Benito Mussolini Propaganda Essay

In matters of society, the three states also attempted to strictly regulate the attitudes and perceptions of their citizens. In the case of Italy, Mussolini’s methods of propaganda prescribed the role of women in Italy, successfully implemented anti-semitic policies, and used the police as a means of intimidation and enforcement of Fascist Party mandates. Looking at his use of propaganda, Mussolini began exerting influence through Italy’s youth. Under his direction, the Fascist Party created the Opera Nazionale Balilla (ONB), which began the indoctrination process in support of the Fascist Party. Young men and women wore uniforms, marched, and participated in common activities to manipulate attitudes while university students were forced to join the Gioventù Universitaria Fascista (GUF) for further training in Fascist Party ideology. Mussolini also adopted the Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro (OND) which provided a leisure time organization that arranged discounts on movies, vacations, tours, and sports. Added to his ability to manipulate the youth and leisure activities, Mussolini was particularly adept at utilizing the media. Under the Ministero della Cultura Popolare (MilCulPop), radio, cinema, and other means of communication were all controlled by the state. …show more content…
Mussolini advocated for women to remain in the home with the primary responsibility of producing children. Although Fascists argued for women’s rights, evidence suggests that Mussolini was more interested in growing the Italian population. Supporting this conclusion; Mussolini went as far as to award medals to the women of large families while the government actively discriminated against older women in the workplace to force them back into the home. Mussolini’s government also provided government subsidies for the workers of large