2. Fascism and the Economy: How successful were Fascist

economic policies?

1. What problems did Mussolini inherit when he came to power?

2. Why did Mussolini’s decision to devalue the lira and return to the gold standard have such dire consequences?

• 1922 onwards - Economic recoveryTraditional liberal economic policies of lowering inflation and limited government intervention

• 1923 • Palazzo Chigi Pact• 1925 Dismissal of de Stefani Vidoni Palace Pact Start of Battle for Grain• 1926• Syndicalist Law• Law abolished the right to strike • 1927 onwards - Economy weakens• 1927• Labour Charter• Start of the battle for the Lira• 1929 onwards - Great depression• 1929• Wall St Crash• 1930 • Nat Council of corporations established• 1933 Institu Per La Ricosstruzione Industriale set up• • 1936 onwards• Economy harmed by stress on autarky and needs of war

• Aims- To consolidate the political system- To make Italy economically self-sufficient- To provide the economic base for military might

• Economic Inheritance- Very limited raw materials- Industrialising North with modernising agriculture: more backward South, with large estates and mass poverty- Tradition of close industry-banks-state links- Limited literacy

Battle for the LiraSHP p128Yrs of Lib p156

a) What were the consequences of the revaluation of the lira and the return to the gold standard?

b) What were the reasons for Italy’s balance of payments problem?

c) Do you think Mussolini won the Battle for the Lira?

The Battle for the Lira

The Battle for Grain

The battle of the Marshes

The Battle for Births

SHP p128-129

SHP p169

Tasks p170 – births

How successful were fascist agricultural policies?

1. a) What advances were there in agriculture? b) What problems remained?

HOMEWORK!!

How successful were fascist agricultural and industrial policies?

1. a) What advances were there in agriculture?

b) What problems remained?

2. a) What areas of industry developed?

b) What role did the govt. play?

How effective was Mussolini’s policy of self-sufficiency?

a) Explain what a policy of autarky means

b) What methods were used to increase grain production

c) Was reclaiming the Pontine Marshes worthwhile? How successful was it in Italy?

SHP pp132-133

Years of Lib pp156-159

SHP p129 battle for grain