How did Mussolini use How did Mussolini use propaganda to strengthen propaganda to strengthen

his regime?his regime?

Objectives:Objectives:

a)a) What were the aims and What were the aims and methods of Fascist methods of Fascist propaganda?propaganda?

b)b) How did Mussolini use culture How did Mussolini use culture for propaganda purposes?for propaganda purposes?

How did Mussolini use propaganda How did Mussolini use propaganda to strengthen his regime?to strengthen his regime?

How did propaganda develop in Fascist How did propaganda develop in Fascist Italy?Italy?

SummarySummary

Mussolini = journalist Mussolini = journalist Newspapers were the most Newspapers were the most important information and propaganda instrumentimportant information and propaganda instrument Radio and film = Radio and film = slow startslow start but then = major but then = major propaganda tool especially propaganda tool especially newsreelsnewsreels Enthusiasm Enthusiasm vast vast paradesparades and and sportingsporting activities activities

TechnologyTechnology Difficult for fascist regimes to exist without Difficult for fascist regimes to exist without technology?technology? Microphone and loud speaker = voice to the Microphone and loud speaker = voice to the massesmasses Architecture Architecture used to impress people = reinforced used to impress people = reinforced concrete, improved transportation for massive concrete, improved transportation for massive pieces of stone pieces of stone Electrification, planes, railways, cars and tanks all Electrification, planes, railways, cars and tanks all in their way gave added power to the regimein their way gave added power to the regime

How did propaganda develop in Fascist How did propaganda develop in Fascist Italy?Italy?

AnalysisAnalysis Development = gradual processDevelopment = gradual process Press office Press office graduallygradually extended its original role in extended its original role in

the 1930s to cover radio, film and the 1930s to cover radio, film and eventuallyeventually all all aspects of aspects of culture.culture.

1937 Ministry of Popular Culture 1937 Ministry of Popular Culture nicknames nicknames ‘minculpop’ ‘minculpop’ limited effect? Due to bureaucratic limited effect? Due to bureaucratic inefficiencyinefficiency

Failure to win popular support for German Failure to win popular support for German alliance and government’s anti-Semitic policies in alliance and government’s anti-Semitic policies in the late 1930sthe late 1930s

__________________________________________________________ Most Italians believed, and some still do despite Most Italians believed, and some still do despite

evidence to the contrary, that Fascism reduced evidence to the contrary, that Fascism reduced crime, vice and povertycrime, vice and poverty

3. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major 3. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of propaganda in spreading the Fascist message?means of propaganda in spreading the Fascist message?

NewspapersNewspapers• By 1926 the last opposition party papers suppressed• Many bought by fascist sympathisers• Hostile editors or journalists could be arrested or replaced• Most popular journalists remained in their posts = reinforced readers acceptance of what they said.• Govt. grants favoured journalists/papers• State controlled what papers said• Most censorship by editors• Reporting of crime, disasters, unemployment, disorders etc forbidden• Most foreign papers banned• One press agency = run by a fascist• Compulsory – Journalists = registered by state and join fascist organisation

________________________________________• Fascist party papers = no more than 10% of overall circulation. Vatican’s paper increased it’s daily circulation. Milan’s paper = 5 times Fascist circulation• Underground anti-fascist papers continued

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of

propaganda in spreading the Fascist message?propaganda in spreading the Fascist message? RadioRadio

Neglected initially, post 1924 state run Neglected initially, post 1924 state run rapidly expanding radio networkrapidly expanding radio network

Music – classical, US jazz, and dramaMusic – classical, US jazz, and drama Mussolini’s major speeches broadcast Mussolini’s major speeches broadcast

live live large loudspeakers – piazzas large loudspeakers – piazzas Private radio listeners – foreign Private radio listeners – foreign

programmes, BBC, Spain programmes, BBC, Spain Radios expensive .’. Few had themRadios expensive .’. Few had them More listened in publicMore listened in public 1930s govt. provided sets for a new 1930s govt. provided sets for a new

rural agency (ERR) – schoolsrural agency (ERR) – schools OND ran community listening OND ran community listening

meetings which helped spread fascist meetings which helped spread fascist ideas, especially in rural areas and to ideas, especially in rural areas and to the illiteratethe illiterate

