The Fascist State 1925-40 Flashcards
1
Q
who was M’s main obstacle to power at this point
A
- the King
2
Q
in _ _, all other political parties were banned
A
- in Nov 1926, all other political parties were banned
3
Q
_ Italians were sent to Confino, _ were arrested for anti-fascist activities
A
- 10,000 Italians were sent to Confino, hundreds were arrested for anti-fascist activities - was little serious opposition
4
Q
when was the ONB formed
A
- April 1926
5
Q
outline the girls’ organizations under the ONB young girls’ organization
A
- Daughters of the She Wolf: for girls aged 6-8yrs
- Little Italians: 8-13yrs
- Young Italian Women: 14-17yrs
- many activities were based on becoming good mothers + physical fitness
6
Q
what was the OND
A
- OND provided workers with social + sporting opportunities - e.g. cycling groups, plays
- OND membership gave workers discounted rail tickets + subsidized holidays
- was subtle propaganda - was ideologically free but gained M support + prestige
7
Q
there were increased _ for newspapers that said positive things about _
A
- there were increased subsidies for newspapers that said positive things about M
7
Q
by _, the OND had over _ members
A
- by 1939, the OND had over 4m members
7
Q
by _, there were over _ registered radio sets
A
- by 1938, there were over 1m registered radio sets
7
Q
_ newspapers only accounted for _% of the entire newspaper sales in Italy
A
- fascist newspapers only accounted for 10% of the entire newspaper sales in Italy
7
Q
to spread the idea of the Cult of il Duce, _ photos of M was circulated
A
- to spread the idea of the Cult of il Duce, 30 million photos of M was circulated
7
Q
what was the Fascist slogan
A
- “Mussolini is always right”
7
Q
when was the National Institute of Fascist Culture created + what was it
A
- created in 1926
- encouraged mass participation in Fascist culture
7
Q
what were films like in Fascist Italy + an example
A
- films were made to glorify Fascism
- e.g. The Siege of Alcazar
8
Q
after _, the PNF was used as …
A
- after 1926, the PNF was used as an instrument for M rather than a functioning party for the betterment of Italy
8
Q
in _, only _% of judges were members of the PNF but was made compulsory in _
A
- in 1927, only 15% of judges were members of the PNF but was made compulsory in 1935
8
Q
what was the Gov like under M
A
- was centralized by 1925
- M was head of foreign affairs, minister for interior + armed forces - he didn’t want to share power
- no elections - all ministers appointed by M
- local Govts replaced by Podesta (authoritarian figures loyal to M)
- PLT lost the ability to debate + discuss policy - only M could
- free elections ceased to exist
8
Q
when + what was the Vidoni Pact
A
- made in 1925
- socialist TUs + strikes were outlawed
- Fascists were the only representative body for workers
8
Q
outline the revaluation of the Lira/ Battle for Lira
A
- the ‘Battle for Lira’ was launched in Aug 1926
- it aimed to revalue the Lira after it’s value had fallen against the British pound
- by 1927, the Lira was artificially fixed at 19 to 1 American dollar
8
Q
outline the Corporate State
A
- set up in 1926
- was an economic policy to avoid industrial disputes + boost output
- corporations would be established in every sector of industry, which would rule it
- strikes, go-slows + lock-outs were still banned
- wasn’t successful for the economy but was good propaganda
8
Q
outline M’s quest for autarky
A
- began in 1925
- M aimed to make Italy self sufficient
- was driven by decline in overseas trade, econ sanctions placed on Italy due to actions in Africa, prep for war
- developed synthetic substitutes - e.g. lanital instead of wool
8
Q
why was radio an effective instrument of indoctrination
A
- people didn’t have to be literate to access the content
8
Q
what was the EUR
A
- the EUR was the largest building project under M
- was in Rome, consisted of apartments, monuments etc
8
Q
after establishing the dictatorship in __, _ as a means of control decreased
A
- after establishing the dictatorship in Jan 1925, violence as a means of control decreased
8
was the Gov under M efficient
- no
- in promoting those loyal to M, the quality of those in Gov were poor
8
unemployment tripled between _-_
- unemployment tripled between 1926-28
9
outline the Battle for the Grain
- from 1925
- aimed to make Italy self-sufficient in grain
- as Italy had to make large imports of grain to feed people which would be a weakness in the case of a war
10
what did Salandra do in Dec 1924
- Salandra had declared his opposition to M who became worried that S could influence the King
- S + his group of Libs were on the brink of leaving the coalition, which could influence others
10
what did M do on the 12 Jan 1925 to consolidate his power
- M formed a new cabinet
- M took on the role of PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, War, Navy and Aviation
10
in _ _, M met with _ leaders who demanded...
