To what extent were Mussolini's economic policies a success in the years 1925-1940?

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To what extent were Mussolini's economic policies a success in the years 1925-1940?

Devon Harper

In the years between 1925 and 1940 Mussolini introduced and continued with several economic policies such as the Battles of the Marshes and the Battle for grain. He also aimed to transform the Italian economy through the corporate state and achieve autarky. While it could be argued that many of his economic policies, such as the Battle for grain were a success, overall I would say that his policies were not very successful.

One way in which Mussolini's economic policies were a success in the years 1925 to 1940 was in achieving his aim of transforming the Italian economy via the corporate state, and the battles for grain. Throughout this time period, big business and industrialists were in favour of Mussolini because Mussolini didn't try and enforce his power over them, they enjoyed their independence and ignored the corporations. But as Mussolini feared what would happen without their support, his Ministry of Corporations became a weak organisation and workers didn't have a choice in labour disputes, which could show that the Italian economy had not been transformed, but had regressed. Furthermore, since Mussolini wanted to maintain support from big businesses and industrialists, he couldn't introduce radical policies within the corporate state, so he couldn't transform the Italian economy through the corporate state and so this aim could be classed as a failure.

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The Battle for grain was also a successful part of this aim- established in 1925, the purpose of the battle was to increase grain production so that Italy could supply itself with grain instead of relying on imports. The government gave grants to farmers for machinery and fertilisers and due to this grain production did increase from 5.5 million tonnes per year (1925) to 7 million in 1935, imports were also reduced by 75%. This was clearly a success on Mussolini's part as he appeared to have achieved this aim completely, however because of this grain price was increased in ...

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