the fascist state 1925-40 Flashcards
what did all teachers and students have to do
swear an oath of loyalty to regime, teachers rarely opposed as they wanted to keep jobs
what did they do to help indoctrinate
-mussolinis image placed in every classrooms next to pope and king
-existing books that werent patriotic enough were banned
-1936 only one official history textbook
-ONB gave opportunities to young for leisure time, focused on moral and physical education and militarism
-1932 membership compulsory
what was ONB membership by 1937
7 mill
what was the fascist slogan
“believe, obey, fight!”
what are reasons that fascism successful in indoctrinating the young
-regime focused resources on most impressionable group in society
-all teachers had to take oath and join PNF
-all other youth groups banned
-1929 membership of ONB in north was 60%, 1939 membership compulsory and was 7 mill
-exposure to propaganda over 20 yr period was a whole generation
-leisure activities popular, liked uniforms and has sense of belonging
what are reasons that fascism failed to indoctrinate the young
-state didnt have monopoly on influencing minds of young
-many teachers showed outward conformity than genuine belief
-young still influenced by family and church, didnt have fascist values
-catholic action allowed
-compulsory age of schooling to age of 11, after they could drop out of ONB
-compulsory element meant more likely to resent ONB
-enjoyment of sport didnt necessarily result in dedicated soldiers
when was OND set up
1925
what did the OND do
-provided leisure that promoted fascist way of life outside workplace, almost everytown had a clubhouse
-OND took control of all football clubs, 3000 brass bands
-subsidised holidays and provided welfare
what was OND membership
eventually reached 4 mill
what was the difference between OND and ONB
-indoctrination less evident in OND activities
-OND members happy to take advantage of leisure activities, was genuinely well liked
when were italys sporting achievments
-world cup in 1934 and 1938
-encouraged patriotism
how much circulation did fascist newspapers have + how did fascists use it
10%
-greater variety of papers meant readership grew, italian newspapers more interesting and believable
-many accepted narrative that fascists reduced crime and poverty
-effective in making enthusiasm for abyssinian war
-less successful in persuading readers to support antisemitic policies
when was the abyssinian war
1935
what decrees introduced for press censorship
-prefects responsible for censorship
-socialist newspapers e.g. avanti shut down
-hostile journalists arrested/lost jobs but most remained in jobs to reinforce readers acceptance of what press said
-reporting crime/disasters/unemployment forbidden
-foreign papers banned
-press office issued daily instructions on what correct version of events were
-difficult for critical attitudes to form when no alternative views were made
what phrase appeared everywhere that compared mussolini to God
“mussolini is always right”
-church didnt like this
how did mussolini use technology as propaganda
-radio and cinema helped to spread fascism to illiterate people
-loud speakers set in piazzas so cheering crowds could hear speeches
-sets given to schools and OND clubs
-cinemas allowed to run films imported internationally
-3/4 ticket sales were for US movies
what was the cult of il duce
-emphasised mussolinis superhuman qualities, presented as saviour of italy against socialism and liberals
-provided focus of unity that trancended divisions in society
was the cult of il duce successful
-many accepted it but some skeptical
-volume of propaganda stressing his power and genius deterred potential opposition
-worship of one man didnt always translate into ideology of fascism/committment to PNF
-celebrating his youthful qualities faded as he grew, 1943 he was 60 yrs
what was the influence of fascist culture
-used art to spread fascist principles, commissioned works of futurist and neoclassical styles
-revived classical art of ancient rome, glorified history and similarities with fascism
-futurism symbolised modernity and dynamism
how did fascists use repression and terror to suppress opposition
-created OVRA (secret police), monitored opposition, people encouraged to inform authorities abt activities of close ppl
-special tribunals set up for political crimes but few death sentences passed
how did fascists handle opposition
-serious opponents sent to islands of the coast, torture used regularly
-concentration camps used to “reform” opponents, werent known for mass murder
how many killed under the regime
400 including attacks by black shirts
who was the chief of police
Bocchini
who was the PCI leader
-Gramsci
who were the Rosselli brothers
-socialists who fled italy and made antifascist organisation “justice of liberty”
-were murdered by hit squad in 1937
why did mussolini have no interest in antisemitism at first
-thought whole italian nation were superior
-jewish pop. so small (45,000), no reason to disturb them
-they were well integrated into society and some members of PNF
why did mussolini introduce antisemitic decrees
-relations between italy and nazi germany increased in 1930s, wanted to match hitlers extremism
-after conquering abyssinia 1936 he was more confident in radical approach
what were the anti semitic decrees
-introduced 1938
-manifesto of race”, targeted jewish and banned them frpm professions, illegalising marriage between them and aryans
-jews removed from authority in government ect., could face property confiscation
why were his antisemitic decrees unsuccessful
-policies not enforced consistently
-were unpopular
-seen as mussolini pandering to powerful ally hitler
what are successes in attempts to control italians
-ballila popular among young, affected whole generation
-dopolavoro well recieved, controlled adult leisure
-PNF membership increased , purged any opposition
-censorship prevented critical comments on regime
-cult of il duce widely believed in
-propaganda and technology spread fascism
-OVRA and special tribunals suppressed and intimidated opposition, minimal open resistance
what are failures in attempts to control italians
-ballila less popular when it was compulsory, young still influenced by messages at home
