Topic Seven (1.7): Use of Propaganda
Introduction
Mussolini encouraged a cult of personality that stressed his genius, his power and indispensability as a leader of the nation. Propaganda was used to bolster Mussolini’s image. In 1926, opposition newspapers were suppressed and Mussolini's own press issued the ‘official’ version of events. From 1924, the radio network was run by the state and bulletins praised Mussolini and broadcasted his speeches.
You need to judge how much all this contributed to his establishment of dictatorship. This needs to be balanced against other factors, including the use of coercion and the way in which he consolidated his position by creating relations with powerful interest groups such as the Church, industrialists and the armed forces.
Read and Make Notes
Read pages 129 to 135 in European Dictatorships 1918-1945 and make notes on:
- The cult of Mussolini;
- The use of propaganda to indoctrinate through education and youth organisations, the press and culture;
- The use of force.
Tasks
- What do you understand by the sacralisation of politics in Fascist Italy? Read the following:
READ – Mussolini and the Cult of the Leader (Global Net) Links to an external site.
- What was Mussolini’s image?
- How was it created?
- What factors limited his personality cult?
Reflect
- Plan an answer to the following question: How far was the successful consolidation of the Fascist regime in the years 1922 to 1929 due to Mussolini’s mastery of propaganda? (30 marks)
- Add some evidence to these points which support the idea:
- Mussolini was a renowned orator, who perfected what AJP Taylor called ‘the technique of the balcony’;
- Propaganda was vital to the cult of Mussolini as leader;
- Fascist propaganda meant everybody in Italy understood what Mussolini stood for;
- The theme of restoring national pride after past humiliations was presented effectively;
- Fascism controlled the press and influenced education and youth;
- Violence was used as a propaganda weapon;
- There was relatively little actual violence after 1922.
- Which points would you make to challenge this argument?
Stretch Activity
- Was Italian Fascism modern or traditional?
- Watch the following video:
WATCH – The Rise of Italian Fascism, 1911-39: Modernity (MASSOLIT) Links to an external site.