- in Dec 1924, M met with squad leaders who demanded he defend the Fascist revolution + clamp down on opposition or they would remove him as leader of the PNF
10
when + how did M announce his Fascist dictatorship
- Jan 3rd 1925
- M made a speech to PLT announcing the est of a fascist dictatorship - a personal rule under M (who blamed opposition for the breakdown of democracy)
11
what did M do on the 2 Oct 1925 to consolidate his power
- M announced the Vidoni Pact - est the Fascist unions as the only union for Italy's workers
11
what did M do in Feb 1925 to consolidate his power
- appointed Farinacci as the PNF secretary to get rid of Radical PNF members
- diluted squad powers
11
what did M do in Oct 1925 to consolidate his power
- the Fascist Grand Council approved a motion for the Ras to disband any squads - the power of the Ras + Squads was no more
- M gained military support for dictatorship by increasing pay
11
what were 2 laws put in place in Aug 1925
- press law that meant all journalism had to be approved by the state
- new law giving state the power to sack any employee whose actions went against the PNF
12
in _ _, M granted the ability to ____
- in Jan 1926, M granted the ability to rule by decree
13
when + why was Mussolini's fascist dictatorship fully established
- 31st Oct 1926 after another failed assassination attempt against M
- opposition leaders fled into exile
- local govts were abolished - replaced by Podesta
- prefects were made more powerful than the Ras
14
when were all opposition groups + trade unions banned
- December 1925
- this was extended to ALL political parties in 1926
15
what was Confino
- where potentially dangerous anti-fascists were exiled
- it was financially devastating for those sent away
- their families faced discrimination,
- it was difficult to reintegrate back into society after
16
outline OVRA
- formed in 1927 by Bocchini to spy on Italians
- there were about 5,000 informers
- OVRA infiltrated universities, businesses, Italian's mail + phone calls
16
the regime carried out only _ death sentences pre WW2
- the regime carried out only 9 death sentences pre WW2 - showed little serious opposition
17
name some changes made in education
- a painting of M was put in every classroom
- history textbooks were replaced with ones glorifying Italy
- all teachers had to be part of the PNF by 1933
18
what was the ONB + the boys program
- it was an organization that aimed to physically + morally benefit youth
- the boys’ program was for 8-18yrs and was largely centered around physical fitness + producing young Fascist soldiers
19
outline tasks boys and girls did in their youth programs under the ONB
- girls did gymnastics to ensure they'd be healthy + fit mothers
- children were taught about 'great heroes of Italy' such as M
- they were taught about the poor treatment of WW1 soldiers + how fascism saved Italy from communism
19
name failures of the ONB
- youth participation was motivated by fun social occasions, not fascist belief
- was a divide between north + south and boy + girls participation - most southerners + girls weren't likely to be in education post 11yrs
19
what was the fascist view of universities form a propaganda standpoint
- indoctrination of university students were less of a priority as the govt believed their indoctrination would have worked already
- however, students were still expected to join University fascist Youth
19
the number of uni students rose from _ in _ to _ in _
- the number of uni students rose from 54,000 in 1921 to 165,000 in 1942
20
only _ of _ uni students refused to join the PNF/ swear allegiance
- only 11 of 1,250 uni students refused to join the PNF/ swear allegiance
21
when was the OND set up
- set up in 1925
22
M's fascist paper _ had a circulation of around _, whereas the non-Fascist paper, '__' had a circulation of _
- M's fascist paper 'Popolo d'Italia' had a circulation of around 100,000, whereas the non-Fascist paper, 'La Stampa' had a circulation of 560,000
23
outline press censorship under M
- laws restricting freedom of press were passed in 1926
- Govt had the power to confiscate editions + shut down press that was deemed anti-fascist
24
journalists weren't allowed to publish work on ___ etc so not to stain Italy's image of no social issues
- journalists weren't allowed to publish work on crime, suicide etc so not to stain Italy's image of no social issues
25
what did fascist propaganda aim to do
- aimed to unify Italians with a shared patriotic feeling that celebrated Italy's history
25
outline the Cult of il duce
- an image that was spread through posters, in cinemas, news, radio etc which portrayed M as a leader of immense ability who was leading Italy to greatness
- M was made to be a dynamic leader, sportsman, swimmer, attractive + a family man
26
