The Fascist State π€²ππ¨πΏβπ¦°π§πΆβπ«οΈπΆβπ«οΈποΈποΈπ©πΎβπ¦²π©πΎβ𦲠Flashcards
Why did Mussolini establish youth groups?
To create a loyal generation of Italians devoted to fascism that would later play a key role in the rebuilding and power of Italy
How many fascist youth groups were there up until 1924, how many were involved?
3 Fascist groups had been set up:
- December 1921: The Fascist Youth Front was set up for boys aged 14-17
- After Mussoliniβs appointment as PM, the Gruppi Universitari Fascisti was set up in March 1923
- Finally, after this, the Balilla was set up for children ages 8-14
Only 3000 children were involved with fascist youth groups by 1924 - as they were poorly organised and competed with other political youth groups at the time
What Happened to youth groups as Mussolini consolidated his dictatorship?
The youth became more formalised and organised. On the 3rd April 1926 - The Opera Nazionale Balilla (ONB) was created by formal decree, in aims to provide physical and moral benefit for the youth for ages 8-18.
In 1934, how was the Balilla reconstructed?
It was reconstructed into 3 groups:
- Figli della lupa (sons of the she wolf) 6-8
- Balilla 8-14
- Avanguardisti 14-17
Girls also had a sespretae organisation:
Figlie Della Lupa (daughters of the she wolf) 6-8
Piccole Italiane (Little Italians) 8-13
Giovane Italliane (Young Italian women) 14-17
What controlled the onb
The party to the ministry of national education- created in 1929 to oversee education and create a loyal generation of fascists
Membership was not compulsory beyond 11 until 1939, what were consequences of not having a membership?
- Made it more difficult to enrol in further education
- Hindered employment in the civil service
- Was seen as a reason to suspect people of being anti fascists
What did being a member of the ONB otherwise provide, in terms of benefits?
The ONB provided access to special scholarships and provided access to jobs
How were the different age groups trained
8-14: They were trained in the moral and spiritual defence of the country.
14+: They were involved in gymnastic and sports programmes to prepare them physically for the military.
At 18: They had to undergo military training
Training often included marching, wrestling, shooting practice, boxing and bomb throwing .
The girls were also taught gymnastics to ensure Italy had fit mothers who would bear healthy children
What were children taught at the compulsory school for ages 6-11?
They were taught about patriotic Italian form classical Rome to the current fascist regime and were taught to make links between Italys heroes, especially Caesar and Mussolini. Textbooks in schools highlighted how badly the Italians were treated after the war and how fascism prevented a communist overthrow.
When were anti fascist removed as teachers?
In the 1920s
What were some changes to education?
- portrait of Mussolini in every class
- notebooks have Mussolini on front
- 1926: 101 of 317 history textbooks banned
- all dialects banned
- 1935: military education in secondary schools introduced that covered tactics and stuff
- 1936: lessons of fascist culture introduced
- 1938: anti semitism taught
Why were uni students not a prioty?
There was little to no time to indoctrinate them as they are too old. However they did introduce things like the the fascist uni youth which provided sports facilities and half price admissions to entertainments
How did Mussolini control the teachers
1929 - teachers had to take an oath of loyalty
1931 - the teachers association merged into the fascist association. Membership became compulsory in β37.
1931 - professors also had to take oath of loyalty, 11/1250 refused
1933,p - all teachers had to be party members
1934 - a fascist uniform had to be worn
1938 - Jewish teachers dismissed
What are some educational statistics?
Illiteracy was 30% in 1922. Dropped to 21% in 1931. By 1936 it was 17%
Was indoctrination of the youth successful in creating a loyal generation of fascist?
Many of the youth didnβt join the youth groups out of fascist motivation, but purely for the activities it provided, as well as providing scholarship and job opportunities.
There is also a contrast between girls and boys who took part in education post 11. Girls were less likely to do so as girls did not like the dull activities of learning how to be a mother and a survey Rome in 1937 found that girls would more like to do the physical activities that the boys were doing. The north and south also displayed considerable difference between education beyond ages 11. The south population were heavily involved in agriculture, making it hard to take part in youth groups. It can be said that the success of the ONB and indoctrination was hindered by regional and demographic differences. We can also question whether it did create a loyal generation of fascist, or whether people just joined for the benefits and activities. In the 2nd world war the soldiers consisted of fascists and anti fascists, so itβs hard to tell
What was the OND?
