Did Mussolini bring any lasting benefits to the Italian people?
...cio Italiano di Combattimento. He organized corporations, which were forums for discussion and compromise between owners and workers, under the supervision of fascists from Mussolini’s government. In all, 22 such corporations were set up and covered all aspects of life, so there was no excuse for people to strike when their problems could be solved through a civilized manner. This establishment of the corporations is one of the main reasons that Italian industries still grew, despite the Bienno Rossa. He also encouraged businesses to invest in Albania, and eventually, Italian industries became an integral part of Albania’s economy. Land-lord absentee-ism was very popular in Italy in this era, and Mussolini was quick to take decisive action against this. When he came into power, he introduced the Battle for Grain and the Battle for Land. He drained the Pontine Marshes and created new agricultural land. His policies were successful, and crop yields doubles, however, he was criticized for using land more suited for the growth of olives and fruit to grow wheat. This was, however, in line with his policy to achieve Autarky, ‘Self Sufficiency’. He did not address the other issues, however, such as the illegal land occupations and the land-lord absentee-ism. Mussolini electrified the railway system and made trains run on time. Compared to other countries, the industries in Italy did not progress much, with a growth rate of only 0.8% between 1925 and 1940. The value of real wages fell by 10% between this period, though the Lira was re-valued. Italian industries did grow, keeping in mind the Great Depression was going on. The export of motor vehicles increased, and oil refineries were set up, along with other modern industries. Production of iron and steel almost doubled, and many Italian companies like Fiat and Pirelli reached near monopoly status. Mussolini built many motorways and invested in ocean liners aswell. Mussolini’s attempts to increase the population of Italy were, to an extent, largely unsuccessful. He introduced the Battle for Births, which aimed to increase the population of Italy by 20 million, though only managed an increase of 7.5 million, despite the tax incentives he offered. Mussolini intended to increase his military populace, and to justify the occupation of foreign lands as colonies. Mussolini organized a Fascist Militia which was funded through taxes, and this militia was loyal only to him and the Fascist party, not to the Italian state. Mussolini improved relations with the church through the Concordat in 1929, and after this, the Catholic population also recognized the Italian state, so Mussolini successfully united the people of Italy under one nation. Politically, the whole voting structure was changed by Mussolini. He passed the Acerbo Law in 1923, which changed the previous proportional representation system in parliament to the majority party automatically gaining two thirds of the seats, and the remaining parties will split up the remaining seats. This system guaranteed that the majority party would have the capability to pass any law they desired, and that there would be no blockages in the legal introductory process, or delays. Mussolini also banned all other parties from participating in politics from 1923, which further solidified his grip on the country. Italy was a fairly new state and the people were not used to the idea of democracy. Therefore, they easil...