outline a success + failure of the cult of il duce
- S: created the idea that M stood above the PNF party - he was a leader of Italy
- F: it focused on 1 leader, rather than an ideology that could continue after M died - difficult for Fascism to survive
26
outline the Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution
- held in 1932 to celebrate 10 years of Fascist rule
- artists created artwork representing this achievement
26
name an example of Fascist theatre
- Giuseppe Forzano produced 3 plays providing the story of 3 great patriotic leaders who were linked to M
27
how did M deal with the King
- M slowly reduced the Ks power; K Victor Emmanuel III allowed his erosion of power as long as he was kept as King
- allowed K to remain head of state with the power to remove M
- M was willing to keep the K as long as it suited him
- K wasn't a great supporter of fascism but wasn't willing to oppose it - e.g. didn't get rid of anti-Semitic decrees in 1938
28
name an example of M reducing the Kings power + its significance
- in June 1940, M took complete control of the military - which used to be in the King's control
- this was significant as it encouraged the armed forces + state administration to accept the fascist dictatorship
29
what happened to the Fascist Grand Council in 1928
- the FGC was formalized in Dec 1928 as the most important legal body in the state
- all major matters now had to be discussed + approved by the FGC
- in reality it had little influence - M still retained the power to appoint top PNF leaders + set laws
30
how did M treat conservative elites
- M wanted to work with CEs (the army + civil service) to cement + retain his power
- M allowed the military to run independently (+ they swore loyalty)
- promoted senior generals to the high post of 'field marshal'
- most civil servants kept their jobs
- M used civil servant's sympathy by rewarding loyalty + introducing Conservative policies
- M's approach resulted in greater acceptance of M's dictatorship, strengthening his position
31
membership of the PNF increased in the 1930s, due to the realization that ...
- membership of the PNF increased in the 1930s, due to the realization that promotion of conservative elites depended on being a card-carrying supporter of the regime
32
how did M treat the judiciary
- M purged 'undesirable elements', anti-fascist judges were replaced with fascist ones - judiciary was no longer impartial
- imprisonment w/o trial become more common
- M handling of the judiciary ensured his control of future opposition
33
how did M treat local governments
- local govts were put under the control of the conservative elites
- locals self-govt + elected majors were abolished and replaced by officials appointed from Rome
- Prefects remained as governors of states, they organized police + censored press + were appointed by M
- local councils were run by the Podesta who carried out Ms political polices
34
what are the 4 main ways M cemented his power
- minimized the power of his own party
- purged party with those who disagreed with M
- removed men of power from the party/ potential rivals
- compromised with different groups in party
35
by _, M had purged _ members of the PNF and _ left voluntarily
- by 1929, M had purged 50-60,000 members of the PNF and 110,000 left voluntarily
36
what was Ms knowledge of the economy like
- M was not an economist + had little interest/ understanding in economics
36
how did M treat the PNF
- M minimized the power of his own political party; the PNF served the Duce
- 1925: Farinacci purged the party who disagreed with M
- 1929: purged 60,000 members
- men of drive + ambition were removed from power - e.g. Italo Balbo
37
outline the 4 different groups within the PNF party
the PNF was a collection of groups with different views and priorities:
- squads: demanded continuation of violent raids
- ex-socialists: wanted reorganization of industry
- nationalists: wanted change to the WW1 peace settlement
- conservatives: wanted restorations of law and order
- M united them
38
what are the 3 ways to measure the success of M's economic policies
1) how far they helped him achieve his wider aims
2) his policies' impact on the Italian economy + Italian people/ standard of living
3) how far M's policies helped Italy cope with the economic pressures created by external events
39
what was the goal of M's early economic policies
- to win over the powerful industrial Italian elite
40
outline some of M's early economic policies
- appointed De'Stefani as Minister of Finance
- privatising industries - e.g. telephone sector
- reduced Govt spending
- Vidoni Pact 1925
41
exports, particularly that of cars, textiles + agricultural products doubled between __-__
- exports, particularly that of cars, textiles + agricultural products doubled between 1922-25
41