The Opera Nazionale Dopolavora (National Afterwork Organisation). The most successful and popular aspects of the fascist regime
When was OND formed and who controlled it?
Formed in 1925 under the control of the ministry of the national economy which later transferred to PNF control in 1927
What did the OND replace?
It replaced local socialist workers clubs
What as the aim of the OND?
It was made to boost support for the fascist regime and Mussolini by using Italian triumphs and positive Italian history. It also used sporting victories like the 1934 and 38 World Cup as well as the 32 olympics. OND helped to make fascism affect every aspect of life, making indoctrination applicable at home. The OND was not the forefront for propaganda but it was to help subtly indoctrinate the population.
What did the OND provide?
People had to pay membership fees, but the state subsidised the cost.
It provided workers with a variety of social and sporting opportunities, including bars and Bullard halls, cycling groups, football teams, libraries and radios. Each OND section had a clubhouse where these activities were provided
What kind of entertainement did the OND provide?
It provided plays and concerts as well as the showing of films for workers.
What discounts did the OND provide?
Provided discounts on rail tickets as well as other consumer benefits
What was the ONDs most popular aspect?
Subsidised holidays and excursions. It allowed workers to take their families to holidays at the beach, mountainous retreats and sporting events for practically free. This was the first example of popular mass leisure in Italy and was provided and payed for by the fascists.
How many members did OND have by 1939
4 million +
What percentages of workers were in the OND?
80% White collar workers
40% Blue Collar workers
Was the OND directly linked to fascism?
No - none of the activities and events provided directly, ideologically linked to promote fascist belief. This questions the depth of the PNFs attempt to create a loyal nations of fascists. However many people linked the OND to Mussolini and it contributed to his popular appeal.
Did people join for fascism?
No many people didnβt join due to fascist ideals, but they joined due to the mass range of services it provided
When did the PNF introduce decrees that restricted freedom of the press?
1923 and 1925 - The PNF introduced decrees that limited the freedom of the press
By 1926 they were formalised into official laws passed by the government
What could prefects of the PNF do?
They could confiscate whole editions of any newspaper, journal or magazine if it deemed to be critical or go against the fascist regime. They could also suspend publication, replace editors and shut down offending newspapers completely. Like Avanti - a socialist newspaper which was shut down by the PNF
How were journalists controlled?
They were all incorporated into a fascist union, which controlled access to jobs and promotion within the profession. This created a form of self censorship where the journalist who signed up had to write about positive things about fascism or else they would lose their job. There were instructions by Mussolini on things that should and shouldnβt be published.
What were journalists told not to print.
They were told not to print anything about crime, suicides, traffic accidents as this would disturb the fascist image of Italy, a country with no social problems
What did Mussolini prefer, banning or controlling newspaper?
Controlling: his newspaper, Popolo d italia had only 100 000 newspapers in circulation compared to 600 000 of the Vatican newspaper. Fascist newspapers accounted for 10% of the entire newspaper sales in Italy.
What was the aim of propaganda for Mussolini?
To indoctrinate and mobilise the immense support for Mussolini and help transform the Italian people into true fascist. It wanted to bring the Italian nation together through a feeling of shared patriotism of Italian history.
What was a key ideal/focus of fascist propaganda?
The symbol of Rome: The cult of Ancient Rome was popularised by fascist propaganda and it celebrated the greatness of Ancient Rome, along with its leaders and that Italians were heirs to the greatest empire in history and that it should be proud
How did the fascists promote the greatness of Ancient Rome?
- Medieval buildings destroyed so that romes classical ruins could be better displayed.
- 1937 a celebration was held for caesars 2000th anniversary. 1M+ Italians visited Rome for the celebration.
How was Mussolini linked to Rome?
He was displayed in propaganda as the heir to Augustus and thatβs he was going to rebuild Italy as a great power from the ruins and chaos of war. This was presented throughout newspapers, radio, cinemas, poster, mass rallies and sport.
What role did sport play in fascist propaganda?
It played a vital role: Italy won the 34 and 38 World Cup and the world boxing championships in 33 and 35. This success was used to demonstrate the refound greatness of Italy
When was the ministry of the press set up?
1935, but was later reformed into the ministry of popular culture.
