School writings under the political governments of Vargas and Mussolini: towards a fascistization of childhood

Abstract

This text discusses schools under the Vargas government in Brazil, and under Mussolini in Italy. It is based on documental sources related to school writings and childhood: school exercise books, books, school newspapers, minutes, photographs, flyers, legislation and objects from material culture. It argues about possibilities of fascistization through the curriculum and propaganda. It highlights the use of school materials as ideological devices of totalitarian governments. The relationships between school writings and Brazilian and Italian totalitarian contexts showed the power of indoctrination of schools. Possibilities of fascistization in both countries were outlined, through either similar or sometimes contrasting elements, supporting the problem and its conceptualization.

Keywords

• escola
• fascistização
• escrita infantil
• Brasil
• Itália