the purge of another 120,000 members.
Replaced by 800,000 new fascists (workers in public service and local government) - mainly joined because of employment opportunities rather than the fascist revolution - had no interest in challenging M’s position.
17 June 1924 - Luigi Federzoni appointed minister of the interior - important move during the Matteotti crisis.
ANI’s conversion with the fascist party - posed no threat to Mussolini unlike prominent member of the PNF.
Late 1930s Mussolini’s policies became more radical, nationalists ideas took on greater prominence.
Assessing the nature and importance of Mussolini with the economic and political elite of Italy? (Economic interest groups)
M inherited difficult economic situation in 1922.
1st economic policy aimed at placating the large economic industries such as Fiat and Pirelli.
Economic interests of small businesses were also protected through licensing systems (protected against larger supermarkets)
Fascist syndicalists (no class conflict between the workers trade unions and employers) - wanted support of working classes.
Palazzo Vidoni Pact - only representative body for Italian workers - all other institutions were now irrelevant.
they urged employers and employees to work together in a new order of cooperation putting an end to industrial unrest and class conflicts.
April 1926 Rocco laws - allowed syndicates some rights of representation and for compulsory arbitration of disputes concerning workers’ pay.
Richer industrial and agricultural interest groups were the main benefactors of fascist economic policies - however for labourers wages reduced below cost of living, little benefit for peasants and small landowners.
