social policies in fascist italy

name 5 ways m used propaganda

1. newspapers

2. radio

3. cinema

4. posters

5. rallies and sport

explain how newspapers were used for propaganda

• 1923- law passed which made prefects responsible for censorship

• 1926- last opposition parties had been banned including avanti!

• state controlled what the papers did and didn’t say and mussolini personality edited them himself
  → reports about crime, disasters and unemployment were forbidden
  → press offices sent out correct versions of events

• most foreign papers were banned 

• 1926- all journalists had to be registered with fascist party to allow full control

name 4 weaknesses of newspapers as a form of propaganda

1. vatican’s newspaper osservatore romano grew in circulation from 20,000 to 250,000 by late 1930s

2. fascist newspapers only had 12.5% circulation by 1930s, other percent was non-politics related (like sports)

3. 40% can’t read → messages didn’t really reach south

4. still some underground anti fascists papers still there

when was the law passed to make prefects responsible for censorship?

1926

when were opposition newspapers banned?

1926

what % circulation did fascist newspapers have by 1930?

12.5% (1/8)

what was the vaticans paper called? what was the circulation in 1922 and in 1930s?

osservatore romano
1922- 20,000

1930s- 250,000

when did journalists have to be registered with fascists?

1926

what % couldn’t read?

40%

explain how radio was used for propaganda

• initially neglected but became state ran in 1924

• music (classical and jazz) and drama was played with 2 hours of official fascist broadcasts - increased in 30s

• played mussolini’s speeches live to be broadcasted publicly and privately 

• 1930s- gave radios to school

name 2 limitations of using radio as a form of propaganda

1. private listeners could access foreign radios like the BBC or vatican broadcasts

2. 5 million approx listeners by 1938 privately with a 43 million population

   → counterpoint: also broadcasted publicly though

name 1 strength for using radio as a form of propaganda

OND ran community listening meetings to spread fascist ideas to illiterate 

when did state start to run radios?

1924

how many hours of official fascist broadcasts were played per day?

2 hours

how many listeners of radio 1938? how many was in the population?

5 million

43 million

when were radios given to schools?

1930s

how was cinema used as propaganda?

• 1924- LUCE was created to produce documentaries and news reels to play before main film:
  -news from abroad
  -sports
  -items about mussolini
  -happy story about animals and children

• mussolini reviewed the documentaries and newsreels before release

• 1920s- hollywood dominated cinema which went against autarky aims

• 1934- gov intervene and make more films
  → restricted hollywood imports and the IRI helped fund major film studies in 1937

name 3 strengths of cinema as propaganda

1. IRI helping to fund helped revival of domestically produced films

2. had propaganda impact as the films stressed Italy as a modern and technologically advanced country with social harmony → NOT EXPLICIT PROPAGANDA THOUGH

3. increasing numbers of italians went to the cinema as the OND showed films and mobile cinemas toured the south

name a limitation of using cinema as propaganda

1938- ¾ of ticket sales were to see american films still
snow white was most popular

mussolini’s favourite film was laurel and hardy

when was luce created?

1924

when did hollywood dominate cinema? when did gov try to intervene with this?

1920s

1934

when did IRI help fund major film studios?

1937

how many ticket sales for american films in 1938?

3/4

how were posters used as propaganda

• visual means of propaganda and were plastered on tons of walls

• had simple slogans with striking images of M 

• displayed italian ideals in pictures like masculinity and strength for men and humble, modest and well-rounded women 

• easy to understand

name a strength of posters as propaganda

40% of italians were illiterate (mainly in south) so this was an easy, cheap and constant way to get fascist messages across for people who couldn’t read papers, use radio or go to the cinema

how were rallies and sport used as propaganda?

• mass parades were done to encourage discipline, national identity and impress observers/different countries with the amount of support for the fascist regime

• imitated parades like soviet may day
  → rally done to celebrate march on rome anniversary

• sport was encouraged for the same reason to help discipline and national pride

• national team successes were a way to increase support for italy

• regime benefitted from Carnera being the world heavyweight boxing champ from 1933-1935

• won world cup final in 1934 and 1938 (recieved a telegram before 38 saying ‘win or die’)

name 2 strengths of sports and rallies as propaganda

• made italy look like a strong and united country

• promoted health = promotes strong united country

who was the world heavy weight boxing champ and when?

carnera

1933-1935

when did italy win world cup final?

1934 and 1938

name 2 ways the catholics and liberals had a positive relationship before 1922

1904- pope allowed catholics to vote in national elections where socialists could win

1909- catholics could vote in 150 constituencies and run in elections

name 3 ways the catholic and liberal relationship was weak before 1922?

