Fascist leaders Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler manipulated physical education to create a new generation of citizens prepared for warfare. Sports were integral in cultivating assertions of virility and teamwork, essential for building a national conscience. Mussolini's portrayal as Italy's foremost athlete fostered an emotional connection with the populace, symbolizing a robust political identity that stood against the perceived weakness of Italy's past. Football epitomized these ideals, with authority and collaboration at its core, reinforcing the state's vision as a powerful, interconnected body driving towards nationalistic goals.
Both Mussolini and Hitler utilized physical education to shape the identities of young citizens, promoting discipline, virility, and unity through sports as a means of national control.
The image of Mussolini as the ideal athlete was pivotal in reinforcing his authority, projecting a formidable presence that resonated strongly with the Italian populace, contrasting his vigor with previous political weaknesses.
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