-dopolavoro popular as it was ideologically free
-membership of party didnt reflect committment to fascism
-propaganda only worked when it went with grain of established views, cult of duce failed when he couldt live up to expectations
-consent lasted as long as regime didnt interfere too much with ppls lives
what was mussolinis early stance regarding economy
-main aim was to maintain power, economics only a tool for helping him
-followed orthodox policies to please elite
-after consolidating power, shifted to more fascist approach
-regarded economy as a way to support his foreign policy ambitions
what did de stefani do to improve economy in early economic policies
-cut governmnet expenditure, privatised state industries which created budget surplus
-reduction of tariffs helped to increase trade which benefited world ecnomic recovery
-free market approach pleased elite but farmers struggled to compete with cheaper foreign imports
what was the battle of the lira
-replaced de stefani with volpi who revalued the lira
-wanted to reverse impact of inflation which saw lira slide to 150 to the pound
-1926 currency fixed to 92 to the pound, was successful
-mussolini then sacrificed good business sense to boost image, regarded political goals over ecnomic policies
what was the corporate state
-promoted workers and managers interests
-had little impact on productivity and morale however, only succeeded in making new jobs for officials
-officials appointed to the new chamber of fasces and corporations had to be part of PNF, interests of workers represented by the PNF
-corporations lacked real power as mussolini made final decisions
what was the battle for the births
-needed large pop. of fascists to fill army and administer empire
-was a propaganda campaign for fascism, stated in 1927 he wanted to expand pop. from 40 mill to 60 mill by 1950
-financial incentives to expand families were in form of loans, “bachelor tax” given to single men
-was a failure, birth rates actually decreased, rate was 112 per 1000 in 1936, 147 per 1000 in 1911
what was the battle for the grain
-wanted a self sufficient economy, wanted to produce more wheat to prevent relying on imports
-farmers guaranteed high prices for grain, offered grants to buy machinery
-wheat production doubled between 1922-39, no longer needed to rely on grain imports
-in south had to grow grain in unsuitable soil, replaced citrus and olives with grain so harvests poor, agricultural exports declined so created trade imbalance
-was propaganda victory, censorship ensured no one knew the truth so couldnt form critical view
what was the battle for the marshes
-land reclamation involved draining marshes to make more farmland and living space
-pontine marshes drained to create small farms
-improved public health as reduced waterborne diseases, provided employment in depression
-only small fraction of land actually put into agricultural use
-failed to stop population shift away from countryside, ruralisation campaign linked to battle for the births as peasants usually had larger families but more moved to cities to find better work
-urban pop. increased to 50%, ruralisation contradicted other aim of strong industrial base for rearmament, didnt have coherant strategy
what were successes of economic policies
-policy of privatisation, reduction of tariffs and lower government expenditure encouraged economy to expand
-after years of uncontrolled inflation, in charge of fixing lira at higher rate
-corporate state gave appearance of overcoming class divisions
-lower unemployment and fewer bankruptcies during depression
-self sufficient in grain
-battle of births had support of church, land reclamation good for propaganda
-censorship made difficult to criticise fascism
what were failures of economic policies
-living standards decreased as trade unions abolished
-battle of lira damaged exports as more expensive
-corporate system was expensive, favoured employers
-growth in uncompetitive cartels and rise in expenditure made worse by wars in abyssinia, had unsustainable debt and higher tax
-failed to be self sufficient in iron/coal
-battle of births failed, land reclamation on small scale, ruralisation failed
-economic growth rate less than other countries, liberal italy had higher growth rate, failed main aim of preparing for war
why did mussolini need to get support of church
-needed to move away from anticlerical views, church was major part of ppls lives
-has to settle roman question to boost image abroad
-mussolini gave favourable references in first speech 1922 to win them over, gradually gave them concessions
what are examples of concessions mussolini gave to the church
-expanded their influence in education
-crucifix placed in walls of schools and courts after 1923
-increased state allowances to priests
-participated in his own religious marriage in 1925
when did pope pius XI become pope
jan 1922, had positive view on fascism especially after promises of concessions
what else did mussolini do to maintain support of church
-rescued church during collapse of bank of rome
-banned anticlerical journalists and the Freemasons who rejected the catholic doctrine
what did Pope Pius XI do in return for mussolini
-1923 approved dismissal of PPI cabinet ministers and forced resignition of Don sturzo as leader of catholic party
-1924 backed him during matteotti crisis
-agreed to disband PPi 1926
-agreed to lateran pacts in 1929
what did church gain from lateran pacts
-1929
-officially ended conflict between church and state
-catholicism was the state religion for italy, church had official control of vatican, given 9 religious holidays
-catholic action recognised, compensation given for losses since unification
what did mussolini gain from lateran pacts
-could restrict catholic influence to only one small area
-bishops had to take oath of loyalty to the state, church given state bonds meaning they recognised the state as legitimate
-seen as an acceptable leader so could reach rural population
what were main impacts of lateran pacts and concordat
-concordat legitimised regime, overcame historic divisions
-lateran pacts meant regime couldnt be truly totalitarian, didnt have full control