what are 4 criteria for measuring success of economic policies
- increased M's control
- increased M's prestige
- improved the economy
- improved lives of Italian people
42
was the revaluation of the Lira/ Battle for Lira a success
- the revaluation was for propaganda purposes - to make the Italian econ seem strong, boost Italian prestige + pride
- it actually crippled Italian exports for foreign buyers as they were nearly twice as expensive
- this exemplified how M's economic policies had shifted to representing his power rather than the actual economic needs of the Italian people
43
as a result of the revaluation of the Lira, Italian exports industries, like _, went into depression - unemployment trebled between __-__
- as a result of the revaluation of the Lira, Italian exports industries, like textiles, went into depression - unemployment trebled between 1926-28
44
what was the charter in the corporate state
- in 1927, the 'Charter of Labour' was drawn up
- it guaranteed workers' rights in employment, social insurance and welfare
45
name 2 failures of the corporate state
- The Charter was never followed through
- it was propaganda - workers were represented by Fascist officials who supported business owner's interests
46
what are 2 successes of the corporate state
- damaging industrial disputes were mainly avoided, this limited effects of the depression
- increased M's prestige; M had 'solved class conflict'
47
how did M respond to the Great Depression
- public work schemes: road building, house construction to keep employment levels stable
- Govt funding for road building: doubled between 1929-33
- welfare increased: to ease those unemployed
- wages were cut + companies merged
- institutions were set up: IMI, IRI
48
what were the institutions set up to help with the Great Depression
- IMI: protected Italian businesses against collapse with loans from banks
- IRI: prevented banks + private comapnies from collapsing with loans
49
outline the successes of autarky
- agricultural products like cereals + wool were stockpiled to boost reserves meaning supply + prices were stable
- autarky goods were cheaper than those from abroad
50
outline the failures of autarky
- Govt spending on autarky measures doubled from 30 billion to 60 billion lire in 1934-38
- industries like textiles suffered as they weren't prioritised
- Italy didnt become self-sufficient
51
what was the Battle for Births
- announced in May 1927
- aimed to increase the Italian population form 40 million to 60 million by the 1950s
- a larger population would make italy stronger economically
- M hoped to improve relations with the Catholic Church as the family is at the heart of Catholic values
- a variety of laws were put in place
52
what are some of the laws put in place for the Battle of Births
- married men with 6 or more children paid no tax
- contraception + abortion were banned
- medals for women with large numbers of children
- employment made more available to married men with children
- loans to married couples - not paid back if they have 6 children
52
was ruralisation successful
- no, only 5% of southern land was reclaimed for farm use
- but, the drained marshes reduced malaria by 50%
53
was the Battle for Births successful
- no
- marriage rates stagnated + birth rate declined until 1936
53
in the late 30s, the birth rate of _ births per 1000 was lower than the _ BR of _ per 1000
- in the late 30s, the birth rate of 102 births per 1000 was lower than the 1911 BR of 147 per 1000
53
outline ruralisation
- a policy announced in May 1927
- aimed to retain Italy's peasant population to maintain tradition + increase birth rate
- peasants were encouraged to stay in rural areas + land was reclaimed for farmland
54
outline 2 successes of the Battle for Grain
- wheat production inc by 50% 1914-38
- foreign imports of grain reduced by 75%
54
what was implemented in the Battle for Grain
- educated farmers on new growing techniques + provided fertilisers
- press photographers were always there to picture M visiting farms + helping with harvests
54
outline 2 failures of the Battle for Grain
- by the late 1930s, families were paying 400 Lire extra in food costs in comparison to 1920s + living standards were declining
- by 1933, Italy was still dependent on imports
55
welfare spending increased; spending went from _% to _% between _-_
- welfare spending increased; spending went from 7% to 20% between 1930-40
56
how many corporations were made in the corporate state policy
- 22
57
due to the Battle for _, Wheat production increased by _%
- due to the Battle for Grain, Wheat production increased by 50%
58
how did the Church respond to M's attempt to close Catholic Action in 1931
- the Pope issues 'Non Abbiamo Bisogna' + condemned M's attempt to steal children from Christ
59
