Leaving Cert Histroy of Italy under Mussolini, Fascism

1. Fascist Italy

2. Italy before Mussolini
 Unified since 1870
 Democratic with King as head of
State.
 Franchise extended in 1913
 Rich industrialised North and
poor agricultural south
 At the turn of the century over
half of the population were
illiterate.
 Huge emigration , especially to
US
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

3. Conditions after WWI
 Huge dissatisfaction with Treaty of Versailles- Italy had entered the war
in 1915 under The Treaty of London. Had been promised territory , only
some of which they received. Known as A “Mutilated victory”.
 Gabriele D’Annunzio(famous Italian poet) seized League of Nations
“Free city” of Fiume and set up a fascist style regime there until 1921-
symbol of outrage at Versailles.
 The economy had failed to recover after the war- ex- soldiers returned
to unemployment which had risen by 2 million.
 Inflation was rapid- between 1919 and 1921 50% increase in prices.
 1920-22 was known as the the “Two Red Years- strikes and workers’
councils set up inspired by Bolshevik Russia. Farmers formed the Peasant
Leagues to defend their interest against landlords.
 A lot of political instability- five different prime ministers between 1919
and 1922- people starting to lose faith in democracy.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

4. Mussolini and The Fascio di
Combattimento
 Benito Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in Italy after
WWI 1919- Fascio di Combattimento.
 This movement used, and was named after ancient Roman
symbol of the fasces- this was a symbol of authority at the
time of the Roman Empire- reflected Mussolini’s belief in
Law and Order.
 The party beliefs:
1) was against socialism and Communism
2) was against strikes and unions
3) was against the Treaty of Versailles- Mussolini strongly
supported d’Annunzio’s occupation of Fiume.
4)believed in a return to the greatness of Ancient Rome
5) Believed a dictator who was tough on law and order would
solve Italy’s problems.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

5. The Blackshirts  Mussolini’s uniformed followers wore
black shirts and were called the
Squadristi, popularly known as The
Blackshirts.
 Many were university students or ex-
army officers- against traditional
politics.
 Their motto “I don’t give a damn”
 Function was to fight opponents of
the party
 Fighting between Fascists and their
left-wing enemies became common
in towns and villages throughout
Italy.

6. Increasing Popularity and
March on Rome
 Only got 2% of vote in 1919 general election- membership of party
17,000
 After adopting a more conciliatory stance on the Church and
reorganizing the party into the National Fascist Party, they won 35 seats
in 1921 elections- due to a split in Socialist party, membership of
fascists rises to 100,000
 In August 1922 the Blackshirts managed to break a general strike called
by the Socialists- popularity rises, membership increases to 300,000
 In September 1922 Mussolini declares he supports the Church and the
Monarchy to ensure the support of these two powerful institutions
 In October 1922 the Fascists organized a March on Rome. The fearful
King offered Mussolini the role of Prime minister before the March- the
march went ahead anyway as a propaganda stunt- Mussolini became
Prime minister and formed a government

7. Why did Mussolini rise to Power in Italy?
They rose to power because:
 The failure of weak, liberal, democratic governments to make Italy a great
power after Unification in 1870
 Italy had suffered greatly during WWI(over half a million soldiers killed) . Yet
despite being on the winning side they did not get the land they wanted in the
Treaty of Versailles
 The economy was in a bad state after the war; inflation and unemployment
were high. Food shortages. Frequent Strikes and riots. War time production
boom over. Peasasnt soldiers had been promised land-not forthcoming.
 Existing political parties unable to tackle these problems- The Socialists and
Catholic Popular Party fundamentally opposed to each other so no co-
operation.

8. Why did Mussolini Rise to Power in Italy?
 In contrast the Fascists were creating a dynamic image- seen as a a
party of action willing to take strong measures to make Italy great
again and to tackle law and order.Many people believed that the
strong government and return to the greatness of the Roman Empire,
promised by Fascist propaganda would solve all the countries
problems.
 Mussolini’s talent for oratory and propaganda.
 Businesses and the Catholic Church feared the spread of communism
after the Russian revolution. Widespreaad strikes and the organisation
of workers into Bolshevik inspired worker’s councils hugely increased
this fear. Mussolini was strongly anti- communist.
 Split in Socialist party in 1921 sent a lot of people towards the
Fascists.
 When the Fascists broke the general strike of August 1922, through
intimidation and violence, they became hugely popular and power was
inevitable.