-1931 government tried to suppress catholic action as it was rival to ONB, compromise reached that catholic action could only carry out religious activities
what did Pope Pius XI say abt mussolini
“a man sent by providence”
why did church support regime/what were their similarities
-shared conservative views on society e.g. women should stay and look after family
-approved of battle of the births and government policies forbidding contraception and abortion
-supported abyssinia and spain conflict as it could spread catholic faith
-priests would urge people to be involved in war effort through service/donations
-both disliked socialism
why did church dislike entering ww2
-pope couldnt support italian catholics fighting french catholics
what were reasons for tension between church and state in 1930s
-mussolini followed hitlers lead in antisemitic decrees in 1938, were very unpopular, pope sent letter of protest
-didnt like mussolini saying “mussolini is always right”, compared himself to God
-didnt like cult of il duce, church should have all obedience and worship, not mussolini
what are reasons that propaganda was mussolinis main way of control
-propaganda extensive and visible, indoctrinated italians
-radio, censorship, posters, slogans, cult of personality reached both literate and illiterate people
-propaganda in education, ONB and OND
-mussolini competed with church for minds and support of people
-success hard to measure as no alternatives to fascism, failed in battle of births
what were reasons that mussolini controlled italians through other ways
-banned other parties and trade unions, lateran pacts with church, OVRA and MVSN, concentration camps for opponents, threat of violence but wasnt used regularly
-kept support of elite groups, church still had some rivalry, parliament power reduced and closed down in 1939, courts heavily controlled, education heavily controlled
-OND supported, lateran pacts 1929, support extended but didnt create genuine support
how did mussolini maintain support of monarchy
-retained monarchy as institution to reassure elite that he wasnt interested in revolution
-king didnt challenge him on foreign policy, did perhaps criticise antisemitic policies but kept private
in what ways did power of king decrease
-1928 lost right to appoint PM
-succesor to him required advice from fascist grand council
-1938 no longer supreme commander of army, shared title of marshal of italy with mussolini
how did mussolini maintain relations with elite
-protected their wealth and status
-abolished trade unions and strike action
-followed policy of laissez faire (minimal government interference), favoured rich
-de stefani and volpi both president of confederation of industry, represented big businesses
what were ways that relations with elite not always harmonious
-major landowners benefited from government investment but business leaders were concerned of exports because they were declining due to overvalued currency
-rearmament created deficit and pro nazi direction caused consternation, wealthy began losing confidence and transferred money to swiss bank accounts
how were relations with central government
-ministers expected to follow commands without question
-wanted full control of everything but this was impossible, instead gave operations to elite
-war ministries managed under secretaries who were generals/air marshals
-few people tok initiative, little coordination between ministries so resulted in chaos
how did he maintain relations with local government
-relied on old liberal insitution of prefects as chief source of central governments power in provinces
-prefects usually politicians, had greater authority than ras
-appointed prefects who were in charge of law and order
-were responsible of censorship, kept eye on local fascist branches
-podestas replaced elected mayors, clearly under fascist control
how did he maintain relations with army
-officer corps enthusiastic abt fascism, musso increased their salaries, offered greater opportunities by promotion + rearmament
-shared expansionist foreign policy, enjoyed freedom to run military themselves
-retention to monarchy was welcomed
-pleased when given control over some of fascist militia
how did he maintain relations with nationalists
-dismantled potential opposition by officially merging with PNF with ANI in 1923, already had similar agendas
-helped spread fascism to the south
-getting support of nationalists helped get support of elite
-musso promised to fulfil their dream of making italy a great power
how did he maintain relations with PNF
-farinaccis centralisation of PNF, party became subservient to Mussolini
-200,000 purged over the years who were usually radical
-instead of rewarding talent, musso promoted malleable “yes men” e.g. starace (party secretary in 1930s) and anyone who expressed critical view lost party membership
-fascist grand council highest authority but still was undermined by musso as he selected members, they met rarely as musso wanted a “personal dictatorship”
what was the price that mussolini paid for neutralising the PNF
-didnt build an ultraloyal circle of ideological fanatics like hitler did
-his policies ended up not being fully implemented, was more vulnerable when things went wrong
in what ways was mussolini a powerful dictator
-parliamentary democracy destroyed, cabinet hardly met, judiciary lost independence, unsympathetic civil servants purged
-king subordinated to mussolini
-police state crushed any resistance
-cult of il duce persuaded ppl to offer mussolini consent
-local government controlled by prefects and unelected podestas
-fascist party neutralised, squads taken over by state militia
-other parties banned, trade unions abolished, strikes illegal
in what ways was mussolini a weak dictator
-compromised with elite, was dependent on their support which was conditional on him protecting their interests
-was more interested in show rather than substance of power, policies not often pushed through, day to day government managed by those who worked in old liberal regime
-fascist party so incapacitated that he couldnt rely on them when needed
-public support largely superficial, couldnt weather the storms in the future
-economic policy more abt serving interests of ruling class
