Fascist Italy

Mussolini's Reign

Reason's for Fascism in Italy

Severe economic problems, unhappy with TOV, Political instability and fear of communism

Mussolini's initial rise timeline

1919 - 1922

Italy's War Experience prior

Low morale after Caporetto defeat, 3/4 million troops dead, heavy cost of war and resentment to treaties

Economic and Social Problems

Cost of war strained finances, 500% inflation increase, millions of demobilised soldiers. Led to several strikes

Political Instability

Unstable and corrupt government made democracy unpopular. Frequent change of ministries due to lack of agreement.

Fear of Communism

Since coalition governments were too weak to stop lawless activity, Mussolini presented himself as a leader to solve Italy's problems

Mussolini's Fascist Movement

"Blackshirts" founded in 1919. From 1919 - 1922, grew for previous reasons and their illegal activity. Army and Gov. didn't intervene.

March on Rome

1921, Fascists gained 35 seats in parliament. Mussolini looked like a hero. In 1922, he told Gov. to solve Italy's problems or he would do it. No response, so 30,000 fascists marched. P.M wanted to use army, but king wouldn't allow it. He resigned and Mussolini was new P.M. March went on 2 days later

Setting up dictatorship

Introduced Acerbo Law in 1923., Fascist Militias set up in 1923, won election through terror 1924, killed socialist leader Matteoti in 1924, Mussolini banned king's ability to appoint people as well as opposition parties in 1925, OVRA set up in 1926 and he gave himself to ability to rule by decree

Acerbo Law

Political party that got the most votes would automatically get 2/3 of the seats, guaranteeing a one-party system.

OVRA

Mussolini's secret police

Mussolini's Domestic Policy

Created a cult of personality. Mussolini was a man of the people now. Mass rallies were carefully organised

Youth and Education

Teacher's had to be fascist, textbooks rewritten, compulsory Ancient Roman History and strong focus on values of Fascism

Battle for Births

• 1927 Battle for Births - designed to increase population from 40 million to 60 million by 1950. Marriage loans offered t encourage procreation and married men with 6 children were exempt from taxation

Mussolini and Economy

Wanted to make Italy self-sufficient (autarky) Minister of Finance was de Stefani from 1922-25. He introduced simpler tax system and reduced government expenditure and unemployment. Mussolini fired him out of pride, which was damaging to Italy.

Battle for Grain

Led to the doubling of grain production, however it would have been smarter to grow for export as Italy's climate isn't great for grain.

Successful Public Works

Autostrada built, unemployment reduced (short term) and land reclaimed.

Economic Policy Results

Superficial. Appeared grand but did little. The standard of living did not improve as wages fell by 10%

The Corporate State

Thought up by Alfredo Rocco, aimed to provide an alternative to capitalism. Sectors of the economy had a corporation that settled pay and conditions

Corporate State effectiveness

Was not effective. Favoured employers, too much bureaucracy and led to corruption

Church/State Relations

Poor since 1870, Mussolini realised he could gain a lot by healing it. In the 1920's, compulsory R.E, anti-abortion and contraception laws introduced, and Mussolini even baptised his children and marriage

Lateran Treaty

1929, Mussolini's biggest Christian win. Pope recognised Italian state, and Italy recognised the Vatican. 750 million lira also paid in compensation

Further Church/State Relations

Conflict arose in the 1930's when Mussolini banned the youth group Catholic Action. Church also didn't approve of the Charter of Race (1938). Pope Pius XII advised Mussolini to stay neutral in WWII.

Mussolini's Foreign Policy

Very inconsistent. He served as his own minister from 1922-36, before letting his son take over. He had 3 main phases and wanted to make the Mediterranean our sea (Mare Nostrum)

Expansionist Days

Early 1920's. After the Corfu incident, Mussolini blamed Greek government and occupied the island of Corfu until compensation was paid. In 1924 he acquired Fiume and in 1926, Albania became an Italian puppet state.

Cautious Days

Late 1920's. Mussolini enjoyed jetting around the world signing international agreements, for example, 1925's Locarno Treaty and 1928's Kellogg/Briand Pact.

Aggressive Days

1930's, Mussolini invaded Abyssina in 1935. He wanted to divert attention from economic problems and enlarge his empire. There was little difficulty overthrowing the natives. Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to League of Nations, but they did little to help

Result of Abyssina invasion

Italy earned a reputation for barbarity, Mussolini earned the admiration of Hitler, who used the incident as an excuse to invade the Rhineland, it led to military complacency and ended the Stresa Front.

Relations with Germany

Mussolini initially feared Hitler and the Anschluss. He send 40,000 troops to stop it and joined with Britain and France to from the Stresa Front. However, after the invasion, Hitler and Mussolini grew close. Many pacts were signed such as the Rome-Berlin Axis (1936), the Anti-Comintern Pact (1937) and the Pact of Steel (1939)

Mussolini and World War II

Initially stayed out of it due to military weakness. He declared war in 1940 after he was sure of a German win. However, he made himself and other fascist leaders commanders with no experience. All of Italy's war loses were at the fault of Mussolini