The Fascist State 1925-40 Flashcards

1
Q

who was M’s main obstacle to power at this point

A
  • the King
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2
Q

in __, all other political parties were banned

A
  • in Nov 1926, all other political parties were banned
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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
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4
Q

when was the ONB formed

A
  • April 1926
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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
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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
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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
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7
Q

by _, the OND had over _ members

A
  • by 1939, the OND had over 4m members
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7
Q

by _, there were over _ registered radio sets

A
  • by 1938, there were over 1m registered radio sets
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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
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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
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7
Q

what was the Fascist slogan

A
  • “Mussolini is always right”
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7
Q

when was the National Institute of Fascist Culture created + what was it

A
  • created in 1926
  • encouraged mass participation in Fascist culture
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7
Q

what were films like in Fascist Italy + an example

A
  • films were made to glorify Fascism
  • e.g. The Siege of Alcazar
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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8
Q

outline M’s 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
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8
Q

why was radio an effective instrument of indoctrination

A
  • people didn’t have to be literate to access the content
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8
Q

what was the EUR

A
  • the EUR was the largest building project under M
  • was in Rome, consisted of apartments, monuments etc
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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
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8
Q

was the Gov under M efficient

A
  • no
  • in promoting those loyal to M, the quality of those in Gov were poor
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8
Q

unemployment tripled between -

A
  • unemployment tripled between 1926-28
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9
Q

outline the Battle for the Grain

A
  • 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
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10
Q

what did Salandra do in Dec 1924

A
  • 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
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10
Q

what did M do on the 12 Jan 1925 to consolidate his power

A
  • M formed a new cabinet
  • M took on the role of PM, Minister of Foreign Affairs, War, Navy and Aviation
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10
Q

in _ _, M met with _ leaders who demanded…

A
  • 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
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10
Q

when + how did M announce his Fascist dictatorship

A
  • Jan 3rd 1925
  • M made a speech to PLT announcing the est of a fascist dictatorship - a personal rule under M (who had taken responsibility + blamed opposition for the breakdown of democracy)
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11
Q

what did M do on the 2 Oct 1925 to consolidate his power

A
  • M announced the Vidoni Pact - est the Fascist unions as the sole of Italy’s workers
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11
Q

what did M do in Feb 1925 to consolidate his power

A
  • appointed Farinacci as the PNF secretary to get rid of Radical PNF members
  • diluted squad powers
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11
Q

what did M do in Oct 1925 to consolidate his power

A
  • 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
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11
Q

what were 2 laws put in place in Aug 1925

A
  • 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
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12
Q

in _ _, M granted the ability to ____

A
  • in Jan 1926, M granted the ability to rule by decree
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13
Q

when + why was Mussolini’s fascist dictatorship fully established

A
  • 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
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14
Q

when were all opposition groups + trade unions banned

A
  • December 1925
  • this was extended to ALL political parties in 1926
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15
Q

what was Confino

A
  • 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
Q

outline OVRA

A
  • 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
Q

the regime carried out only _ death sentences pre WW2

A
  • the regime carried out only 9 death sentences pre WW2 - showed little serious opposition
17
Q

name some changes made in education

A
  • 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
Q

what was the ONB + the boys program

A
  • 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
Q

outline tasks boys and girls did in their youth programs under the ONB

A
  • girls did gymnastics to ensure they’d be healthy + fit mothers
  • children were taught about ‘great hearos of Italy’ such as M
  • they were taught about the poor treatment of WW1 soldiers + how fascism saved Italy from communism
19
Q

name failures of the ONB

A
  • 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
Q

what was the fascist view of universities form a propaganda standpoint

A
  • 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
Q

the number of uni students rose from _ in _ to _ in _

A
  • the number of uni students rose from 54,000 in 1921 to 165,000 in 1942
20
Q

only _ of _ uni students refused to join the PNF/ swear allegiance

A
  • only 11 of 1,250 uni students refused to join the PNF/ swear allegiance
21
Q

when was the OND set up

A
  • set up in 1925
22
Q

M’s fascist paper _ had a circulation of around _

A
  • M’s fascist paper ‘Popolo d’Italia’ had a circulation of around 100,000
23
Q

outline press censorship under M

A
  • 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
Q

journalists weren’t allowed to publish work on ___ etc so not to stain Italy’s image of no social issues