1. hostile towards the liberals due to their anti-clericalism 

2. 1871- annoyed due to the papal states being taken 
   → pope was given the vatican city but that was too small

3. pope told catholics not to vote/take part in elections

4. formed PPI in 1919

name 3 motivations for good relations with catholics for fascists

1. popularity
   most powerful institution in italy
   90% catholic → 50% devout

2. reputation
   would make him appear less radical/revolutionary which would win over conservatives

3. ppi
   ppi won 20% vote in 1919 and came second after fascists in 1924
   no voting/opposition after 1926 due to leggi fascistissime

when did pope allow catholics to vote in national elections where socialists could win?

1904

when could catholics vote and run in elections? how many constituencies?

1909

150 constituencies 

when were papal states taken from the king?

1871

when was the ppi formed?

jan 1919

what % catholic and devout in 1922?

90% catholic

50% devout

how did ppi  do in 1919 and 1924 elections?

1919- 20% vote

1924- 2nd after fascists

explain how financial deals were used with the catholics

1923- increased clerical salaries

1923- helped save bank of rome from going bankrupt which managed assets of the catholic church

1920s- gave 3 million lire to fix damaged churches

1928- lateran pact:

• 1929- 750 million lire plus ???? million in bonds given as compensation for loss of papal states 
  → largest holder of state bonds

• made vatican a full state with sovereign rights

wjhen were clerical salaries increased?

1923

how much money given to catholics as compensation for loss of papal states? when?

1929- 750 million + ??? in bonds

when did mussolini help save a bank? what bank? why did this benefit the catholics?

1923

bank of rome

managed catholic finances 

how much money given to repair churches? when?

3 million lire 

1920s

explain social deals that had been made with the catholics

1923- religious education reinstated in elementary schools
→ 1929 (lateran pact) put it in secondary school

1923- crucifix reinstated in schools and courtrooms

1928: lateran pact:

1. church control over divorce

2. church marriages recognised by the state

3. adultery and abortion made illegal

4. contraception restricted

priests and party officials campaigned together against modern dancing, gambling and makeup
→ “for pope and duce” became a slogan

→ clergy did fascist salutes

name 2 issues with the relationship between church and fascism

1. 1931- catholic action
   - CA was expanding role into areas that the state wanted to control
   - as a result, the state shut off several branches of it
   - pope publicly criticised using an encyclical paper for foreign papers
   - agreement made which said CA would run religious, educational and recreational activities (NOT SPORT)

2. 1938- anti-semetism laws

• pope and priests publicly criticised government for forbidding marriages between jews and italians → some jews had converted to catholicism

• pople denounced the laws and said italy shouldn’t follow germany

• 1939- pope wrote an encyclical letter condemming the racism and anti-semitism
  → he died before it was published and successor chose not to

name 3 things fascists gained from deals with church and 1 limitation

1. church support made him seem popular and gave international respect

2. regime’s ally

3. CA dissolved more so ONB could work

issue: radical fascists considered pacts as a betrayal as the were anti-clerical

name 3 things catholics gained from deals with fascists and 1 limitation

1. influence over government

2. financial gains

3. role of church confirmed in italian lives

issue: some clergy disliked it- 3000 priests in milan protested

name 2 values the church and fascism had in common

1. women’s role

2. anti-socialism

name 2 values the church and fascism differed on

1. human life

2. military

FUNDAMENTAL PHILOSOPHICAL COMPATIBILITY 

when was religious education reinstated in elementary schools

1923

when was the lateran pact

1928

when were cruixifices reinstated in schools and courtrooms

1923

when was the issue with catholic action

1931

when was the issue with the anti semitism laws? when did the pope write an encyclical letter?

1938

1939

what was education like in liberal italy

• orlando laws- made education free up to 12
  → not allowed to work until 12

• national curriculum made daneo-credaro

• communes organised adult education

what were literacy rates like in 1901, 1921 and 1931

1901- 48% illiterate

1921- 27% (21% down 20 years)

1931- 21% (6% in 10 years/12% in 20 years)

FOCUSED ON FASCISTISATION RATHER THAN EDUCATION

name 3 aims mussolini had for the youth

discipiline/obedience

loyalty to italy

national pride

aggression

belief in mussolini

name 3 ways education changed

1. cult of personality

2. curriculum changes

3. control over teachers

name 3 ways cult of personality was in schools

1. portrait of m provided in all classrooms next to the king (chosen by god)

2. notebook with m on the cover (showed he was always there)

3. given a free copy of the life of mussolini (emphasised his achievements and power)

when did m raise leaving age? to what?

1923

12→14

name 5 curriculum changes under m

1. 1923- compulsory RE in elementary schools- 1929, also in secondary schools

2. 1926- 101/317 history texts banned
   → 1928: single government textbook was introduced which covered all elementary subjects ‘libro unico’
   → stated that britian and france needed italy’s help to bail them out in ww1

3. 1935- military education introduced in secondary schools

4. 1939- anti-semitism teaching introduced (bottai’s school charter)

when was re made compulsory for elementary and secondary?

elementary- 1923

secondary- 1929

how many history books banned? when?

1926- 101/317

when was the libro unico introduced?

1928

when were military education lessons brought in?

