Italy, Mussolini, and FascismThe type of totalitarianism in Italy during World War 2 was called "fascism". Fascism is defined as a society ruled by a dictator who controls the lives of the people, all of whom are unable to disagree with the government. The leader of fascist Italy during WW2 was Benito Mussolini.
Mussolini came from humble beginnings: his family was rather poor. Despite finding difficulty keeping a job, he was very good with words. He read philosophy often but formed his own opinions from it. He turned his talent for words into propaganda. Like Adolf Hitler, he often proposed revolution, and like Hitler, he too was imprisoned. Early in his career Mussolini stated that Italy was in need of a dictator, “a man who is ruthless and energetic enough to make a clean sweep” This was around 1920, the beginning of fascism. In 1921, fascism gained power. The group was largely centered around nationalism and anti-Bolshevism (anti-communism). The Fascists soon marched on Rome where, in 1922, Mussolini became the youngest Italian prime minister. Mussolini continued to gain power for over a decade. |
In 1935, he finally began his conquest of other countries, setting his sites on Ethiopia.. Soon after, Italy allied with Germany, one of the few European countries that had not turned against them. Together, they made up the Axis powers. Italy followed Germany in passing anti-Semitic laws, eventually deporting 20% of their Jewish population.
Despite being allies with Germany, Italy did not join the war until 1940. Very quickly Mussolini was less confident in his alliance with Hitler, realizing he was merely a junior partner rather than the leader of the Axis powers. This was proven with such events as the invasion of Romania and the Soviet Union by Germany without informing Italy. Because of this distrust, Mussolini followed Hitler's example by attacking Greece without telling the Germans. Unfortunately for Mussolini, his forces were defeated and Hitler was forced to help him escape. Italy failed again in North Africa, leading Germany to begin the abandonment of Italy. |
Three years after officially joining the war, Mussolini was voted out of office by his fellow Italians. He dismissed this request and showed up to his office the next day where he was arrested. Here again Germany came to his rescue, despite Mussolini no longer having control over Italy. He tried to take control of Northern Italy but it was another failure. On April 28, 1945, Mussolini was captured and executed. It took twenty years before democracy was reinstated in Italy.
Timeline... |
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Sources |
Encyclopedia Britannica
Merriam-Webster Dictionary |