Packet 2: Mussolini's Policies and Fascist Indoctrination

Consolidation of Power (1922-1945)

Coercion - Legal Methods

• Mussolini delivered his first speech as Prime Minister to the Chamber of Deputies on November 16, 1922.
• He defended the rights of the Fascist revolution and the "Black Shirts."
• Mussolini claimed he could have used force to punish opponents but chose not to at that moment.
• He formed a Coalition Government aiming to unite the nation beyond party lines.
• Mussolini expressed gratitude to his colleagues in the Government and acknowledged the support, both active and passive, from the Italian working classes.
• The refusal to proclaim martial law avoided civil war and allowed the Fascists to integrate into the parliamentary State.
• Mussolini emphasized the need for action and will to implement solutions to Italy's problems.
• The government was described as firm and decisive.

Cartoon Analysis

• A cartoon from the Fascist newspaper Il Popolo d'Italia by Sironi was inspired by Mussolini's first speech, on November 16, 1922.

Acerbo Law and Electoral Changes

• The Acerbo Law was proposed to grant Mussolini's Fascist party a majority in the Parliament.
• It was implemented during the 1924 general election, the last competitive election in Italy until 1946.
• Despite becoming prime minister in 1922, Mussolini initially had a limited number of deputies and relied on a coalition.
• The Acerbo Law aimed to change proportional representation to secure Mussolini a clear majority.
• It stipulated that the party winning the most votes, with at least 25%, would gain two-thirds of the parliamentary seats.
• The remaining third was distributed proportionally among other parties.

Support for Mussolini

• Pope Pius XI expressed appreciation for Mussolini's understanding of Italy's needs to overcome anarchy.
• Former Prime Minister Giolitti believed Mussolini's government could restore social peace and provide strong leadership.
• Newspaper owner Albertini credited Mussolini with saving Italy from the Socialist danger.
• Senator Frassati highlighted positive aspects, including the incorporation of squadristi into the national militia.
• The Times reviewed Fascism's first year, noting national unity, improved public services, and enhanced national security.

Coercion - Use of Force: Matteotti Crisis

• On May 30, 1924, Giacomo Matteotti denounced Fascist violence during recent elections, leading to disruptions.
• Matteotti predicted his own death and was kidnapped and murdered eleven days later.
• His body was found two months later, and the car used in the kidnapping was traced to a leading Fascist.
• The murder was linked to Dumini, a member of a secret hit squad set up by Mussolini.
• Mussolini faced a crisis that threatened his power due to widespread belief in his involvement.
• Opposition Deputies walked out of Parliament, known as the Aventine Secession.
• King Victor Emmanuel hesitated to dismiss Mussolini, and the Fascist radicals demanded a full Fascist dictatorship.
• Mussolini initially combined repression and concession, but eventually seized the initiative and declared his responsibility for Fascism, though not for the murder.
• Afterward he announced his plans to establish a dictatorship.
• Arrests and repressive measures followed, with Mussolini gaining the power to issue decrees and extending government controls.
• A secret police (OVRA) was established, and other parties were banned.
• Mussolini established a personal dictatorship, appointing Farinacci as Party Secretary and then dismissing him.
• Mussolini survived the Matteotti crisis and strengthened his position.
• The Aventine Secession was undermined by internal contradictions and a lack of decisive action.
• Opposition members awaited the monarch's decision and avoided calling for a general strike.
• Despite initial fears, Mussolini managed to stabilize his position with the King's support and division among opponents.
• Mussolini was described at the time as appearing worn and fearful for his position.
• He countered these challenges by making changes to ease concerns.
• The Vatican also helped with damage control and prominent figures supported Mussolini, and there were fears of political chaos and squadristi violence.

Mussolini's Speech on January 3, 1925

• The Italian population should be secure of peace, work and calm both with love, if possible, and with force, if inevitable.
• Everyone should realize the planned actions are not due to personal whim, or an ignoble passion but solely the expression of unlimited and mighty love of the fatherland.

Persuasion - Censorship, Charismatic Leadership, Propaganda

• Anti-Fascist newspapers shut down in July 1925.
• Regulations required journalists to be approved by the Fascist Party starting December 1925.
• Despite restrictions, non-Fascist newspapers and radio stations operated, particularly those linked to the Catholic Church.
• Radio control in Italy was less effective.

Romanita Movement

• Mussolini's propaganda promoted the revival of ancient Roman culture, symbols and values and tied them to the Fascist agenda.
• Mussolini connected himself with authority, discipline, and punishment through symbols and imagery from ancient Rome.
• The regime created newsreels that showed Mussolini addressing large crowds, filmed from below highlighting his height and giving a larger-than-life persona.
• The regime cultivated charismatic leadership.
• Mussolini took great care to project an image of masculinity and vitality.
• Fascist slogans such as Believe, Obey, Fight spread across public buildings.

