Mussolini's Domestic Policies

Contents Main features of Mussolini’s economic policies How successful were Mussolini’s economic policies The main social policies in Mussolini’s fascist Italy Mussolini’s policies towards women, ethnic and other minorities, and religion Fascist rule's impact on education, young people and the arts

What were the main features of Mussolini’s economic policies? Mussolini had little understanding or interest in economics He laid the foundations for an aggressive expansionist foreign policy to strengthen the economy To make Italy rich and powerful, Mussolini had to make the country economically sufficient in food and raw materials for industry. He launched a series of campaigns he called, "battles" to achieve economic greatness

The Battle For Grain A campaign launched in 1925 due to poor harvest. Resulted in an increase in grain imports.  The goal for this campaign was for Italian farmers to grow more cereals and wheat to reduce the country's dependence on foreign imports He awarded medals to the most productive farmers and even published their stories in the newspaper.

Wheat was the vital commodity that could feed an army, and Italy did not grow enough of it. In the early 1920s about 2.5 million tonnes a year, nearly one-third of the requirement, had to be imported, at a cost of almost 3 billion lire. This was about one-fifth by value of all imports. Italy already had to import coal and oil; and could not import basic foodstuff as well. Clark, M. 2005. Mussolini. London, UK. Pearson. p. 130

Mussolini’s “Battles” In the north, farmers began growing wheat instead of maize and adapted to technology.  This increased use of tractors and fertilizers benefited companies like Fiat, Pirelli Rubber and Montecatini Chemicals. In 1926, Mussolini wanted to make even more farm land, so he drained marshes and swarms near Rome, to create more farms. Financed from public funds, farming created work for the unemployed.

How successful were Mussolini's economic policies? Mussolini’s ‘battles’, which were intended to achieve autarchy, were inconsistently fought and caused more problems than solved The Battle for Land, a campaign to turn marshland into suitable land for farming, only reclaimed one significant area (the Pontine Marshes). The Battle for the South aimed to develop the south economically and industrially, but ultimately failed Battle for Grain succeeded in almost doubling cereal production however also resulted in the misallocation of resources There were some achievements, such as: industrial production had increased by 9%, as a result industry overtook agriculture as the largest proportion of GNP for the first time in Italy’s history.

What were the main social policies in Mussolini's Fascist Italy ? Social Impact of Fascism: Aim of Third Way Deal: -Bring equal benefits to employers and employees -Work together to improve the life of Italian people and good of the nation -For workers to no longer be exploited and improved status under Fascist State

WHAT WERE THE MAIN SOCIAL POLICIES IN MUSSOLINI'S FASCIST ITALY ? How were different classes affected? Industrial workers: -Under Mussolini's rule in the early years (1922-1925) drop in unemployment and living standards improved due to Alberto de Stefani's economic policies and also general economic revival in Europe in 1920's -Alberto de Stefani: Originally a Liberal but later supported Mussolini and was appointed Minister of Finance in 1922. In charge of Mussolini's economic programme (favor free trade, lower taxes for private companies and wealthier classes). When Italy's economy was in crisis he was replaced by Count Giuseppe Volpi -1925 to 1926: Promises of Third Way Deal was a failure - workers lost independent trade unions, right to strike and did not end class conflict -1925 to 1938: Level of real wages dropped 10%. Unemployment rose and life for working class declined under Fascism, only a small minority benefitted

What were the main social policies in Mussolini's fascist italy? How were different classes affected? Peasants and agricultural workers -Mussolini promised to ruralize Italy but worsened under his leadership -Policies benefitted large landowners but not small farmers and agricultural laborers 1922: Law introduced to split large estates and redistribute land but there was no serious attempt and never acted on/ Agricultural wages dropped more than 30% during 1930's To escape rural poverty, Italians emigrated - 200,000 Italians moved to USA in 1920-1929 -Situation in Italy worsened when US reduced immigration quotas in mid 1920's. Difficult for Italians to find relief abroad - Ended up in slums of Milan, Turin and Rome

WHAT WERE THE MAIN SOCIAL POLICIES IN MUSSOLINI'S FASCIST ITALY? Lower middle classes -Formed backbone of Fascist party -Small business owners: hit hard by the depression and economic policies -Those who entered government jobs to Fascist party: enjoyed relative prosperity with good wages and benefits and oppurtunity to increase their increase through corrupt means Industrialists and landowners -Benefited most in Fascist Italy -Vidoni Pact of 1925 -Charter Labor of 1927 -Increased power and freedom of employers while preventing workers from defending and living standards During depression, large firms benefitted because government contracts offered financial assistance -Wealthy landowners gained a lot under Fasicst system -1935: ongoing attempt to restrict migration of rural workers to cities, special workbooks were printed -kept unemployment high in rural areas

What impact did fascist rule have on education, young people and the arts? Adapted several methods of manipulation, including indoctrination (teaching one a set of beliefs) Children were taught that Mussolini had saved the country from a communist revolution all fascist youth groups followed physical fitness programs and attended summer camps that included pre-military training older children also received political indoctrination Mussolini's influence over the youth was not as strong as he had hoped, 40% of 4–18 year olds managed to avoid membership of the fascist youth groups Resistance to fascist ideals were not uncommon throughout the youth population, including in universities

Mussolini’s policies towards women, ethnic and other minorities, and religion

Sexism Sexist attitudes towards women “Women must obey… in our state, she does not count.” “Intellectual women are a monstrosity.” “Higher education [for women] should only cover what the female brain can cope with…” Battle for Births Launched in 1927 Increased population from 40 million (1927) to 60 million (1950) Exhorted women not to work Gave benefits to married families and families with more children

Sexism Female Employment Restrictions only 10% of state jobs could be held by women (later extended to private firms) Many jobs were seen as “unnatural” by the Fascists Teaching Office work professions

Racism Romanita Movement Charter of Race (1938) The collection of political and cultural concepts and practices by which the Romans defined themselves Valued obeying orders Hard work Self-sacrifice in the name of Rome Charter of Race (1938) Leggi Razziali & Regio Decreto (restricted civil rights for Jews) Superiority of Europeans over other races Unpopular amongst ordinary Italians

Policies Regarding the Church Presented the Fascist Party to be an alternative to anti-clerical groups (socialists, liberals, communists) Restored catholic teachings in schools Three Lateran Agreements  1929 (secret negotiations with Cardinal Gasparri) pope recognized state control over Rome (received £30 million compensations) salaries of clergies were paid by the state recognized Papal control over the independent state of Vatican City state held veto power to appointment of bishops all marriages and divorces needed to go through the church Priests give Fascist salutes