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Factors influence Mussolini's Foreign Policy - Coggle Diagram
Factors influence Mussolini's Foreign Policy
Ideological
Fascism
Strongly related to Italian Ultranationalism
In 1910 Associazione Nationalists Italiana formed
1921 – Mussolini Forms the national fascist party.
After he formed the PNF à worked to stress Fascism’s commitment to a strong government, and especially patriotism and imperial expansion, (fundamental to Italian Nationalism)
helped Mussolini gain support for Fascism in Italy, as his portrayal of fascism appealed to those who wanted a strong and united Italy
Nationalism
‘Risorgimento’ (unification of Italy)
In 1910 Associazione Nationalists Italiana formed – an important nationalist movement in Italy
dissatisfied nationalists wanted to return to a more glorious Italian Past
'Romanita' movement - desire to reacreate the glory of the ancient Roman empire
Mussolini recognised the importance of nationalism for his fascist motivations
Once he became PM he worked to strengthen fascism's connection with nationalism
linked to Italian regime to greatness of Ancient Rome and its emperors
Communism
1912 - Universal male suffrage introduced
rise of ideologies such as communism - communism became increasingly popular in the middle class e.g. 1 million workers strikes in 1920
Rise of anti communist ideas (this also helped Mussolini in his rise to power, as he presented fascism as fundamentally opposed to communism)
Government - financed the 'fascis' which employed violent methods to suppress the communists, did so in 0.5 of a year
a militia known as the Black shirts was created
heavily encouraged by Mussolini
even though communism declined Black shirts continued to suppress the left, government continued funding and so soon they had great level of influence within Italian society
Political
Economic
Key Aims
To help Italy achieve greatness by increasing its land area (reclamation), having a strong currency, and striving for autarky.
To achieve a corporate state in (partnership between the state and private enterprises)à “corporatism”.
Pre- Great Depression
1925 - Battle for Grain
1926 - Battle for Land
18 August 1926 - Battle for Lira
Great Depression
Even though Italy was a 'corporate state' it was badly impacted by the Great Depression
exacerbated the pre-existing problems from overvaluing the lira, e.g High Inflation (Increase of 400%) and high cost of living
Unemployment grew to 2 million
Government response was to further intervene in the markets
It bailed out industrialists à deepened the economic divide between the north and the south.
In 1933 the Istituto per la Ricostruzione Industriale was set up à took over shares of companies and banks
Italian government established the largest public sector in Europe (second only to the communist Soviet Union)
Adopted Job sharing schemes.
Used public money to prevent the collapse of banks and industries
great depression led to large amounts of political and social upheaval all over Europe, however despite all of the issues in Italy, Mussolini was able to prevent this.
He did this by pursing a more inspirational and ambitious foreign policy.
This of course fit into really well Mussolini’s pre-existing fascist aims.
'The character of the Italian people must be moulded by fighting' - Mussolini
WW1
National debt rose from 16 billion to 85 billion lira
In response government printed more banknotes - higher inflation
Wages dropped by 25%
Prices went up by over 400% from 1915 – 1918.
Deepened the economic divide between the north (industrialised and wealthy) and the south (agricultural and relatively poor)
led to great anger for the current government of Italy, and more support for fascism which presented itself as the better alternative to the government.
Territorial
Italia Irridenta/Terra irridenta
areas previously inhabited by Italian speakers but ruled by Austria Hungary), which many Italians wanted to reclaim.
eg. Trentino and Trieste in northern Adriatic
Led to a desire within Italian society for further imperial expansion, and for Italy to be united.
Mussolini was able to appeal to these people who wanted a united Italy and strong leader, with his emphasis on the similarities between Nationalism and Fascism