Expensive work schemes 1930s
- put the unemployed back to
work, Roads, railways and power
plants were built without foreign
help. Italy did not suffer the effects
of the Depression as bad
Suffered from a massive lack of raw
materials at the start of WWII - had to
import materials, this was expensive
and meant Italy could not match its
enemies in weapons and shipbuilding
Expensive military activities in
Ethiopia (1935) and Spain (1937)
showed limitations in Italy's military
power and the failure of the Autarky
programme - valuable equipment
and raw materials were wasted
1925 Battle of the Grain - aimed
to increase grain production so
that Italy could feed itself in
wartime. Grants were given to
farmworkers and advised them
on modern methods
Grain production increased
- 5.5 million tonnes in 1925
to 7 million tonnes in 1935.
Imports dropped by 75%
Propaganda
Wheat production -
increased by 100%
between 1929-39, the
Battle of Grain
appeared successful
5,000km of railways built
1925-40 - showed
strength of industry
Employed a huge civil service,
protected the middle class
from poverty. Dopolavoro -
distracted from every day life
and maintained Fascist
popularity during WII
National holidays introduced 1938
Battle for the Marshes - Pontine
Marshes (near Rome) were a
source of malaria. These were
drained and farms were set up -
public health improved
Living Standards
Wages fell 10% 1925-38
Food prices rose steeply and
consumption of meat, fruit and
vegetables fell - middle classes did
better but most standards fell
Traditional exports (wine and olive oil)
declined - land had been turned over to
grain production. This land was
unsuitable and made farming expensive,
as well as food prices - many farm
workers lost their jobs
Industrial Control
Large shipbuilding contracts were
placed on companies - to make Italy
more self sufficient. 50% of steel
production and 80% of shipbuilding
was under government control
Corporate state (Fascist control) was
resisted by the Confindustria (big
businesses) - Mussolini did not want to
anger this group.
1927 - Labour charter drawn up
to support private ownership of
businesses - employers
controlled working and hours and
didn't have to give holiday pay
Industrailists - supported Mussolini, he
took a non-threatening stance towards
them. They enjoyed power and
independence and ignored Corporations
Mussolini feared alienating big
businesses - Ministry of
Corporations became weak and
ineffective, workers had little choice
in labour disputes