How did Mussolini attempt to tranform the Italian character and Italian society? RADICALISATION FROM 1936 ONWARDS.

• By the mid-1930s most Italians had failed to take on the Fascist spiritual revolution.
• Mussolini criticised their Bourgeois mentality.
• He felt that they were: .Pacifist .Complacent .Materialistic .Too attracted to Western Democracies .Needed toughening up.
• He became more determined to forge an imperial and aggresive nation.

• 1938: tried to abolish the use of the friendly form of 'you' and the use of the handshake.
• Party leaders: had to learn to ride a horse, and a motorcycle, as well as do gymnastics.

• Ministry of Popular Culture created in 1937.
• Creation of G.I.L. put youth movements under Fascist party control.
• Expansion of OND: greater stress on a more committed Nation of Fascists.

1939: Chamber of Fasces and Corporations.

• Replaced the old Parliament.
• Change from appeasing the elite to engaging the masses.

• Anti-semite decrees unpopular:
• Not properly enforced.
• Only in 1943 that Jews were sent to concentration camps.

-Concern was aroused among the elite about the direction of the regime.

• Doubts about whether Mussolini was the best protector of their interests.
• These concerns escalated during World War Two.

-Attempts at radicalisation not accepted by Italian people.

• Viewed with hilarity and irritation.
• Not taken seriously.