In 1925 and 1926, Mussolini created a series of laws that strengthened his authority. Any civil servant who showed independence was dismissed. To gain a strangle hold over the economy, he set up a corporation for every profession. Each member of the corporation paid their dues and took their orders from appointed officials. The system was terribly corrupt. Taps were put into buildings and never connected to a water source because the money for the pipes was taken by party members.

In order to create a truce with Pope Pius XI who had previously criticized him, Mussolini put crucifixes back in schools and courts. He also finally had a wedding ceremony with Rachele Milanese. Vatican City was made independent and received nearly two billion lire a year in support. Italians rejoiced that the Church and their leader had made peace.

To maintain his power in the future, Mussolini banned two thirds of the history textbooks in Italy and started young Fascist programs that children joined starting at age four. By adulthood, they were Fascists willing to die for the cause. Sport was emphasized to show the world through the olympics the superiority of Fascism. In 1933, Primo Carnera became the world heavy-weight boxing champion much to Mussolini's joy.

Economic troubles were regarded as battles. When the lira faced huge devaluation following the Wall Street crash and America's consequential recall of foreign loans, Mussolini ordered workers to take a pay cut to save the lira.

Notoriously late trains were made to run on time. New highways were built along with gloriously high government buildings. In 1927 and 1928, Major de Bernardi set world speed records for his flights in a seaplane powered by a Fiat motor. Mussolini declared that Italy's population should increase from 40 million to 60 million by the 1950's and to encourage as such, bachelors were heavily taxed and large families were rewarded. All this, however, was just for show. In reality, few real problems, such as the high illiteracy rate, were dealt with.

After Hitler came to power in 1933, Mussolini signed a peace agreement with Germany. On one hand, he welcomed another Fascist leader, but on the other he feared a rivalry. He wanted to maintain his northern Austrian border and feared Hitler might overtake Austria and claim the land as his own. When Dollfuss, Austria's Chancellor, was assassinated by Nazi thugs, Italy swiftly sent troops to the frontier. Hitler backed down and Mussolini's prestige grew.