Mussolini; Rise, Rule and Collapse: A Conclusion The Rise

The Background Unification of Italy in 1861; Italian democracy had never known stability: between 1871-1900 22 governments.. “ Italian democracy was corrupt and inefficient” The First World War and its effects! Economic problems Industrials relations were bad, strikes, occupations of factories by workers Factory committees were established Violence Many were discontent with the peace treaties Many feared revolution! Privileged groups, nationalists, Catholics demanded strong leadership

Mussolini/ Personal Background A son of a blacksmith A disobedient, aggressive bully: he was twice expelled from schools for violence Intelligent/ passed examinations easily, became a schoolmaster Founded a newspaper; La Lotta di Classe (the class struggle) In 1912 editor of a socialist paper “Avanti”

M. Avanti was anti-militarist, anti-nationalist paper, opposed Italy´s intervention in WWI Changed his mind: as on opportunist began writing articles in favor of war, resigned from AVAnti and was expelled from the Socialist Party Became editor of Il Popolo d´Italia In 1915.17 served the army, returned home anti-socialist

The Fascists Declared themselves to be revolutionary and opposed: socialists, trade unions Capitalists , big business The monarchy The Church ( dropped out that part quite soon)

The Foundations of Fascism in 1919 M. established the National Fascist Party Abandoned opposition to the Church Dropped out the republicanism His troops Fasci di Combattimento wore black shirts ( in imitation of Garibaldi´s red-shirts) M. wished to be called “Duce” ( from the Latin Dux/ leader)

Why was Mussolini able to take power? WWI, frustration St Germain Peace Treary 1919; Italians were not given the areas promised for them in 1915 The question of Fiume; Giolitti´s government became unpopular Economic situation The growing contempt for the parliamentary system; new orders, votes for all men, proportional system: coalition governments

Why Mussolini? Fear of communism; a wave of strikes in 1919-1920, occupation of factories by workers Socialist farm workers seized the land from wealthy owners→ the government failed to protect private property!! Italian communist party formed in 1921 Mussolini attracted the people; he was a clever turncoat! Propaganda!, he was seen as the guarantee of law and order

M: Rise The lack of effective opposition; the anti-fascist groups failed to cooperate; in 1921 socialists won 123 seats, F.s only 35→ socialists refused to cooperate; Giolitti had to resign, Socialists called for a general strike in 1922! →→ Mussolini was able to pose as savior of the nation → The march on Rome by 50 000 Black Shirts, also important northern cities occupied by them! The King invited Mussolini to form a Government!!

The Dictatorship of Mussolini The Press Censorship/ Propaganda Education/ Believe, Obey, Fight! The Acerbo Law of 1923/ the party who got most votes would be given 2/3 seats All other parties suppressed/ violence, murders ( Matteotti, Amendola) Changes in the Constitution; Mussolini responsible to the King, M. could impose new laws without the Parliament, only the wealthiest could vote Changes in the local government, RAS The Lateran Treaty of 1929

Economic/ Social Policies of Mussolini Battle for Wheat; encouraged farmers to concentrate on wheat production ( self sufficiency, by 1935 imports were cut by 75%) The result: a success, but achieved at the expense of dairy and arable farming. The climate in south more suitable for grazing and orchards. Agriculture remained inefficient Public Works were introduced; motorways, bridges, railway stations.. A Programme of Land Reclamation was launched: draining marches, planting forests in mountainous areas to increase agricultural areas

Industry was encouraged/ government subsidies Industry was encouraged/ government subsidies. Iron and steel production doubled by 1930, increase in artificial silk production, by 1937 production of hydro-electronic power doubled! Battle for Lira; Lira was revalued too high in 1926; made Italian exports more expensive on the world market and led to reduced orders

Mussolini; social approach No attempts to create a welfare state; no official government health service, no attempts to improve unemployment insurance scheme Corruption was a huge problem! Women, children, minorities Introduction of Dopolavoro ( after-work organisation) Opera nazionale Balilla Patriarcal system appreciated, but also some modern ideas on women