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of

propaganda in spreading the Fascist message?propaganda in spreading the Fascist message? CinemaCinema

Govt. slow to realise it’s potentialGovt. slow to realise it’s potential 1924 LUCE created – produce newsreels & 1924 LUCE created – produce newsreels &

documentaries. M previewed them!documentaries. M previewed them! Shown before main filmShown before main film Censored Italian 7 imported filmsCensored Italian 7 imported films Autarky principle for film industry too – Autarky principle for film industry too –

restricted Hollywood imports – subsidiesrestricted Hollywood imports – subsidies 1937 IRI – Hollywood by the Tiber! Revival 1937 IRI – Hollywood by the Tiber! Revival

of domestic filmsof domestic films Most films escapist/historical drama, few Most films escapist/historical drama, few

explicitly fascist – few propaganda filmsexplicitly fascist – few propaganda films Cinema offered escapism, false sense of Cinema offered escapism, false sense of

security and national pridesecurity and national pride

What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of What were the strengths and weaknesses of the major means of

propaganda in spreading the Fascist message?propaganda in spreading the Fascist message? PostersPosters

Most visual means of Most visual means of propagandapropaganda

Many walls plastered by Many walls plastered by the party and govt the party and govt agencies with simple agencies with simple slogans and striking slogans and striking images of the Duce.images of the Duce.

Important as there was Important as there was considerable illiteracy.considerable illiteracy.

Occasionally, opposition Occasionally, opposition posters were displayed posters were displayed briefly, but generally the briefly, but generally the govt. had a MONOPOLY of govt. had a MONOPOLY of this important medium.this important medium.

Mass activitiesMass activities

The Italian team The Italian team that went on to win that went on to win the world cup, the world cup, 1934. The sign at 1934. The sign at the back of the the back of the stadium reads ‘Buy stadium reads ‘Buy Italian products’Italian products’

How did Mussolini use culture How did Mussolini use culture for propaganda purposes?for propaganda purposes?

Objectives:Objectives:

1. Why was there 1. Why was there considerable cultural considerable cultural diversity in Fascist diversity in Fascist Italy?Italy?

2. How effectively 2. How effectively were the Arts and were the Arts and culture used for culture used for propaganda propaganda purposes?purposes?

How did Mussolini use culture for propaganda How did Mussolini use culture for propaganda purposes?purposes?

What is culture?What is culture? Elitist works of artElitist works of art High culture - intellectual discussion.High culture - intellectual discussion. Mass culture – popular customs and behaviourMass culture – popular customs and behaviour Mussolini most concerned with mass cultureMussolini most concerned with mass culture Modern means of communication = more Modern means of communication = more

opportunity to reach and influence masses opportunity to reach and influence masses more effectively.more effectively.

High culture used as a means of propaganda High culture used as a means of propaganda & to increase the external prestige of the & to increase the external prestige of the Fascist stateFascist state

Was there an official view of Fascist Art?Was there an official view of Fascist Art?1. What do sources 6.19 & 6.20 tell us about 1. What do sources 6.19 & 6.20 tell us about

the Fascist regime’s view of art?the Fascist regime’s view of art?

ControlControl The government tried to control art through The government tried to control art through

promoting competitions, at regional, national and promoting competitions, at regional, national and international level. international level.

Winners received govt. funds and commissionsWinners received govt. funds and commissions Private commissioning largely unaffected…. until Private commissioning largely unaffected…. until

late 1930s.late 1930s. Artists expected to join the Syndicate of Artists expected to join the Syndicate of

Professionals and Artists. Professionals and Artists. __________________________________________________________________

Artists were not required to subscribe to an Artists were not required to subscribe to an official view of art.official view of art.

This meant that unlike Nazi Germany, Fascist This meant that unlike Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy experienced no loss of major artists.Italy experienced no loss of major artists.

