Rise of Fascism 13-24

Italy 1925-1943

mid-1920s freedom of speech and press significantly reduced, Fascists started their own propaganda, state officials had to swear oath of loyalty, boys and girls had to join fascist youth, opposition silenced by BS and killed in penal colonies, catholic church and King still powerful, Musi’s popularity increased until WWII

Governmental Structure

King remained to keep tradition, 2 chamber government - only Fascists one - single-party state, Grand Council - executive committee that made policy under Il Duce, rest of government remained same just controlled by Fascists

Fascism and the Church

Musi and Catholic Church enter Treaty of Lateran (1929) - 1. Pope had authority in Vatican City and Pope recognized Gov’t, 2. Musi paid Pope to keep quiet about Gov’t, 3. appointing Bishops required approval of Gov’t, 4. Gov’t paid salaries of clergy (religious workers) after they swore allegiance to Fascists, 5. Religious school was allowed to continue, treaty favored Church but was to moderate its influence on regime

Economic Structure

Corporative State was mode of economic structure, trade unions dissolved and strikes forbidden, workers organized into diff. state run trade unions, unsolved disputes between employer and employee were sent to State Labor Courts which made binding decisions, SL Courts were to eliminate socio-economic disorder from WWI - labor side won most cases but management the most important ones, Battle of Grain - domestic policy to make Italy more independent of foreign imports by boosting grain production - started 1925 w/ high tariffs on imports and the use of land which had not been used - was infertile - expensive, as result grain production doubled by 1939 making Italy self-sufficient for grain but not fertilizers - problem WWII, was more a propaganda victory at cost of economy and consumers, Battle of Land - domestic policy - began 1928 - clear marshland to create farmland to increase grain and jobs, reduce malaria, redistribute land for peasantry, and impress foreign countries, Pontine Marshes - showcase, as result health improved, 1000s of jobs during Depression, more grain, propaganda exaggerated amount of land recovered, no land redistribution, favored large landowners

Economic Results

eased tension between employers and workers, decrease in wages and increase in work - sacrifice for the state, Corporative system was good for F - creating a lot of jobs for party members, free enterprise continued until Depression were gov’t had to increase control ,early 1940s gov’t owned 17.5% of industry

Positive Programs

public education improved, creation of work programs during Depression, nationalized insurance, better housing for the poor, increased use of scientific farming techniques and development of natural resources, trains came on time - adopted more realistic schedules

Cult of the Leader

censorship, propaganda, and self dramatization developed Musi’s persona of super-leader - 1. man of flexible resolution, 2. leader/soldier of experience and genius, 3. devoted public servant, 4. man of passion but disciplined, 5. political genius with strangely accurate predictions, signs and posters showed “Musi is always Right”, he stressed obedience to his power

Foreign Policy

Fascism stressed heroism and military glory, Musi wanted Italy to play bigger role in world affairs - part of national strength and pride, expanded army and navy - wanted to expand into eastern Mediterranean and North Africa to mimic other world powers and create “new Roman Empire”, wanted to revise peace treaty from WWI - did not want to maintain status quo for peace, he stressed expansionist policies becoming international disruptive force in 1930s

Stresa Front (Foreign Policy)

was an agreement made in Stresa, It. between GB, F, & It in 1935, was in response to Germany announcing rearming, stated that the countries were to resist further breakage of T of Versailles by DE and protect Austria’s independence, agreement was vague - not successful

Background to Abyssinia

It. had role in maintaining peace in Europe but this decreased with the rise of Hitler because an aggressive DE would weaken Musi’s position in Europe so he also started looking for land he could annex, Why Abyssinia (Ethiopia) - 1. only African territory still available, 2. next to 2 existing It. colonies, 3. nationalistic reason - Italy had failed to take the land 1896 now would be revenge, 4. Musi believed it had oil, 5. surplus population of Italy could migrate their instead of US, 6. Musi assumed that Stresa Front that it was fine since he was part of agreement

The Abyssinia Crisis: 1935-36

1928 Italo-Ethiopian Treaty of Friendship signed with Emperor Haile Selassie - created 20 year friendship, same year both countries sign Kellogg-Briand Pact, Dec. 1934 conflict in Wal Wal causes death of 100 Ethiopians and 50 Italians/Somalis - countries blame each other, Musi wanted apology and financial compensation, 1935 Emperor Haile Selassie asks League for arbitration - not much done, after another conflict Musi mobilizes troops to It. colonies, GB & F offered concessions to prevent war but Musi denied offer, Oct. It. invades Ethiopia which had no chance, League declares It. aggressor and starts sanctioning It. - did not work, oil & steel was not sanctioned because It. would have just gotten it from US/ DE, GB & F wanted peace so did not make too much effort to prevent war, GB Foreign Secretary Samuel Hoare and F Prime Minister Pierre Laval make Hoare-Laval Plan (1935) - give Musi 2/3 of Abyssinia including most fertile and leave rest independent state - Musi agreed, GB & F citizens did not like plan - Hoare had to resign, everything showed weakness of the league and motivation to prevent aggression due to the desire of maintaining peace, 1936 all of Ethiopia was in It. hands

Significance of Abyssinia Crisis

damage to League and collective security by showing that countries would negotiate with aggressive countries - scared of war, ended Stresa Front, Hitler saw how GB and F did not war even w/ Italy’s weak military giving him confidence