Mussolini; Rise, Rule and Collapse: A Conclusion

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

2. 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

3. 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 LottadiClasse (the class struggle) • In 1912 editor of a socialist paper “Avanti”

4. 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 Popolod´Italia • In 1915.17 served the army, returned home anti-socialist

5. 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)

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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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!!

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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 nazionaleBalilla • Patriarcal system appreciated, but also some modern ideas on women