Benito Mussolini, an influential Italian political figure, was born on July 29, 1883, and sadly passed away on April 28, 1945. Known as Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini, he hailed from the small town of Dovia di Predappio in Italy. Despite coming from a modest background, with a blacksmith father and a mother who worked as a school teacher, Benito initially pursued a career in teaching. However, he eventually felt compelled to shift his focus towards the realm of politics. During his formative years, he resided in Switzerland and Austria, and during this time, he immersed himself in various socialist movements, most notably the Socialist Party. His fervent involvement in these groups eventually led to his expulsion from Switzerland.
Since early on, his inclination toward radicalism was apparent. In 1910, he assumed the role of editor for the weekly publication La Lotta di Classe and was also the secretary for the Provincial Federation of Forli. In 1912, this faction emerged victorious at the socialist congress held in Reggio nell’Emilia, propelling its influence in the political sphere. Following this, he took charge as the director of Avanti, a newspaper solely dedicated to disseminating information about the Socialist Party. However, due to his radical tendencies, Mussolini was eventually excluded from the publication. Undeterred, he embarked on establishing his own newspaper with an ultra-nationalist slant, known as Il Popolo d’Italia.
His political and ideological beliefs underwent a significant transformation, leading him to become a staunch adversary of the Libyan war and Italy’s involvement in the Great War. Surprisingly, he took an aggressive approach by actively enlisting in the Italian military for two years and using his newspaper to vehemently criticize the Italian left for exacerbating the country’s precarious situation during the crisis of the early 1900s. This radical shift in mindset resulted in his expulsion from the Socialist Party. Subsequently, his ideological metamorphosis played a pivotal role in the inception of totalitarianism, with its initial manifestation being the formation of a belligerent group called Fasci di Combattimento in 1919. These extremists acted with almost complete impunity, relentlessly targeting left-wing activists.
As a result of the Great War’s failed sacrifices, people collectively became frustrated. This frustration led to a loss of trust in the parliamentary system. At the same time, there was an economic crisis, and social conflict escalated due to the rise of labor and peasant movements. These movements created unease among the wealthier classes who feared a social revolution. In response to these circumstances, the fascists emerged, standing against democracy and class struggles. They strongly disagreed with liberalism and Marxism, promoting national solidarity instead. The fascists positioned themselves as defenders of the country, emphasizing the importance of law and order. This led to violent confrontations with the Italian left.
Is the working class really eager to partake in a conflict driven by aggression and the desire for domination, only to end up in the same impoverished and oppressed state as before? That’s what Benito Mussolini seems to suggest. He implies that the proletariat, who are already struggling, have no motivation to engage in such a war. After all, what would be the point if it only perpetuates their poverty and exploitation? It’s a thought-provoking perspective that challenges the prevailing notions of war and its impact on the working class.
Fascism, the most extreme form of conservative rule, gained power with the backing of agricultural landowners. Its main aim was to protect the national bourgeoisie from the perceived threats posed by the socialists, including their communist wing. Towards the end of that year, the Fascist Grand Council convened and devised a plan to strengthen the party. As part of this strategy, they sought to ease their staunch anti-clerical stance by making friendly gestures towards Catholicism and the Holy See. As time passed, they established the Volunteer Militias for National Security, a force that employed violence and terrorism to bolster their election campaign in April 1924. In this crucial election, the newly formed National Fascist Party secured an overwhelming 69% of the popular vote.
Mussolini’s victory marked his emergence as the ultimate authority, using ruthless political violence to crush all opposition and establish a dictatorial regime. To further solidify his power, the Law for the Defense of the State was enacted in November 1926, imposing the death penalty on anyone who attempted to harm the King or the Head of State. However, fascism not only relied on violence and force; it also employed a rhetoric centered around nationalism and the glorification of power, hierarchy, and Mussolini’s persona as the Duce (a title he adopted). This ideology embraced militarism, expansionist colonialism, xenophobia, and an idealization of the majestic past epitomized by the Roman Empire. The concept of Romanity was born, portraying it as a noble and civilizing force.
With the help of Hitler, Mussolini was able to secure his release. Following this, Mussolini established a fascist republic in the northern regions of Italy under German control, known as the Republic of Saló. During the trials held in Verona, the Italian dictator took action against the members of the Grand Fascist Council who were involved in his dismissal, including his son-in-law, Galeazzo Ciano. Faced with the advancing allies, Mussolini and his wife Clara Petacci attempted to escape to Switzerland. Disguised as a German officer, Mussolini hoped to cross the border unnoticed, successfully eluding the Resistance members. However, on April 28, 1945, he and his partner were apprehended and executed. Disturbingly, their bodies were publicly displayed in Milan’s Loreto square, subject to mockery and scorn.