2. Political opposition Mussolini managed to win over many of the Italian people using a variety of methods.
(a) The OVRA and Black Shirts used intimidation and violence against any opponents of the government.
(b) The Fascists used propaganda to gain support. Posters, films and newspapers all portrayed Mussolini working hard for the nation. The government also censored all media to stop any negative information about Il Duce. In this way, the population only ever heard or read good things about the government and their leader. This helped Mussolini’s popularity to grow.
(c) Young people were targets of indoctrination (teaching a biased view to people). Teachers and schoolbooks now had to be approved by the Fascists and after-school clubs called balilla were set up for children aged 8 to 14 years. At these clubs, young people would learn how to be a good Fascist and to admire Il Duce.
Fig 13.13 Italian Fascist girls in 1932 during a display for the opening of a sports stadium in Rome.
Source B u
Fig 13.12 Young boys in the uniform of the youth movement of the National Fascist Party of Italy called ‘The Sons of the She-wolf’. Do you recognise the emblem on the hats of the children? Where have you seen it before?
Looking at the evidence
Mussolini used propaganda to promote his image. 1. Look at these photographs and explain why he would like these images of him to be seen. 2. What messages was he trying to portray? Give reasons for your answer.