Influence of fascist culture

Question 1

What did the PNF say that art should do?

Answer 1

Serve the interests of the fascist state and to help to create and maintain the fascist myths and images

Question 2

What was created in 1926?

Answer 2

National Institute of Fascist Culture

Question 3

What did the the National Institute of Fascist Culture do?

Answer 3

• Artists and intellectuals organized into particular organizations
• organized cultural events, free concerts and publications that would encourage mass participation

Question 4

What did the PNF fund and create?

Answer 4

The Italian film industry and created a state of the art film production complex in the late 1930’s

Question 5

What was the Exhibition of the Fascist revolution 1932?

Answer 5

celebrate 10 years of fascist rule and had over 4 million visits

Question 6

Did Mussolini try to control art?

Answer 6

• No
• much fascists art was quite modern
• had to glorify fascism

Question 7

What happened to architecture?

Answer 7

new fascist buildings modelled on neo-classical Roman style

Question 8

What happened to theatre?

Answer 8

Forzano produced 3 plays that providing the story of 3 great patriotic leaders who the audience were encouraged to link to Mussolini e.g. Napoleon and Caesar

Question 9

What did films do?

Answer 9

• made to glorify fascism and its achievements
• e.g. Pilot and siege of Alcazar

Question 10

How did this help Mussolini control the population?

Answer 10

• reinforce fascist myths and images
• achieve mass participation in fascist events
• mass exposure to fascist ideology
• prevent expression of criticism/alternative narrative through art
• boost image of Mussolini

Question 11

How successful was this policy?

Answer 11

• 87% of the box office takings in Italy came from the showing of Hollywood films
• No coherent focus with a key message
• lacked intellectual people e.g. D’Annunzio who could inspire people
• No successful in transforming Italian people into loyal fascists