Mark Robson, Italy: The Rise of Fascism, 1896-1946, chapters 6 & 7 & pp.

116-25

Chapter 6: Mussolini and the economy, 1922-1940

1) What was the “battle for the lira”? Who benefited and who lost as a result of this policy?
(P. 84, 85)

The battle for the lira took place after 1925 when Mussolini (the Duce) attempted the revaluation of
the Italian currency. By 1926, the industrial boom had come to an end and the expanse rate of lira was
falling against other currencies. The exchange rate fell to 150 lira to the pound. This inflation did not sit
well with Mussolini so he fought to defend the lira by setting the exchange rate to 90 lira per pound. This
restored the value the lira held in October 1922. The Revolution of the lira should have helped the Italian
consumer because imports of foods and other products from abroad should have become cheaper.
However, the Duce prevented this by placing high tariffs on many foreign imports. This furthered the
autarky Mussolini strived for.

Who benefited:
- the Duce achieved the propaganda victory he desired
- Steel, armaments and shipbuilding industries that needed large supplies of cheap tariff-free
imported raw materials —> promoted through the Fascist rule

Who lost:
- foreign bankers saw the policy as a way to restrict government spending
- “The effects in the Italian economy were far from beneficial” (85).
- Foreign buyers found Italian goods nearly twice as expensive… therefore, Italian export
industries (including textiles, Turin, and many others) went into depression.
- Unemployment trebled in the years 1926-8

2) What was the “corporate state” supposed to accomplish in theory? What was the reality?
(P. 85-87)

The corporate state:

Mussolini’s model for the economy whereby every industry would be part of a Fascist-led corporation
that would sort out disputes between workers and management, and help to organize production, pay and
conditions.

Supposed to accomplish in theory:

- Workers benefit from the economic revival of the early 1920s
- No disputes between workers and employers
- Better than industrial Britain and France
- No strikes :)

The reality:
- Unemployment fell and the de Stefani’s policies curbed inflation
- Rivalries within the Fascist Party
- Workers were unable to choose their own union representatives in their corporation, and instead
had Fascist nominees foisted on them. These Fascist officials tended to side with the employers’
representatives over the key issue of wages and working conditions
- Conflict between employer and employee was not solved, only suppressed
- Living standards (see page 89)

3) How did the Great Depression affect Italy? (P. 87)

The Wall Street Crash in 1929 caused a global economic depression that Italy could not escape.
- A large number of companies collapsed
- The democratic governments of Western Europe and the USA were reluctant to help
- The Italian Fascist state got to work and introduced public work schemes, built motorways and
power plants. Which put the unemployed back to work
- The Institute for Industrial Reconstruction (IRI)
- President Theodore Rosevelt’s ‘New Deal’ was actually drawn up through inspiration from the
Duce.

4) Why did Mussolini pursue the economic strategy of autarky in the mid-1930s? What were
its effects? (P. 88)

Mussolini believed that Italy needed to be prepared for war as it was inevitable in Europe or to further
his African Empire. Economic sanctions banning trade with Italy in certain goods grain, steel, and
textiles were put into place by the League of Nations which backed up the Duce’s reasons for autarky.
Exports took low priority as Mussolini focused on Italy’s ability to self-sustain. Unfortunately, Italy still
remained far from self-sufficient when the Duce joined the Second World War in 1940. Oil, coal, and
iron ore which are essential to creating steel still had to be imported in very large quantities. The drive for
autarky in fact only succeeded in worsening Italy’s financial difficulties.

5) What was the “battle for grain”? What were the impacts of Fascist policies on Italian
agriculture and agricultural workers? (P. 90-92)

The battle for grain

Fascism’s attempt to make Italy self-sufficient in the production of grain, and thus bread

Impact of agricultural policy on living standards:

- Heavier wage cuts as compared to industrial workers during the 1930s
- Poverty was so bad that people turned to emmigration (the USA is poor now they don’t want to
go there gross). The population of Rome doubled between 1921 and 1941.

6) What is the historical significance of the quote, “Mussolini made the trains run on time”?
(P. 93)

This phrase was coined by foreign journalists (newspapers such as Britain’s Financial Times) to
suggest that the Fascist regime had somehow improved the efficiency of Italian industries. A number of
modern historians still argue that fascism did much to improve the economy.

Chapter 7: Life in Fascist Italy, 1922-1940

1) Why did Mussolini negotiate the Lateran Agreements of 1929? What were the terms of this
agreement? What did each side get? (P. 100-102)
To end conflict between the Church and Italy that had existed for over 60 year. It established Catholicism
as the state religion. The church supported Mussolini. Specific examples of what the church got are on
page 101.

At what point, and for what reasons, did these agreements begin to fall apart?
Mussolini wanted influence over the youth but the church wanted to maintain what they had. Both sides
would not move in their ways or compromise. They each advertised their ideas to different parties and on
separate media.

