Mussolini signed the Lateran Treaties with the Roman Catholic Church in 1928 to gain the Church's support and strengthen his power over the Italian people. In exchange for recognizing Mussolini as Italy's legitimate ruler, the Church received independence for Vatican City, Roman Catholicism as the sole state religion, and compensation for lost land. The treaties were a propaganda victory for Mussolini as they suggested the Pope supported his rule, encouraging Italians to be both loyal Catholics and fascists, and led international governments to view Mussolini and fascism as "respectable".

1. LATERAN
TREATIES
IGCSE HISTORY
REVISION

2. DEFINITION
Lateran Treaties are agreements signed in 1928, between Mussolini
and the Roman Catholic Church.

3. Question 1
What motivated Mussolini to make
a treaty with the Church?

4. Answer 1
He recognised the importance of papal support for increasing his
power and control over the Italian people.

5. Question 2
In return for accepting Mussolini and the
King as legitimate rulers of Italy, what
three things did the Church gain?

6. Answer 2
The Vatican became an independent state.
Roman Catholicism was made the only state religion.
The Church was compensated for lost land.

7. Question 3
In what ways was Mussolini’s power
strengthened by the treaties?

8. Answer 3
Many Italians assumed that the Pope supported Mussolini and believed
they could be loyal Catholics and loyal fascists.

9. Question 4
How did international governments react
to the treaties?

10. Answer 4
Most felt the treaties made Mussolini and fascism “respectable”.

11. Important
The Lateran Treaties were a major propaganda victory for Mussolini.