Press control, censorship and propaganda

Question 1

How did the censorship of press win support?

Answer 1

• Encouraged a positive image of himself and fascism

Question 2

What did prefects of the fascism regime now have the power to do?

Answer 2

• Confiscate whole editions of any newspaper, journal or magazine that produced harmful material
• Power to suspend publication - shut down offending newspapers completely (e.g. Avanti)

Question 3

Mussolini incorporated all journalists into a fascist union, how was this beneficial?

Answer 3

• Controlled access to jobs and promotion within profession
• Enforced a form of self-censorship - journalists joined with the understanding that their work was positive towards the regime

Question 4

How are examples of Mussolini controlling the works of journalists?

Answer 4

• Journalists were not to print crime, suicides or traffic accidents
• Increased subsidies for newspapers that printed positive stories

Question 5

What was Mussolini’s goal through propaganda?

Answer 5

• Manufacture a consensus through propaganda transform - Italian people into true fascists
• Unify ideals and create a shared patriotism

Question 6

How was the symbol of Rome an effective use of propaganda?

Answer 6

• Mussolini intricately linked fascism to the legendary image of Rome
• Mussolini presented himself as the heir of Augustus - lead Italy to greatness

Question 7

What are examples of promoting a strong ideal through the symbol of Rome?

Answer 7

• Medieval buildings were destroyed so that Rome’s classical buildings could be better displayed
• Classical art was promoted in galleries

Question 8

The most powerful aspect of Mussolini’s propaganda, however, was…

Answer 8

• The creation of the Cult of Il Duce

Question 9

What are examples of propaganda used to promote the Cult of Il Duce?

Answer 9

• Slogan ‘Mussolini is always right’
• ## 30,000,000 pictures of Mussolini around Italy

Question 10

How was the Cult of Il Duce effective?

Answer 10

• Meant Mussolini could unify the nation as he appealed to everybody - flexibility in his pictures
• Appeared strong and adventurous - attracted women and men

Question 11

Why was the Cult of Il Duce a limiting factor for achieving a ‘true’ fascist people?

Answer 11

• Heavy focus was on Mussolini and the PNF as opposed to the fascist ideology
• Goal of fascism was to create a more militaristic Italian culture