The Fascist Political System (1926-43) (Complete) Flashcards
What was Mussolini like in the Fascist political system?
-Not prepared to share power
-Rejected pressure from radicals who wanted to control all aspects
-Was willing to allow all traditional elites (armed forces/civil services/church/industrialists) to retain some influence in exchange for support
-Wielded enormous power but his gov= never efficient
What was the opposition/lack of to the Fascist political system like?
-Relatively little opposition until entered WW2 in 1940
-Debate over whether genuine enthusiasm for fascism or resigned, passive acceptance
When did Mussolini become a dictator?
1926
How were laws made in Mussolini’s dictatorship and why?
-By simple decrees
-Parliament no longer forum for debate
Why was Mussolini able to maintain his dictatorship?
-Liberals/Popolari divided + leaderless & socialists under constant physical attack; no organised opposition
-Technically could be dismissed by king but Matteotti + March on Rome showed little risk of that & w/ king in fear unlikely armed forces would rebel (loyal to monarch)
How did Mussolini aim to increase his personal power in his dictatorship?
-Cult of personality encouraged his own genius, power & indispensability
-Sought constructive working relationship w/ powerful interest groups
-Prioritised pursuit of personal power over desire to impose fascist ideas on all areas of life
How was it shown that Mussolini alone possessed power?
-He still talked of revolution but saw party as servant, not master; so their hopes for revolution were irrelevant
-Old institutions of gov, interest groups & fascists competed against each other for authority but turned to him for final decisions
-W/out him, nothing could function
What was the role of the King with Mussolini and the government?
-Monarch traditionally only involved in foreign affairs
-King overawed by Mussolini & he used this to deter political involvement
-Visited king x2 a week but never asked for advice + only told him what he wanted to hear
What was the role of government ministers with Mussolini and the government?
-No shared power + no cabinet based gov
-Simply followed his instruction
-He had monopolised 3 main sectors for himself; foreign affairs/master of interior/three armed services
What was the role of parliament with Mussolini and the government?
-1926; lost ability to discuss policy, debate, propose legislation & criticise gov
-Chamber filled w/ sycophantic fascist deputies
-Free elections ceased to exist
-Electorate reduced to exclude most of working classes
-All candidates had to be chosen by fascists + results shamelessly rigged to show 98+% approval for regime
-Jan 1939; parliament abolished itself altogether, replaced by equally meaningless Chamber of Fasces & Corporations
How did Mussolini gain the support of/control institutions of the Italian state?
-Didn’t want to provoke head on clash but needed to gain control
-A wholesale sacking would’ve a lot of much control due to massive clash
-He wanted to restrict his party & keep it under his whole command
-Conservatives (prominent in state institutions) largely sympathetic towards him
-Capitalised on this sympathy via patronage; rewarding loyalty & introducing policies that would benefit them
-He made clear if he wasn’t supported/obeyed = would be harsh consequences
How did fascist membership grow in the civil service and why?
-1927; only 15% fascist, but loyal & unquestioning
-1930s; this grew (mostly as PNF membership = promotion within service)
How did Mussolini gain the support of the armed forces?
-Emphasised he & military had similar mission of expanding armed forces/pursuing aggressive foreign policy
-Promoted generals to field marshals (very popular move)
-Pro-fascist attitude + party membership= promotion
-Still remained loyal even though resented militia
What was the judiciary like under fascism?
-Dozens of judges purged for being too unsympathetic of fascism/too independent from gov
-Lost all claim to impartiality & imprisonment w/out trial became commonplace
-Even when cases came to court, he’d often intervene & dictate verdicts + sentences
What were local governments like under fascism?
-Local self gov abolished & mayors replaced by official Podestas from Rome
-Power built up via self interest & avoiding unnecessary conflict; varying from tactics of aggression to conciliation
How did Mussolini appease the Church?
-Wooed Vatican before he became PM & shared common enemies in socialism & Catholicism
-1929 Lateran Agreements consolidated their relationship & healed divides since unification
How did Mussolini appease industrialists?
-Vidoni Palace Pact (1925) outlawed all socialist/catholic trade unions
-1926; strikes outlawed
-1927; workers’ charter
-Early concessions= key
What did Mussolini do in the political system as prime minister?
-Militia= paid employment for squadristi; continued loyalty
-Grand Council= supreme policy making body + he appointed all members
-Punished opponents= 1923; all local parties purged of dissidents
What did Mussolini do at his final party congress in July 1925 once becoming dictator?
-Demanded internal arguments should end & obey his orders; dissenting voices shut down
-Meant to last 3 days, only last a few hours
What was happening in the political system in 1928?
-Further purges + established principle that all gov posts should be made from Rome
-Grand Council met less & less
Why was the PNF not united?
-Squadristi; wanted continued raids
-Ex-socialists; wanted re-organisation of industry
-Nationalists; wanted revision of WW1 peace settlements
-Conservatives; wanted return to law/order
-Only Mussolini could provide unity, the factions fought for his attention/support
What are examples of Mussolini giving senior posts to those who flattered him and not due to skill?
-Under Starace, party secretary 1931-39; opened doors to secure jobs in fascist administration
-The working class that had once been 30% PNF members now overtaken by white collar employees
-Promotion of second rate officials showed his susceptibility to flattery & concern with potential rivals
-Balbo; sent to occupy post in Libya
-Grandi; sent to be Italian ambassador in London
-Farinacci; kept his post as provincial leader, as long as he didn’t challenge Mussolini
Relations between party and state; what was the relation with the PNF like?
-PNF largely irrelevant & base for secure undemanding jobs
-Hoped they’d help fascistise so gave roles in education, leisure & propaganda
-PNF therefore= rival to state institutions; tensions
What were other relations between party and state like?
-ONB -> state vs. gov
-Gov economics ministry vs. bureaucracy supporting fascist corporations
-Militia vs. army= esp. claim blackshirts of equal status & over distribution of weapons
-Provinces=local party secretaries vs. provincial prefects (interior gave power to them as they could be responsible for local gov)