1936

when were anti semitism lessons introduced

1939- bottai’s school charter

name 3 ways mussolini controlled teachers

1. 1925- teachers with views that were seen as incompatiable to fascism could be fired

2. 1929- teachers had to take an oath of loyalty 
   → 1931-1932: professors had to take an oath of loyalty to fascism (11/1250 refused and others crossed fingers)
   → by 1933 all new teachers and professors had to be party members

3. 1938- dismissed jewish teachers and students

when were teachers with views incompatiable to fascism get dismissed?

1925

when did teachers have to take an oath of loyalty? when did professors? how many professsors refused?

1929- teachers

1931-1932- professors with 11/1250 refusing

when did all teachers and professors have to be party members by

1933

when were jewish teachers/students dismissed

1938

which types of schools were easier to control?

elementary as teachers were younger and easier to replace

secondary and university teachers weren’t comitted to fascism

how did fascists feel about universities?

left alone unless hostile to fascism

people in university were likely to be fascist by late 1930s so didn’t need indoctrinating

what was the original plan for fascist schools? why did that limit the education?

gentile

education was aimed at the middle class→ philosophy, latin and classics despite the poor literacy rate

SACKED FOR NOT BEING FASCIST ENOUGH

bottai came in in 1939 and focused education on technical skills and fascism but that was cut short by the war

explain how youth groups were used generally

• onb (ballia) was formed as a party organisation in 1926
  → taken over by education ministry in 1929 (which was then criticsed for not being fascist enough)

• ONB membership was age 6-18

• had GUF for university students which was party ran

• 1937- all youth movements became covered by GIL which placed ONB

when was the onb formed? when was it taken over by education ministry?

1926

1929

what was membership of onb

6-18

what age was guf?

university

when were all youth movements taken over? by what?

GIL in 1937

what activities did boys do in ONB

• sports (fitness, skiing, riding, military drills)

• competitions

• summer camps (700,000 attended for 2 weeks)

• local and national competitions

how many people attended summer camps? for how long?

700,000 for 2 weeks

what activities did girls do in ONB

• singing

• sewing

• childcare

• charity work

• doll drills

what competition did the fascists have to ONB

• catholic youth groups → catholic schools did enforce ONB membership until 1930s

• catholic boy scouts were dissolved in 1928

• catholic action was heavily restricted and wasn’t allowed to duplicate any ONB activites

• 1 million members

when was catholic boy scouts dissolved

1928

how many members in CA

1 million

how did mussolini enforce people to go to ONB? what is an issue with that?

1928- decree passed saying only youths in ONB could join the fascist party

1935- made membership compulsory 

issue: lots of children didn’t want to be there. 4 million members was when fascism in the ONB peaked but it went up to 8 million

teachers were urged to be ONB leaders and tied it closely to the school system

issue: mainly middle class boys as poor boys and most girls left school at 12-14 so not as much fascistisation in the south

when was a decree to say only youths in ONB can join fascist party made?

1928

when was membership made compulsory?

1935

how many members of ONB?

8 million

name a strength of how mussolini fascistised the youth

constant exposure to fascism during formative years for italians born between 1910 and 1930 (had at least 5 years of education)
→ strengthened loyalty and dedication to regime

issue: fighting age (30) haven’t experienced as much so morale isn’t as high for those soldiers in ww2

explain the ideal fascist woman

no cosmetics

well-rounded (not thin)

skirt 10cm max from ankle

flat shoes

skirts

long sleeves 

obedient to husband and state

clean kitchen

not intellecutal

lots of children

name 5 ways fascists controlled women

1. employment

2. education

3. personal life

4. politics

5. battle for births

explain how fascists controlled women through employment

• wwi increased women’s employment which conservatives disliked so measures were taken to restrict it (especially after rise in unemployment in 1927)

• unnatural occupations (e.g. teachers and office workers) were restricted
  → 1920s, women restricted from certain teaching jobs

• 1933- imposed limit of 10% on offices’ employment of women in state jobs
  → 1938- extended to private firms (but reversed during the war)

• didn’t challenge women’s role in agriculture (millions still worked)

• however they understood some women had to be in work so laws were put in place to protect them at work 

name an issue with the fascist control of women at work

women workers in industry only dropped 10% from 1911-1936

when was the rise of unemployment?

1927

when was the limit imposed on women’s employment in private and in public firms? what %?

1933- public

1938- private

10%

how were women controlled through education?

• seen as training women to stay at home and be effective mothers/wives 

• women were excluded from learning history, philosophy, latin and other prestigious subjects → taught maths and science

• LINK TO ONB

name 2 issues with controlling education for women

1. lack of job opportunities led to more women at uni 
   → 1914- 6% / 1938- 15%

2. not effective in peasant women as they left school at 12-14 

how many women in uni in 1914 and 1938

1914- 6%

1938- 15%

how were women controlled in sports?

for: promotes health, discipline and national pride

against: distracts from children, encourages lesbianism, female liberation and causes infertility