Benito Mussolini

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was the leader of fascist Italy during the time of World War I and was a close ally to Hitler.. His fascist government valued nationalism, corporatism, militarism, and anti communism. He also enforced strict censorship and state propaganda. Mussolini had served in World War I as a sniper, and had published several novels and newspapers. He later became the Prime Minister of Italy and later built up Italy into a police state. Italy’s fascist government was run by propaganda and here Mussolini’s journalist background came into good use. Mussolini was the one who authorized the attack on Abyssinia and backed up General Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War. In May 1939, the alliance between Adolf Hitler and Benito Musolini became official when they signed the Pact of Steel.
Benito Mussolini had a lot of influence in the events that contribute to the start of World War II and events during World War II itself. It was Mussolini who defied the League of Nations and attacked Abyssinia. This showed the world that the League of Nations was weak and that it was afraid to go to war. This gave Hitler a huge boost and allowed him to feel confident enough to ask for territorial rights from Britain. Benito Mussolini was also an ally of Hitler and influenced many of Hitler’s actions and movement. His contributions to the events of World War II itself were even greater that his contributions that led to the war. Since Mussolini was the commander of fascist Italy, he was a very powerful and important person. First off, Italy declared war against Britain and France and allied itself with Nazi Germany. During World War II, Italy attacked France, Greece, and British forces in North Africa. The Italians also participated in the Battle of Britain. Mussolini also sent troops to help the Germans fight the Russians in the USSR and later it declared war on the USA. Italian gains and advances were limited, however.
Mussolini was once a strong leader of fascist Italy but later he was overthrown because of his inability to keep support of the people. Mussolini had always been the “back foot” of Hitler in power and strength. Hitler influenced a lot of Mussolini’s decisions and policies. When World War II started, Italy’s gains are very limited and they were not as powerful and successful as the German Army. Later on, as Italy began to experience many war losses, Mussolini was stripped from power and was replaced by Marshal Pietro Badoglio. This shows that Mussolini was nowhere near as powerful and as ruthless as Adolf Hitler. He was a key figure in World War II but not a very important one. It was Adolf Hitler who was the real leader while Benito Mussolini was the follower. Later Italy tried to secretly surrender to the allies and later signed an armistice. Italy’s actions in World War II proved that it was not a very powerful ally as Hitler might have hoped for. Adolf Hitler was the real power behind the Axis in Europe.


Works Cited:

"Benito Mussolini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Benito Mussolini. Wikipedia. MediaWiki. 14 Jan 2008 <,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mussolini,>.

Simkin, John. "Benito Mussolini: Second World War." Spartacus Educational. Spartacus Educational. 14 Jan 2008 <,http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWmussolini.htm,>.

Heddlesten, James. "Benito Mussolini." Commando Supremo: Italy at War. 14 Jan 2008 <,http://www.comandosupremo.com/Mussolini.html,>.

Halsall, Paul. "Modern History Sourcebook: Mussolini: What is Fascism, 1932." Modern History Sourcebook: Mussolini: What is Fascism, 193. 1997. Internet Modern History Sourcebook. 14 Jan 2008 <,http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/mussolini-fascism.html,>.

By : p a t a w u t & k a t e