10. Establishing a dictatorship.
 1923; Mussolini passed the Acerbo Law . This stated that the winners
of the election would get 2/3 of seats in parliament- the fascists thus
could rule with a majority of seats.Got largest number of seats in
1924(very popular after negotiating return of Fiume)
 The Black Shirts became a paid state Militia who used violence and
intimidation to silence opponents of Mussolini.
 In 1924 the murder of Giacamo Matteotti, an outspoken socialist
opponent of the Fascists, caused the opposition to withdraw from
Parliament. They thought the King would now dismiss Mussolini. The
gamble backfired and with no opposition now in parliament it
became easier for Mussolini to create a dictatorship.

11. Establishing a dictatorship
 January 1925 Mussolini announces his intention to set up a dictatorship.
 Press freedom ended
 Police and Blackshirt violence against opposition increases(the club and
Castor Oil)-police power extended.
 Christmas 1925 a law introduced stating only the King could dismiss Mussolini
 November 1926 ,after a failed attempt on his life, all political parties except
the Fascists were banned by Mussolini.
 Local elections were abolished and local councils were put under the control
of Fascist officials.
 Mussolini now the dictator or Il Duce
 The OVRA (secret police) created . Suspects were held without trial, and they
spied on the public. A special court was set up to try people for political
crimes-death penalty introduced. 10 people executed for political crimes
between 1927 and 1940 , 5,000 sent to prison camps.- nowhere near as
totoalitarian as USSR or Nazi Germany

12. Mussolini’s use of Propaganda and
Indoctrination
 He built a personality cult around himself , calling himself
“Il Duce”
 He controlled the press and radio and he forced them to
glorify himself and the achievements of the fascists. (had
to Print his name in capitals)Image tightly controlled
backed by slogan “Mussolini is always right” Portrayed as
tireless super human. All cinemas had to show positive
propaganda film before each movie
 1931 All teachers had to take a special oath of loyalty to
Mussolini. They were forced to teach children that
Mussolini was always right.
 Children from the age of eight were strongly encouraged
to join the fascist youth groups, “Balilla” and “Piccole
Italiane”

13. The Corporate State- Mussolini’s
Economic Third Way
 Aim was to promote co-operataion between employers and workers and avoid
industrial disputes- an alternative to Socialism and Capitalism, a third way
 In the different areas of the economy(agriculture, textiles), workers and
employers were organized into corporations. They were expected to work
together to settle disputes over pay and working conditions
 Strikes and Lock-Outs were not allowed. Socialist and Catholic Trade Unions
were not allowed. Fascist Trade Unions negotiated for the workers.
 By 1934 there were 22 corporations
 Much admired internationally
 Reality was it gave Fascists and employers most control
 To compensate for loss of control workers were given annual paid holidays,
social security, sports and theatre facilities and cheap tours and holidays.

14. Mussolini’s Achievements
 He drained the malaria infested Pontine Marches near
Rome.
 He created much needed employment through public work
schemes- hydroelectric plants built and railways
electrified. He built Autostrada and greatly improved
Italy’s transport network.
 In an attempt to achieve self-sufficiency the Battle for
Grain and the Battle for Births. Rich farmers got good
price for grain and imported grain amounts fell.
 He signed the Lateran Treaty with the Pope.
 Crushed the Sicilian Mafia- 10,000 arrested
 Tackled illiteracy

15. . . . .and some failures
 Self-sufficiency was not achieved due to Italy’s shortage of essential
raw materials.
 Battle for grain made bread expensive and thus affected the poor.
 He insisted on keeping the value of the Lira strong against other
countries. This failed as it made Italian exports more expensive and
led to high unemployment. In 1936 he reduced the value of the Lira.
 As state control of the economy increased a large, inefficient
bureaucracy was created.
 Many schemes were initiated more for propaganda more than for
economic reasons
 The worldwide depression following the Wall St. Crash in 1929
hindered development and in general life did not change for most
people

