Italian Fascism in Power

Italian Fascism In Power 57-73 : 

Italian Fascism In Power 57-73 By: Katie Gaeth, Riley Mulhern, Lucy Fox

57. When Mussolini came to office in 1922, he had a year’s emergency powers to restore order and introduce reform. In fact, his emergency powers were not to be relinquished until 1943. : 

57. When Mussolini came to office in 1922, he had a year’s emergency powers to restore order and introduce reform. In fact, his emergency powers were not to be relinquished until 1943.

58. In the 1924 elections, the Fascists used intimidation and strong-arm methods to suppress opposition. From 1925 on, Mussolini consciously set out to establish a totalitarian state, giving the Fascist Party complete domination over all facets of Italian Life. : 

58. In the 1924 elections, the Fascists used intimidation and strong-arm methods to suppress opposition. From 1925 on, Mussolini consciously set out to establish a totalitarian state, giving the Fascist Party complete domination over all facets of Italian Life.

59. Mussolini adopted the title Il Duce, “the leader.” His advisors were a Fascist Grand Council, all nominated by Mussolini himself. : 

59. Mussolini adopted the title Il Duce, “the leader.” His advisors were a Fascist Grand Council, all nominated by Mussolini himself.

60. But Il Duce never gained absolute power, as Hitler eventually did in Germany. The Italian monarchy continued to exist. And, after coming to terms with Mussolini in 1929, the Catholic Church also retained considerable power. Perhaps because its power was shared, Italian Fascism never went to the extremes of German Fascism. : 

60. But Il Duce never gained absolute power, as Hitler eventually did in Germany. The Italian monarchy continued to exist. And, after coming to terms with Mussolini in 1929, the Catholic Church also retained considerable power. Perhaps because its power was shared, Italian Fascism never went to the extremes of German Fascism.

61. However, the Fascists quickly abolished all political opposition. By 1926, censorship of the press was complete. Political parties and trade unions were ruthlessly suppressed. : 

61. However, the Fascists quickly abolished all political opposition. By 1926, censorship of the press was complete. Political parties and trade unions were ruthlessly suppressed.

62. All culture had to conform to the Party line. : 

62. All culture had to conform to the Party line.

63. Imitation of the massive grandeur of classical styles was encouraged, as a symbol of the glorious past and the glorious present. : 

63. Imitation of the massive grandeur of classical styles was encouraged, as a symbol of the glorious past and the glorious present.

64. The government made a genuine attempt to alleviate hardship. Its impressive public works included the draining of the Pontine Marshes near Rome. Major roads were also built. Unemployment was reduced. : 

64. The government made a genuine attempt to alleviate hardship. Its impressive public works included the draining of the Pontine Marshes near Rome. Major roads were also built. Unemployment was reduced.

65. The government encouraged women to have more babies, inspiring them with the maxim that “numbers mean strength.” : 

65. The government encouraged women to have more babies, inspiring them with the maxim that “numbers mean strength.”

Mussolini said: 66. “Fascism is the dictatorship of the state over many cooperating classes.”In order to carry out this idea, the Fascists developed the corporate state. By coordinating all enterprise in the interests of the state, the Fascists hoped to eliminate class conflict and to increase production. : 

Mussolini said: 66. “Fascism is the dictatorship of the state over many cooperating classes.”In order to carry out this idea, the Fascists developed the corporate state. By coordinating all enterprise in the interests of the state, the Fascists hoped to eliminate class conflict and to increase production.

67. Twenty-two corporations were established to regulate the different trades and industries. An economic parliament, based on these corporations, replaced the Chamber of Deputies in 1938. The Fascists believed that the legislature should represent economic rather than political groupings. : 

67. Twenty-two corporations were established to regulate the different trades and industries. An economic parliament, based on these corporations, replaced the Chamber of Deputies in 1938. The Fascists believed that the legislature should represent economic rather than political groupings.

68. In reality, however, the corporate state changed little in either economic or social terms for the vast majority of Italians. It served mainly to prop up capitalism as it already existed. : 

68. In reality, however, the corporate state changed little in either economic or social terms for the vast majority of Italians. It served mainly to prop up capitalism as it already existed.

69. Plans to raise workers’ wages were formulated, but these were cut short by the Great Depression of the 1930s. : 

69. Plans to raise workers’ wages were formulated, but these were cut short by the Great Depression of the 1930s.

70. Yet, Even through the Depression, the Fascist party retained large-scale support. Skillful propaganda bred a sense of identification between the nation and the Fascist party. Mussolini had given the common people a sense of commitment. : 

70. Yet, Even through the Depression, the Fascist party retained large-scale support. Skillful propaganda bred a sense of identification between the nation and the Fascist party. Mussolini had given the common people a sense of commitment.

71. This was expressed in the numerous uniforms, and in the Fascist youth movement, which indoctrinated young people in the ideology of the party. : 

71. This was expressed in the numerous uniforms, and in the Fascist youth movement, which indoctrinated young people in the ideology of the party.

72. It was expressed in mass political meetings, and in total identification with Il Duce, the symbol of Italian greatness. : 

72. It was expressed in mass political meetings, and in total identification with Il Duce, the symbol of Italian greatness.

73. Mussolini’s Fascist revolution in Italy had been welcomed by many people in Europe as an acceptable alternative to parliamentary liberal democracy. But when the Fascist revolution spread northward, to Germany, it was to take on a more menacing tone… : 

73. Mussolini’s Fascist revolution in Italy had been welcomed by many people in Europe as an acceptable alternative to parliamentary liberal democracy. But when the Fascist revolution spread northward, to Germany, it was to take on a more menacing tone…