If you liked gym class, you’d love fascist Italy.
In October 1922, Benito Mussolini’s army of blackshirts marched on Rome and took power over the Kingdom of Italy. Until Italy’s defeat in 1943, the country was a fascist state ruled by Mussolini with an iron fist. There was Big Brother-style propaganda plastered onto buildings, strict limits on the rights of women, and a strong emphasis on military strength and physical fitness.
Here are the Italians of the mid-20th century rallying, exercising, and marching in many, many parades.
1
A group of girls in the Littorio fascist youth group, 1937-1939
2
Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini walk by a row of saluting Italian soldiers during a visit from Germany's new chancellor.
Venice, Italy. June 1934
3
A gymnastics show performed by the Italian Youth of the Lictor, a youth movement of the Italian Fascist Party
Milan, Italy, circa 1937-1939
4
Mussolini’s Blackshirts demonstrating, Italy, 1929
5
Young boys in the fascist youth group, the Opera Nazionale Balilla
6
Inside a massive Fascist Party rally Rome, Italy, 1937
7
“Vincere!” (“Win!”) was a Fascist Party slogan, Italy, 1940
Photograph by Alinari Archives
8
Benito Mussolini inspecting a corps of schoolboy fascisti at a school in Rome, Italy.
9
An Italian Woman Appraises Fascist Officers in Rome. 1940
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
10
A young boy of the Opera Nazionale Balilla fascist youth group
Rome, Italy, 1924
11
A public gymnastics display
Circa 1923-1924
12
Three boys of the fascist youth group show off their uniforms.
13
The headquarters of Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party in Rome, 1934
14
School children pose for a photo. Behind them are graffiti tags saluting Mussolini as the "Duce" (leader) of Italy
Marano, Italy, 1930
15
An Italian resistance member, working with the British troops to fight the Germans in Italy
Florence, Italy. August 1944
16
Men saluting banner with bust of Mussolini between fasci
Mekelle, Italian East Africa
17
“Vincere!” (“Win!”) was a Fascist Party slogan, Italy, 1940
Photograph by Alinari Archives
18
Celebratory demonstration in Rome after the overthrow of the Mussolini government, 1945
