KT3 The Fascist State 1925-1940

Consent and control over the Italian population:

Indoctrination of education and youth

Aim to create a loyal generation of Italian fascists

1921, Fascist Youth Front formed for boys 14-17. GUF formed in March 1923 followed by Balilla aged 8-14. At this stage, these youth organisations were not well structured. By 1924, only 3000 children involved in fascist youth organisations.

Once Mussolini established a dictatorship, focus on youth more formalised. April 1926, ONB created to provide 'for physical and moral benefit of youth' for boys ages 8-18. In 1934, Balilla restructured into 3 categories. Girls included in their own organisations, under control of the Party to the Ministry of National Education.

The fascist gov did not make membershipcompulsory beyond 11 until 1939, but non membership made difficult to enrol in further education. Membership of the ONB provided access to jobs and special scholarships.

• All other youth organisations except Catholic Church banned.
• For boys, youth programmes aimed to produce young, fascist soldiers. At 18, all males had military training. Activities involved marching, wrestling, boxing. Young boys taught the perfect Balilla swears loyalty to Mussolini. 
• Physical education focus for girls aswell to ensure they were fit mothers to bear healthy children.
• Anti-fascist teachers removed from their jobs in 1920's and 1933 became compulsory for teachers to belong to the PNF.

Limitations to his control over education and youth:

• However, for many young people the motivation was not a belief in fascism but the enjoyable social occasions, being outdoors instead of studying in a classroom.
• Divide between success in the north and the south. In rural south, most did not study beyond compulsory age of 11.
• Participation divide between girls and boys. Girls less likely to continue schooling past age 11
• Difference between enjoyment boys found in physical activities and more dull activities for girls, which focused on being good future mothers.

Therefore, the success of the fascist youth policy was not complete, and was hampered by regional and demographic differences.

Question on whether these young people were truly indoctrinated to believe in fascist ideals, but may have simply enjoyed the activities.

Control of workers

Opera Nazionale Dopolavaro:

• 1925, The OND replaced socialist organisations that were previously closed down. This provided workers with a variety of social and sporting opportunities (bars, football teams, radios and libraries). 
• OND Membership entitled workers to discounts, and other consumer benefits. It also provided relief for workers in times of need and provided a level of social insurance
• Most popular aspect was holidays it provided for no cost
• 1939: 4 million members

One of the most popular aspects of the fascist regime and gained Mussolini more support. Mussolini believed using the OND as a form of control was more important than indoctrination.

However, none of the activities featured direct fascist beliefs and ideologies. Depth of the Fascist's attempt to create a nation of fascists arguably low.

Workers could benefit from the OND without committing to fascist ideals, many joined because of the range of activities

How did Mussolini try…