2) To what extent was Italian Fascism anti-Semitic? (P. 103-104)

- Mussolini was never as hatred towards Jews as Hitler
 - He allowed 3,000 German Jews in as refugees
- He eventually began to blame Jews for antifascist movements
- 1938: Jews began to be segregated from the rest of society
- Laws were pretty inconsistent but at least Mussolini did not go out of his way to murder Jews

3) What was the “battle for births” and how did it fit with other Fascist policies towards
women? How successful was it? (P. 104-105)
- Mussolini pushed for an increase of population
- Population increased from 40 million to 60 million by 1950
- Fit with the policy of women being forced to stay home
- The birth rate declined
- Women either stayed working to support their families or because they enjoyed the freedom

4) Oh my goodness. What are your thoughts about schooling in Fascist Italy? Be sure to read
the primary sources and look at the pictures. Please include the term ONB (Opera
Nazionale Balilla) (P. 106-108)
He first obtained the loyalty of the teachers and then by the next 2 years everything would be set in stone.
He dreamed of and strived for millions of aggressive, athletic, disciplined Fascist youth. “The eyes of the
Duce are on every one of you”. Obedience, obedience, obedience. They are worshiping Mussolini and
Fascism like a god (Source C). The ONB was basically mandatory sports and physical activity outside of
school for the fascist youth. A lot of military training as well, the girls actually focused on sewing,
singing, and childcare more so.

5) What was the Dopolavoro? Why was it successful when Mussolini’s other attempts at
promoting Fascist ways among adults were not? What does this tell us about Italian
Fascism? (P. 109-111)
The Dopolavoro was set up in 1925 to provide leisure activities that would influence workers towards a
Fascist view of life and compensate for the now defunct trade-union-sponsored clubs. Memberships
peaked in 1939 at 4 million. Working class Italians did not need much convincing to join, just the
activities and the name was enough to get them to join.

Chapter 8: Mussolini’s foreign policy, 1922-1935 (pp. 116-125)

1) Mussolini wanted to make Italy, “great, respected and feared.” To what extent was he able
to do this in the 1920s? (P. 117-119)
“Italy would achieve Great Power status via military build-up, diplomatic intrigue and, if need be, war”.
He was basically so greedy that he kept trying to snatch up land in the 1930s and even lead Italy into a
disastrous world war that resulted in the fall of Fascism and the death of the Duce himself. Italy in 1922
had a secure position in Europe but was unable to except a great deal of influence, either diplomatically or
militarily. Any changes in the European status quo would require the consent of Britain and France, and
smaller powers had few means of extracting concessions. A resurgent Italy would have to move carefully.

Discuss: Greece and Corfu (1923)

Basically some important military officials were assassinated on the Greece island of Corfu.
Mussolini has always wanted Corfu for himself so he took this opportunity to blame the incident
on the Greek government and demanded a 50 million lire for compensation. They refused so he
decided to drop bombs (as any civilized person would do)… the League of Nations took a while
to intervene but when they did, Italy eventually removed their forces and everyone was still kind
of angry. This demonstrated that although Mussolini could bully smaller powers, he could not
stand up to the ‘great’ powers.

Yugoslavia and Albania (1924) (I know you want to name your firstborn Zog).
He was more successful this time so that’s good for him I guess. He’s kind of a bully though so
that’s gross. He gained lots of popularity which made him happy. The Duce’s success over Fiume
 persuaded him that Yugoslavia could be pushed around. He didn’t like the French’s influence in
the state and wanted to promote Fascism. Ahmed Zog :)

Relationship with European Great Powers and League of Nations?

He was careful not to antagonize the two dominant European powers of the 1920s, Britain and
France. He remained in the League of Nations and signed the Locarno Treaty and the Kellogg-
Briand Pact of 1928. Even if he didn’t care about the things France and Britain fought for, he still
took their side to keep them happy and on his side for when he wanted to be a bully.

2) Describe German-Italian relations, 1933-1935: (P. 120, 121)

Was not off to a great start, but eventually it worked slightly to his advantage. Mussolini got scared about
Germany becoming too powerful through Austria when Austria came for help, to which they did so.
Nazi’s assassinated the chancellor and Mussolini was not happy. He called Hitler a “horrible sexual
degenerate”.

What was the Stresa Front of 1935?

Germany breached t of v. Mussolini met at Stresso with the Great Powers to assess the threat and address
it. He did not trust Germany, yet France and Britain had more reason for their mistrust. He wanted to play
it safe so he decided to take over and invade Ethiopia.

3) What were the results of the Italian conquest of Ethiopia (also known as Abyssinia) in
1935? (P. 123-125)

Military victory and brutality:

October 1935
- Ethiopian forces were disorganized and suffered against the effects of modern war
- use of aerial bombing and gas
- The capital was occupied in one month
- Random attacks (source B has telegrams)

Domestic response:
- the public was uncertain
- They weren’t that excited but jumped at the opportunity to show Italy’s power over the Great
Powers
- Overall, it increased Mussolini’s support

International response:
- France and Britain were outraged (as they should be, Mussolini was being a bully)
- Ban of Italian goods within the League of Nations
- Didn’t impact that greatly
- Mussolini increasingly saw the western powers as weak