Mussolini (The Fascist Political System) Notes

Tara Subba Mussolini and the Fascist political system (HL) Mussolini and the Fascists Political System Key Dates Date Event 1925 Vidoni pact outlawed independent trade unions 1926 Granted the right to issue decrees without parliament consent Banned internal argument - parliament lost the right to debate proposed laws or criticize Fascist policies Opposition newspapers surprised Begin cult of personality 1928 1929 1939 Mussolini controlled all appointments in Fascist party Lateran Agreement - improvements between the church and Fascism Parliament replaced by the chamber of Fasces and Corporations  Tara Subba Mussolini and the Fascist political system (HL) | Mussolini's aim: Personal Dictatorship | 1926 Mussolini had achieved his ambition of becoming dictator of Italy. * He could make laws by issuing decrees. * Parliament was under his full control - no longer a forum for debate but simply a theatre in which his decisions could be applauded by Fascist supporters and sympathizers. * With Liberals and Popolari divided and leaderless, and the Socialists under constant physical attack, there was no strong political opposition. * Providing that the King remained in fear and awe of the Fascist leader, Mussolini need not worry about the armed forces, as they were very unlikely to break their pledge of loyalty to the monarch. With his position secure, Mussolini now set out to create his Fascist state. This was to be a personal dictatorship. His goals were: * To maintain and increase his own personal power. * To encourage a 'cult of personality' that stressed his geniuses, his power and his indispensability as leader of the nation. * He attempted to consolidate his position by seeking a constructive working relationship with powerful interest groups (Church, industrialists and the armed forces) Mussolini's personal power took priority over the desire to impost Fascist ideas all aspects of Italian life. He was determined that the Party should be his servant and not his master. Mussolini would: * Decided what powers the Party should possess * What Fascist policy should be and how and when it should be implemented Mussolini's Italy: * One in which he alone possessed ultimate power. * Interest groups, the old institutions of government and the Fascist Party all competed against each other for authority but they looked to Mussolini to adjudicate their disputes and to make the final decisions. Without him, the government could not function and the regime would collapse. Tara Subba Mussolini and the Fascist political system (HL) | Propaganda and the Cult of Personality | Mussolini was determined to use propaganda to build up support for his regime and to deter opposition. 1926 * Opposition newspapers were suppressed and journalists and their editors made aware that they could be arrested if they published anything derogatory towards the regime. o Mussolini's press office issued 'official' versions of events -- newspapers expected to publish without question. o Stressed Mussolini's benevolence. o Quoted the opinions of foreign admirers SS? British Foreign secretary Chamberlain - "a wonderful make working for the greatness of is country'. o Suggested that the Duce was flawless - "Mussolini is always right" SS? Political indoctrination -- published and exaggerated Fascist successes. SS? Portrayed the Duce as vigorous, athletic and courageous man. u? Model for all Italian males. u? 'Superhuman' u? Man of culture - known that he digested all 35 volumes of the Italia Encyclopedia and classics of Shakespearean literature. u? Recorded spectacles, parades and propaganda to keep Fascist interest and secure people's allegiance to Fascism. * Radio and cinema were also tools for Fascist propaganda; o Only 40,000 radios in the whole of Italy in the mid 1920's. But from 1924, the radio network was run by the state. o News bulletins continually praised Mussolini and broadcast his speeches in full. o Radio's were given to schools * Party attempted ensured that those living in total areas could at least listen to communal radios in their villages. 1930's The sheer volume of propaganda stressing Mussolini's power and genius deterred political opposition. 

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