16. The Lateran Treaty- 1929
Background-
 “The Roman Question”- The Pope had lost a lot of territory during
reunification he called on Catholics not to vote in Italian elections-
only ended in 1919. Successive Italian governments had pursued anti-
clerical policies, especially in education.
 Mussolini was not religious but wanted a United Church and State so
he married his common law wife in church and had his children
baptised.
 The church saw fascism as the lesser of two evils in relation to
Communism. They also appreciated Mussolini’s opposition to divorce
and abortion.
 Pope Pius Xi wanted an end to the 60 year old dispute – negotiations
began in 1926

17. The Lateran Treaty 1929
 1929 Lateran Pacts named after palace in the Vatican.
Was known as “The Conciliation”.
 Greatly increased Mussolini’s prestige and popularity at
home and abroad.
The terms:
 The Vatican was created as an independent sovereign
state.
 The church was compensated for the land it had lost.
 Catholicism became the state religion of Italy and
religious education was made compulsory in all schools.
Divorce was banned
 The Church guaranteed that Church- run bodies would
not get involved in politics. Priests were not allowed to
join any political party.
 All bishops had to be Italian and take an oath of loyalty
to the state.
 The Pope was forbidden to interfere in International
disputes involving Italy. This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

18. Tensions between Church and
State
 Tensions between Church and State did not disappear.
 1931 Mussolini became involved in a dispute with the
church over the Church organization, Catholic Action.
Mussolini felt they were too political and tried to destroy
it. In the end compromise reached.
 Fascist writings including those of Mussolini were put on
the Catholic Index of forbidden books.
 The Church opposed the racial laws introduced by Italy
after 1938. Anti- Jewish laws.

19. Foreign Policy
 Aim to make Italy a great Empire like Ancient Rome
 1923 occupied Corfu
 1924 negotiated the return of Fiume
 1926 established Albania as a protectorate- could now
dominate the Adriatic sea.
 After murder of Austrian Prime minister in 1934 Italian
troops rushed to the Brenner Pass to prevent German
intervention in Austria.
 1935 Italy becomes member of Stresa Front with Britain
and France to oppose German rearmament carried out in
defiance of the Treaty of Versailles.
 1935 invades Abyssinia, condemned by League of Nations
but France and Britain reluctant to criticize and create an
Italian – German alliance
 A secret agreement was proposed by Britain and France
whereby Italy would keep some of Abyssinia. Economic
sanctions imposed by the league.
 Mussolini enraged and aligns with Hitler.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

20. Alliance with Hitler
 1936 both Hitler and Mussolini
sent help to Franco in Spanish
civil War
 1936 sign Rome- Berlin Axis
 1938 Mussolini abandons
protection of Austria and
supports the Anschlusss
 1939 Mussolini occupied Albania
and Pact of Steel was signed-
committed both countries to
support each other in War.
 However Italy declared
neutrality when War broke out
as they were completely
unprepared for war.

21. Disastrous Involvement in WWII
 Believing Nazi victory was
inevitable Mussolini joined the war
in 1940 on the German side
 Invade France but only advance a
few hundred yards- farce
 Embarrassing defeat in North
Africa when they invaded Egypt
 Lost Abyssinia in 1941
 Embarrassingly defeated in Greece
and forced back into Alabania

22. Fall from Power
 After defeats in North Africa and Allied troops invaded
Sicily, many leading Fascists turned against Mussolini
 24th June 1943 revolt in Fascist Grand Council and next
day Mussolini removed as leader by King and arrested.
 Italy changed sides in the war- Germany occupied most
of it.
 Mussolini rescued from his mountain –top prison by
German paratroopers.
 Re-installed as ruler of Northern Italy by the Germans-
Salo Republic. A puppet government.
 1945 as Allies advanced through Northern Italy, Mussolini
tried to escape to Switzerland but was captured by anti-
fascist partisans .
 28th April 1945 executed with his mistress
 The bodies displayed strung up in square in Milan
 Italian fascism had come to an end.