The Fascist State 1925-40

Question 1

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

Answer 1

• the King

Question 2

in __, all other political parties were banned

Answer 2

• in Nov 1926, all other political parties were banned

Question 3

_ Italians were sent to Confino, _ were arrested for anti-fascist activities

Answer 3

• 10,000 Italians were sent to Confino, hundreds were arrested for anti-fascist activities - was little serious opposition

Question 4

in , the secret police () was formed by _ to spy on Italian civilians

Answer 4

• in 1927, the secret police (OVRA) was formed by Bocchini to spy on Italian civilians

Question 5

when was the ONB formed + what was it

Answer 5

• April 1926
• it was an organisation that aimed to physically + morally benefit boys aged 8-18yrs - largely centred around physical fitness
• aimed to produce young Fascist soldiers
• was compulsory to age 11

Question 6

what is an e.g. of a young girls’ organisation

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

when was the OND set up + what was it

Answer 7

• set up in 1925
• OND provided workers with social + sporting opportunities - e.g. cycling groups
• OND membership gave workers discounted rail tickets + subsidised holidays
• was subtle propaganda - was ideologically free but gained M support

Question 8

there were increased _ for newspapers that said positive things about _

Answer 8

• there were increased subsidies for newspapers that said positive things about M

Question 8

by _, the OND had over _ members

Answer 8

• by 1939, the OND had over 4m members

Question 8

by _, there were over _ registered radio sets

Answer 8

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

Question 8

_ newspapers only accounted for _% if the entire newspaper sales in Italy

Answer 8

• fascist newspapers only accounted for 10% if the entire newspaper sales in Italy

Question 8

to spread the idea of the Cult of il Duce, _ photos of M was circulated

Answer 8

• to spread the idea of the Cult of il Duce, 30 million photos of M was circulated

Question 8

what was the Fascist slogan

Answer 8

• “Mussolini is always right”

Question 8

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

Answer 8

• created in 1926
• encouraged mass participation in Fascist culture

Question 8

what were films like in Fascist Italy

Answer 8

• films were made to glorify Fascism, e.g. The Siege of Alcazar

Question 9

after _, the PNF was used as …

Answer 9

• after 1926, the PNF was used as an instrument for M rather than a functioning party for the betterment of Italy

Question 9

how did M deal with the civil service/ judiciary

Answer 9

• anti-fascist judges were replaced with fascist ones - judiciary was no longer impartial
• imprisonment w/o trial become more common

Question 9

what was the relationship between M + the King

Answer 9

• the K remained 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 antisemitic decrees in 1938

Question 9

in _, only _% of judges were members of the PNF but was made compulsory in _

Answer 9

• in 1927, only 15% of judges were members of the PNF but was made compulsory in 1935

Question 9

how did M overcome the 1929 economic depression

Answer 9

• public work schemes, e.g. road building
• welfare spending increased; spending went from 7% to 20% between 1930-40

Question 9

what was the Gov like under M

Answer 9

• was centralised by 1925
• M was head of foreign affairs, minister for interior + armed forces
• no election - all ministers were appointed by M

Question 9

when + what was the Vidoni Pact

Answer 9

• made in 1925
• socialist TUs + strikes were outlawed
• Fascists were the only representative body for workers

Question 9

outline the revaluation of the Lira

Answer 9

• in Aug 1926, M wanted to revalue the Lira
• by 1927, the Lira was artificially fixed at 19 to 1 American dollar
• this revaluation was just for propaganda - to make it seem like the Italian econ was strong - but it actually crippled Italian exports for foreign buyers
• this exemplified how M’s economic policies had shifted to representing his power rather than the actual economic needs of the Italian people

Question 9

outline the Corporate State

Answer 9

• was an economic policy of M’s
• corporations would be established in every sector of industry, which would rule it
• wasn’t successful for the economy but was good propaganda

Question 9

outline M’s autarky

Answer 9

• aimed to make Italy self sufficient
• agricultural products like wool were stockpiled
• developed synthetic substitutes - e.g. lanital instead of wool

Question 9

how were births encouraged in the ‘battle for births’

Answer 9

• loans were offered to married couples to encourage birth
• high taxes imposed on single men
• it failed; birth rate declined until 1936

Question 9

outline the 3 key areas Lateran Pacts

Answer 9

• 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 would remain separate; Catholic Action was the only recognised non-fascist organisation
• this pact settled the Roman Question

Question 10

in _, M tried to close __, leading to the public criticisation of M by the Pope - but an agreement was formed

Answer 10

• in 1931, M tried to close Catholic Action, leading to the public criticisation of M by the Pope - but an agreement was formed

Question 11

what was Radio Vatican

Answer 11

• Catholics resisted Fascisms totalitarian claims to control every aspect of life
• RV broadcasted alternative news + info