Fascist State - Cult of il Duce, Fascist culture, Terror and Anti-semitism

Question 1

What was the most powerful and successful aspect of fascist propaganda?

Answer 1

Cult of il Duce that focused on Mussolini’s leadership, propagated through posters, cinemas, news reels and radio

Question 2

How did the Cult of il Duce portray Mussolini?

Answer 2

As a leader of immense ability who was leading Italy to greatness.
- A modern dynamic leader
- Brilliant sportsman
- Internationally respected statesman
- Superb swimmer and aviator

Question 3

What was the Fascist slogan about Mussolini

Answer 3

Mussolini is always right

Question 4

What became more pronounced as Mussolini strengthened his dictatorship?

Answer 4

His image as a lone leader above his party and nation. While the PNF and fascist ideology may not have been popular, he was

Question 5

What was a key part of the PNF’s attempted transformation of Italians into fascists?

Answer 5

Producing a cultural revolution. They made policies for artists and intellectuals so they all served the goal of the fascist state.

Question 6

National Institute of Fascist Culture

Answer 6

Created 1926 and they were organised into associations like the Fascist syndicate of artists led by Maraini. Organised cultural events, concerts and publications for Italian participation

Question 7

What architecture style did fascist culture use?

Answer 7

neo-classical roman style

Question 8

What legislation did Mussolini introduce in November 1926?

Answer 8

One that banned all other political parties and suppressed anyone who tried to protest. Death penalty reintroduced for anyone who tried to assassinate the King or Mussolini

Question 9

Special Tribunals

Answer 9

could send political dissidents into exile for an unspecified amount of time - Confino

Question 10

Political Police division

Answer 10

Formed in late 1926 under Arturo Bocchini and infiltrated and broke up antifascist organisations and had a network of spies and worked with SIM

Question 11

SIM

Answer 11

Servizi Militari Informativi Italiani

Question 12

OVRA

Answer 12

Italian secretary police formed in 1927 by Bocchini with 5000 informers

Question 13

How many jews were in italy?

Answer 13

45,000, less than 1%

Question 14

When was anti-Jewish legislation introduced?

Answer 14

1938 that forbade Italian jews from marrying pure Italians, holding public office jobs, owning more then 50 hectares of land, running businesses with over 100 employees or employing pure Italians
Foreign jews were deported

Question 15

What may have encouraged anti-Jewish policy in Italy?

Answer 15

Anti-Jewish policy of right-wing dictatorships in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania may have influenced his idea. Wanted to mirror totalitarian state of germany and needed a racial mentality.

Question 16

What did the anti Semitic policies come at the same time as?

Answer 16

Reform of customs

Question 17

Reform of customs

Answer 17

Ideological campaign that forced all civil servants to wear uniform and army to adopt goose step which Mussolini saw in germany and use the Roman Salute

Question 18

How did Italian treat the reform of customs?

Answer 18

Chose to ignore it and ridiculed it as they saw it as a pointless exercise that had no relevancy to their lives

Question 19

How did Italians treat anti-semitic policies?

Answer 19

They resented them and the pope condemned it. They saw it as a worrying sign of Italys growing weakness and subordination to german policy