what did the Church criticise about Fascist youth groups
- the Church was against the involvement of girls in physical activities in Fascist youth organisations as it went against their ideas of gender roles
60
outline M's approach to religion as PM
- originally, M was anti-clerical but by the time M was PM, he realized that having a good relationship with the Church would strengthen Fascism
- e.g. M reintroduced Religious Education to schools + restored crucifixes to public buildings
- the PNF's Catholic support undermined the PPI as they lacked the Pope's support (the pope ordered the PPI leader Sturzo to resign in 1923)
60
name an example of M integrating religion in his own life
- M baptized his 3 children in the Catholic Church and married his wife in a Church ceremony
61
outline the key areas of the Lateran Pacts
- Vatican city est as an independent state + Catholicism was the sole R of Italy
- The Church would receive 1.75 Bn Lire in state bonds
- Church + state would remain separate; Catholic Action was the only recognised non-fascist organisation
- the state would pay salaries of the clergy + no divorces without churches consent
- this pact settled the Roman Question
61
in _, M tried to close __, leading to the public criticisation of M by the Pope - but an agreement was formed
- in 1931, M tried to close Catholic Action, leading to the public criticisation of M by the Pope - but an agreement was formed
62
what was Radio Vatican
- Catholics resisted Fascisms totalitarian claims to control every aspect of life
- RV broadcasted alternative news + info
63
when was the Lateran Pacts signed
- 11th Feb 1929
- signed by Mussolini + the Catholic Church
63
were the Lateran Pacts successful
yes:
- it solved issues between the Church + State/ the Roman Question
- Catholic Ch liked it as it extended their influence into Italian life
- M had boosted his prestige in Italy
- led to a religious revival as numbers of catholic marriages + schools increased
- BUT; showed the limits of M's dictatorship
64
outline 3 examples of disagreements between Mussolini and the Church
- Catholic organisations such as Catholic Action provided a rival to Fascisms own organisations - e.g. CA had 250,000 members
- the Church criticised the F idea of being completely loyal to the state - left no room for religion
- Pope was openly critical of M's antisemitic decrees in 1938
65
outline Ms attempt to close Catholic Action
- in 1931, M attempted to close down Catholic Action
- led to the Pope publicly criticising M; 'We Have No Need' (the Pope's condemnation of Fascist attempts to cut out religion)
- although a compromise was reached - CA groups could stay open as long as they didn't organise sport - both sides were less trusting after
65
what is an example of M's antisemitic decrees
- by 1938, Fascists prohibited marriage between Jews + Italians
- this went against Catholic Churches right to allow Jews to convert to Catholicism
65
outline 3 examples of agreements between Mussolini and the Church
- the Lateran Pacts benefitted both sides (M's inc prestige, extended Catholic influence)
- the Church supported M's invasion of Abyssinia in 1935
- the Ch openly endorsed Fascism - e.g. promised it would utilise F support in a plebiscite called by M in 1929
66
outline the weakness of the fascist state/ Mussolini in terms of Religion
- loss of power over part of Rome
- it isnt the only influence + ideology for Italians
- M has to compromise with Catholic Ch - it limits F
- 1938: relationship declines w/ Church
66
outline the strengths of the fascist state/ Mussolini in terms of Religion
- support from the Church removes them as political opponent
- the Lateran Pacts increase M's prestige
66
PNF membership of _ _ became compulsory in _
- PNF membership of civil service became compulsory in 1935
67
in _ _, Parliament was abolished + replaced by the ______
- in Jan 1939, Parliament was abolished + replaced by the Chamber of Fasces and Corporations
67
who controlled censorship
- by 1935, the Ministry of Propaganda controlled censorship, was renamed the Ministry of Popular Culture in 1937
68
how many people were sentenced to death + significance
- 49 - but only 9 carried out
- shows the successful suppression of opposition - didn't have to resort to extreme methods
- people were more so indoctrinated + supportive of Fascist regime
69
_ people were sent to Confino
- 10,000 people were sent to Confino
70
in which years did Italy win the football World Cup
- 1934
- 1938
71
what is a criticism of film as a medium of indoctrination/ propaganda
- film/ cinema didn't reach/ have an effect on many people in rural Southern Italy
72
the PPI disintegrated in _ when the Pope withdrew support + _ had resigned (in _)
- the PPI disintegrated in 1925 when the Pope withdrew support + Sturzo had resigned (in 1923)