Speech in Bari, September 6, 1934

• A Fascist wants to revive what glorious past has left with uncomparable beauty.
• The speech says to everyone, especially to the peoples of the East.
• To trust in the collaborative will of Fascist Italy to work together, exchange goods and ideas.
• The goal is to realize higher social justice for the Italian people.
• They won under the sign of the Fasces and will win tomorrow.

Battles and Corporations: Economic Policies

• Mussolini aimed to enrich Italy tackling major economic problems, where previous governments had not succeeded.

Economic Battles

• Mussolini engaged economic problems by declaring economic war on them.
• The first step was to address a severe economic problem when he became to power which was the terrible poverty of Southern Italy and Sicily.
• The regime started the battle of the Souther Problem laying a new foundation stone named Mussolinia.
• The regime also began a battle for wheat.
• In this battle they made attempts to encourage growing local wheat, which the regime would give out gold, silver or bronze medals to farmers who produce more wheat each year.
• They had newspapers give massive coverage.
• Then they declared economic war on land.
• The `Regime fought the hard to increase the state size of Italy’s population
• Generous Maternty benefits were handed out.
• Bachelors has to pay tax.
• Cheapest railway tickets so could go honeymoon.
• And there was a event on 92 mothers because birthed lots of kids.
• Finally just about every kind of problem the currency dropped in the bank
• They did everything because the bank to restored it’s value

Corporate state

• Mussolini’s favorite favorite achievements.
• building to unions
• He began the workers and bossed in work
• All of the corporations was headed by three officials with a party
• In corporate ways the most wanted way was this made the state
• Mussolini always had an advised himself
• He would pick people who he thought would pick the best
• All of the friends officials would be in his pocket
• And would always have the best state
• In the past the state always made real power

Controlling People's Minds

• Everything the people could see and hear, reinforced the slogan 'MUSSOLONI IS ALWAYS RIGHT'.
• They were indoctrinated into Fascist ideology, including the resurrection of the Roman Empire.

Controlling The Young

• Minds of young people were the first ones looked at.
• Growing up loyal was what the regime needed.
• This meant kids learned Fascists ideas from very early age.
• Beginning prayer to believe in the resurrection
• The kids would read how to know how to good with it.

Organisations After School

• Youth could gain organizations through military control.

Controling Adults

• Adults were bombarded with the regime’s propaganda and walls plastered with slogans.

Other Controllable Areas

• cinema
• newspapers
• leisure
• Even sport
• new calendar year in October.

Religion

• Because Mussolini didn't have that much religion
• He needed them
• And just made them for the church so can get the money
• and allowed Catholics ideas

The Road to War, 1935-1939: Expansionist Ambitions

• Aimed to build a mighty roman Empire by concquring land around the med sea and especially in Africa.
• He mentioned to make the med sea and “Italian lake”.
• He declared his “imperial journey” in 2935
• He said that there was going to be and invasion of abessia
• Mussinlini wanted two colonies and called it italian east africa
• Half a million of soldier found what if bare-foot.

War in Abysinnia

• Help was asked when Haile went gena to league of nations for hep even the league of nations
• did no halt he invasion and let the italien ships and canal get what they need .

Fascist Friendship with Hitler

• Musinlis and agression.
• October 1935: he created friendship to help them stop fight
• Italy needed some stop help they did not need to stop fighting
• Mussolini called agreement for his to berlin axis
• Hitler persuaded his to join the anti-comintern pact
• Hitler marches mussilinis did not say nothing and did nothing.

Mussolini's Foreign Policy Leading up to WWII

• Mussolini had a conversation with the Duce in the morning.
• Mussolini spoke about the ideas of our meeting.
• Duce had a conversation with the German Diplomacrat Von.
• All this could not but influence the mind of the Duce to intervene.

Entry to War

• The Maginot Line has become a break-through.
• Today the entry communication has been sent to Hitler about.
• the chosen decision by date
• a dagger blow to the heart has occurred.
• he Italians had no reason to be surprised by the declaration of war.

Key Generals Against the Regime

• Generals Ambrosio and Vercellino were convinced that there was nothing left for us but destruction, death, and disorder.
• They asked about how far we will go and we intend to to.
• German armies would will hold tenaciously.

Explore Mussolini's economic policies, including the 'battle for wheat,' 'battle for land,' and 'battle for births.' Examine the Fascist Party's efforts to control thought, indoctrinate youth, and the role of propaganda. Learn about events like the 'March on Rome' and the significance of the children's prayer.