Fascist society, 1926–1940 (A-level only) study guide

Study Guide: Fascist Society in Italy (1926-1940)

Key Themes

1. Propaganda and the Cult of Il Duce

• Control of the Media: Understand how Mussolini manipulated media outlets to create a favorable image and suppress dissenting voices.
• Education as Propaganda: Explore how the education system was used to instill Fascist ideology in the youth.
• Role of Fascist Organizations: Examine the impact of youth organizations like the Opera Nazionale Balilla in promoting Fascist values.

2. The Police State

• Machinery of Repression: Analyze the role of the OVRA and other state apparatus in maintaining control and suppressing opposition.
• Methods to Deal with Dissent: Discuss the tactics employed by the regime to silence critics and manage public opinion.
• Race Laws of 1938: Investigate the implications of these laws on Italian society and their alignment with broader Fascist ideology.

3. Economic Policies

• Corporate State: Understand the structure and goals of the Corporate State and its impact on labor relations.
• Response to the Great Depression: Evaluate how Fascist policies aimed to mitigate the effects of the economic crisis.
• Living Standards and Military Expansion: Assess the trade-offs between military spending and the welfare of the Italian populace.

4. Social Relations

• Fascist Regime and the Church: Explore the complex relationship between the Fascist state and the Catholic Church, including agreements and tensions.
• Impact on Women, Youth, Peasants, and Workers: Analyze how Fascist policies affected different social groups and their roles in society.
• Extent of ‘Fascistisation’: Evaluate how deeply Fascist ideology penetrated everyday life by 1940.