The year 1932 in Italy corresponds to the tenth year of the Fascist regime under Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and King Victor Emmanuel III. It was a period marked by the peak of the Great Depression in Italy, the consolidation of the Fascist dictatorship, and significant cultural and sporting achievements.
Political Events
- January 1: The first issue of Quaderni di Giustizia e Libertà, an antifascist publication, appeared in Paris.
- January 4: A convention was signed between Italy and Turkey.
- January 13: Fascist police suppressed the Turin group of Giustizia e Libertà.
- January 19: Italian troops seized the oasis of Kufra in Libya, a center of resistance.
- February 11: Pope Pius XI received Mussolini at the Vatican on the third anniversary of the Lateran Treaty, marking a rapprochement between the Church and Fascism.
- July 20: A cabinet reshuffle took place; Dino Grandi resigned as Foreign Minister and Giuseppe Bottai as Corporations Minister, with Mussolini personally assuming both portfolios.
- October: The tenth anniversary of the March on Rome was celebrated with a major propaganda campaign, including the Exhibition of the Fascist Revolution (opened October 27), the opening of Via dell'Impero (October 28), and the Foro Mussolini (November 5).
- November 5: An amnesty granted for the Decennial led to the release of approximately two thousand political prisoners from jail and internment.
- December 17: Party membership in the National Fascist Party was made mandatory for public employees.
Economic Conditions
The Great Depression reached its peak in Italy in 1932. Officially, one million workers were unemployed—about a quarter of the workforce—though the real figure was likely higher. Industrial production stood at 85% of its 1929 level. The Fascist regime responded with a policy of dirigisme, encouraging corporate fusions and business alliances (Law 834) and undertaking public works projects that, while widely publicized, proved insufficient to resolve the crisis. The state deficit rose from 504 million lire in the 1931 budget year to 3.587 billion lire. The three main Italian shipping lines merged to form Italia Flotte Riunite, and the ICO company became Olivetti S.p.A., introducing the MP1, the first portable typewriter.
Culture
Notable cultural works published in 1932 include La dottrina del fascismo (The Doctrine of Fascism) by Giovanni Gentile and Benito Mussolini, Colloqui con Mussolini by Emil Ludwig and Mussolini, and Benedetto Croce's Storia d'Europa nel secolo decimonono. The Italian Psychoanalytic Society was founded by Edoardo Weiss. The first issues of the weeklies La settimana enigmistica and Topolino (the Italian Donald Duck/Mickey Mouse comic magazine) appeared. Architect Giuseppe Terragni began construction of the Casa del Fascio in Como. The First International Film Festival was held in Venice in September.
Sport
At the 1932 Summer Olympics, Italy won 12 gold, 12 silver, and 12 bronze medals. Notable victories included Juventus winning the Serie A championship, Bologna FC winning the Mitropa Cup, and Tazio Nuvolari winning the Grand Prix season in an Alfa Romeo.
Notable Births and Deaths
Notable births in 1932 include philosopher and novelist Umberto Eco (January 5), football player and coach Cesare Maldini (February 5), and fashion designer Valentino (May 11). Notable deaths include the socialist politician Filippo Turati (March 29), mathematician Giuseppe Peano (April 20), anarchist Errico Malatesta (July 22), and former Prime Minister Paolo Boselli (March 10).