A
  • journalists weren’t allowed to publish work on crime, suicide etc so not to stain Italy’s image of no social issues
25
Q

what did fascist propaganda aim to do

A
  • aimed to unify Italians with a shared patriotic feeling that celebrated Italy’s history
25
Q

outline the Cult of il duce

A
  • 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
Q

outline a success + failure of the cult of il duce

A
  • 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
Q

outline the Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution

A
  • held in 1932 to celebrate 10 years of Fascist rule
  • artists created artwork representing this achievement
26
Q

name an example of Fascist theatre

A
  • Giuseppe Forzano produced 3 plays providing the story of 3 great patriotic leaders who were linked to M
27
Q

how did M deal with the King

A
  • 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
Q

name an example of M reducing the Kings power + its significance

A
  • 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
Q

what happened to the Fascist Grand Council in 1928

A
  • 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
Q

how did M treat conservative elites

A
  • 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
Q

membership of the PNF increased in the 1930s, due to the realization that …

A
  • 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
Q

how did M treat the judiciary

A
  • 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
Q

how did M treat local governments

A
  • 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
Q

what are the 4 main ways M cemented his power

A
  • 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
Q

by _, M had purged _ members of the PNF and _ left voluntarily

A
  • by 1929, M had purged 50-60,000 members of the PNF and 110,000 left voluntarily
36
Q

what was Ms knowledge of the economy like

A
  • M was not an economist + had little interest/ understanding in economics
36
Q

how did M treat the PNF

A
  • 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
Q

outline the 4 different groups within the PNF party

A

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
Q

what are the 3 ways to measure the success of M’s economic policies

A

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
Q

what was the goal of M’s early economic policies

A
  • to win over the powerful industrial Italian elite
40
Q

outline some of M’s early economic policies

A
  • appointed De’Stefani as Minister of Finance
  • privatising industries - e.g. telephone sector
  • reduced Govt spending
  • Vidoni Pact 1925
41
Q

exports, particularly that of cars, textiles + agricultural products doubled between __-__

A
  • exports, particularly that of cars, textiles + agricultural products doubled between 1922-25
41
Q

what are 4 criteria for measuring success of economic policies

A
  • increased M’s control
  • increased M’s prestige
  • improved the economy
  • improved lives of workers + Italian people
42
Q

was the revaluation of the Lira/ Battle for Lira a success

A
  • 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
Q

as a result of the revaluation of the Lira, Italian exports industries, like _, went into depression - unemployment trebled between __-__

A
  • as a result of the revaluation of the Lira, Italian exports industries, like textiles, went into depression - unemployment trebled between 1926-28
44
Q

what was the charter in the corporate state

A
  • in 1927, the ‘Charter of Labour’ was drawn up
  • it guaranteed workers’ rights in employment, social insurance and welfare
45
Q

name 2 failures of the corporate state

A
  • The Charter was never followed through
  • it was propaganda - workers were represented by Fascist officials who supported business owner’s interests
46
Q

what are 2 successes of the corporate state

A
  • damaging industrial disputes were mainly avoided, this limited effects of the depression
  • increased M’s prestige; M had ‘solved class conflict’
47
Q

how did M respond to the Great Depression

A
  • 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
Q

what were the institutions set up to help with the Great Depression

A
  • IMI: protected Italian businesses against collapse with loans from banks
  • IRI: prevented banks + private comapnies from collapsing with loans
49
Q

outline the successes of autarky

A
  • agricultural products like cereals + wool were stockpiled to boost reserves meaning supply + prices were stable
  • autarky goods were cheaper than those from abroad
50
Q

outline the failures of autarky

A
  • 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
51
Q

what was the Battle for Births

A
  • 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
Q

what are some of the laws put in place for the Battle of Births

A
  • 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
Q

was ruralisation successful

A
  • no, only 5% of southern land was reclaimed for farm use
  • but, the drained marshes reduced malaria by 50%
53
Q

was the Battle for Births successful

A
  • no
  • marriage rates stagnated + birth rate declined until 1936
53
Q

in the late 30s, the birth rate of _ births per 1000 was lower than the _ BR of _ per 1000

A
  • in the late 30s, the birth rate of 102 births per 1000 was lower than the 1911 BR of 147 per 1000
53
Q

outline ruralisation

A
  • 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
Q

outline 2 successes of the Battle for Grain

A
  • wheat production inc by 50% 1914-38
  • foreign imports of grain reduced by 75%
54
Q

what was implemented in the Battle for Grain

A
  • educated farmers on new growing techniques + provided fertilisers
  • press photographers were always there to picture M visiting farms + helping with harvests
54
Q

outline 2 failures of the Battle for Grain

A
  • 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
Q

welfare spending increased; spending went from _% to _% between -

A
  • welfare spending increased; spending went from 7% to 20% between 1930-40
56
Q

how many corporations were made in the corporate state policy

57
Q

due to the Battle for _, Wheat production increased by _%

A
  • due to the Battle for Grain, Wheat production increased by 50%