Compare and Contrast Domestic Policies Hitler and Mussolini Economic: Hitler appointed Schacht to implement policies of public

c works and deficit spending in order to stimulate the economy. Autobahn was built and money spent on re-armament. In the short term these policies were effective as unemployment fell to X% and industrial production grew. However, the economic growth cannot only be attributed to Hitlers policies as the world economy recovered shortly after Hitler came to power. In the long term unsuccessful as it was unsustainable and required war for inflow of resources that Germany lacked. Mussolini economic success was limited. For example the Battle for the Marshes, drained land, however only a fraction of the amount that was planned and it did not significantly help Italy in its ultimate aim for autarky. Battle for Grain increased the amount of grain that was produced within Italy, however the production of other agricultural products fell. E.g. olives. Battle for Lira, resulted in economic recession as the price for the exports in foreign countries increased largely. The decrease of import costs was not so effective as Mussolini began to implement policies that would make Italy more autarkic. Both aimed to have autarkic policies ultimately. Germany made agreements with countries from the South-East Europe for the trade of minerals and limited its trading partners. Italy became self-sustainable.

Social Policies: Both the Nazis and the Italian Fascists promoted nationalism and state centralism. Both encouraged a cult of Youth to indoctrinate youth with Nazi/fascist values in order to mould the minds of future generations. In Italy 40% did not join and the figures were especially low in the South, which allowed the North/South divide to remain. Youth meetings were highly militarized. In Germany millions began to join the Hitler Youth from the age of 4. Membership was made compulsory in 1936, however evidence of disillusion among member of the HJ later on Edelweiss pirates Difficult to access the effectiveness of youth propaganda, however in Germany HJ were used towards the end of the war. Hard to judge loyalty. Hitler promoted anti-Semitism and believed that only pure Aryan Germans should be part of the German Volk. No room for

disabled, asocials and non-Aryans. Mussolinis policies were flexible. 1929 agreement with Church

Political, economical