Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Democracy restored, 1943–46: the Allied invasion, the Republic of Saló and…
Full specification wording
Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, c1935–46: Democracy restored, 1943–46: the Allied invasion, the Republic of Saló and the government in the south; German surrender and Mussolini’s death; the outcomes of the referendum and elections 1946.
After Mussolini's deposition in July 1943, Italy split.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
After Mussolini's deposition in July 1943, Italy split. The Allies invaded the mainland in September 1943; Germany occupied the north and rescued Mussolini, who headed the puppet Republic of Saló. In the south, the king and Badoglio's government, later replaced by a series of anti-fascist coalitions, governed under Allied supervision and declared war on Germany. Resistance grew in the north. Germany surrendered in Italy in April 1945, and Mussolini was captured and killed by partisans. After the war, Italy faced a choice between monarchy and republic. A referendum on 2 June 1946 rejected the monarchy, and elections to a Constituent Assembly gave the Christian Democrats the largest share, with the Socialists and Communists also strong. These outcomes shaped the new democratic republic.
What earns the marks
- Explains the Allied invasion of mainland Italy from September 1943 and the division of the country between Allied-controlled south and German-occupied north.
- Describes the Republic of Saló as a German puppet state under Mussolini, and contrasts it with the royal government and anti-fascist parties in the south.
- Explains the German surrender in Italy in April 1945 and Mussolini's death at the hands of partisans.
- Analyses the referendum of 2 June 1946, in which voters rejected the monarchy in favour of a republic.
- Explains the 1946 elections to the Constituent Assembly, noting the strength of the Christian Democrats, Socialists and Communists and the implications for the new republic.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming the Republic of Saló was an independent Italian state.
Put it right by explaining it was a German-controlled puppet regime.
Confusing the 1946 referendum with the 1946 Constituent Assembly elections.
Put it right by treating them as separate votes on the same day.
Believing the monarchy was abolished immediately after Mussolini's fall in 1943.
Put it right by noting the referendum took place in June 1946.
Exam tips
- Distinguish clearly between the south under royal/Allied control and the north under German occupation and the Saló Republic.
- Use the dates of the German surrender and Mussolini's death to anchor the end of the war in Italy.
- When discussing 1946, separate the referendum result from the party strengths in the Constituent Assembly elections.
Try the lesson
The start of the Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, c1935–46: Democracy restored, 1943–46: the Allied invasion, the Republic of Saló and the government in the south; German surrender and Mussolini’s death; the outcomes of the referendum and elections 1946. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the outcome of the Italian referendum of 1946?
Listen
After Mussolini's deposition in July 1943, Italy split. The Allies invaded the mainland in September 1943; Germany occupied the north and rescued Mussolini, who headed the puppet Republic of Saló. In the south, the king and Badoglio's government, later replaced by a series of anti-fascist coalitions, governed under Allied supervision and declared war on Germany. Resistance grew in the north. Germany surrendered in Italy in April 1945, and Mussolini was captured and killed by partisans. After the war, Italy faced a choice between monarchy and republic. A referendum on 2 June 1946 rejected the monarchy, and elections to a Constituent Assembly gave the Christian Democrats the largest share, with the Socialists and Communists also strong. These outcomes shaped the new democratic republic. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains the Allied invasion of mainland Italy from September 1943 and the division of the country between Allied-controlled south and German-occupied north. Describes the Republic of Saló as a German puppet state under Mussolini, and contrasts it with the royal government and anti-fascist parties in the south. Explains the German surrender in Italy in April 1945 and Mussolini's death at the hands of partisans. Analyses the referendum of 2 June 1946, in which voters rejected the monarchy in favour of a republic. A common slip: Assuming the Republic of Saló was an independent Italian state. Instead, explaining it was a German-controlled puppet regime. Exam tip: Distinguish clearly between the south under royal/Allied control and the north under German occupation and the Saló Republic.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Allied invasion of mainland Italy and division of the country
- 2. Referendum rejected the monarchy in favour of a republic
- 3. German surrender in Italy and Mussolini killed by partisans
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Division of Italy after 1943
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Puppet rule and resistance in the north
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
End of the war and Mussolini's death
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Birth of the Italian Republic
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Division of Italy after 1943
- After the Allied invasion of the mainland in September 1943, the country split between an Allied-controlled south and a German-occupied north.
- Puppet rule and resistance in the north
- Germany occupied the north and rescued Mussolini, who headed the puppet Republic of Saló, while resistance grew there.
- End of the war and Mussolini's death
- Germany surrendered in Italy in April 1945, and Mussolini was captured and killed by partisans.
- Birth of the Italian Republic
- A referendum on 2 June 1946 rejected the monarchy, and elections to a Constituent Assembly shaped the new democratic republic.
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