Literature, Drama & MusicLiterature, Drama & Music Less attention Less attention did not reach the did not reach the

masses. masses. Drama = minority pursuit despite efforts of Drama = minority pursuit despite efforts of

National Fascist Culture Institute. National Fascist Culture Institute. Conferences, free concerts & publications.Conferences, free concerts & publications. Music = less potential for direct Music = less potential for direct

propaganda propaganda musicians required to join musicians required to join the Fascist Union of Musicians. the Fascist Union of Musicians. Encouraged to reject foreign influences Encouraged to reject foreign influences and develop ‘cultural AUTARCHY’. and develop ‘cultural AUTARCHY’. However, considerable diversity was still However, considerable diversity was still maintained.maintained.

In theory Ministry of Popular Culture was In theory Ministry of Popular Culture was supposed to control music but in practice supposed to control music but in practice music escaped major regimentation music escaped major regimentation

Literature, Drama & Music - AnalysisLiterature, Drama & Music - Analysis

No great fascist literature was No great fascist literature was every written every written

Provided writers included Provided writers included nothing directly hostile to the nothing directly hostile to the regime, they were left free, regime, they were left free, apart from being required to join apart from being required to join the relevant Fascist syndicate the relevant Fascist syndicate

The poet Eugenio Montale The poet Eugenio Montale probably spoke for many when probably spoke for many when he explained,he explained,

‘ ‘ I never was Fascist, nor did I I never was Fascist, nor did I sing to Fascism. Nor however, sing to Fascism. Nor however, did I write poems that might did I write poems that might appear to oppose that pseudo-appear to oppose that pseudo-revolution’revolution’

Philosophy and Intellectual IdeasPhilosophy and Intellectual Ideas

Mussolini was particularly concerned to develop a Mussolini was particularly concerned to develop a philosophy of Fascism. He considered this would philosophy of Fascism. He considered this would boost the regime’s international reputation, and boost the regime’s international reputation, and help establish a new Fascist elite.help establish a new Fascist elite.

Communism = Writings of Marx and Lenin. Nazism Communism = Writings of Marx and Lenin. Nazism = Mein Kampf. Fascism = nothing!= Mein Kampf. Fascism = nothing!

Mussolini wanted to form a clear doctrine of Mussolini wanted to form a clear doctrine of Fascism.Fascism.

1925 over 200 intellectuals met at Bologna to 1925 over 200 intellectuals met at Bologna to produce the Manifesto of Fascist intellectuals. produce the Manifesto of Fascist intellectuals. ‘Without fascism there can be no true culture!’ ‘Without fascism there can be no true culture!’ Counter Manifesto declared fascism and culture Counter Manifesto declared fascism and culture incompatible.incompatible.

Philosophy and Intellectual Ideas - AnalysisPhilosophy and Intellectual Ideas - Analysis The attempt to intellectualise the diverse & The attempt to intellectualise the diverse &

contradictory ideas in the Fascist movement had contradictory ideas in the Fascist movement had little impactlittle impact..

Amongst the educated, Fascism was seen primarily Amongst the educated, Fascism was seen primarily as a vehicle for as a vehicle for career advancementcareer advancement rather than rather than intellectual inspiration.intellectual inspiration.

Most intellectuals were Most intellectuals were not committednot committed Fascists Fascists Famous philosopher Croce retained his influence – Famous philosopher Croce retained his influence –

critical of regime – government took little action.critical of regime – government took little action. Catholic ChurchCatholic Church still influential still influential student’s student’s

federation & Catholic University in Milan.federation & Catholic University in Milan. Italian intelligentsia, though politically conformist, Italian intelligentsia, though politically conformist,

did not become intellectually engaged with the did not become intellectually engaged with the regime. regime.

The historian Zaggario has argue that The historian Zaggario has argue that ‘‘Italian academic culture was largely Italian academic culture was largely impervious (resistant) to Fascistisation’ impervious (resistant) to Fascistisation’