The Italian economic battles were a series of economic policies undertaken by the
National Fascist Party in
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
during the 1920s and 1930s. They were designed to increase the potential of Italy becoming a great power by reclaiming land, placing emphasis on home-grown produce and having a strong currency.
The battles
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Battle for Grain – started in 1925; aimed to increase bread and cereal production in Italy to reduce the necessity for imports. It became the equivalent of the
Green Revolution
The Green Revolution, or the Third Agricultural Revolution, was a period during which technology transfer initiatives resulted in a significant increase in crop yields. These changes in agriculture initially emerged in Developed country , devel ...
, with 5000 new farms being built for the extra production.
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Battle for the Lira – 1926; aimed to reduce inflation and fix the
Lira
Lira is the name of several currency units. It is the current Turkish lira, currency of Turkey and also the local name of the Lebanese pound, currencies of Lebanon and of Syrian pound, Syria. It is also the name of several former currencies, ...
at 90 to £, proving the power of the Lira and Italy
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Battle for Land – aimed to clear marshland and make it suitable for farming, as well as reclaiming land and reducing health risks
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Battle for Births – focus upon creating a larger population by encouraging women to have more children, with special incentives for those having five or more
See also
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Economy of Italy under Fascism
References
History Learning Site
{{Fascism
Economic policy in Europe
Economic history of Italy
Economics of fascism
Italian fascism