In 1922, there was a general strike in
Italy. Benito
Mussolini, one of the founders of Italian Fascism, addressed
crowd in Naples and declared that unless the Government put an end to
it, the fascists would do it for them. He subseqently
came to power after a coup
d'état shortly thereafter by which Mussolini's National Fascist Party
came to power in Italy
and was appointed Prime Minister by King Victor
Emmanuel. He personally took over
the ministries of the interior, foreign affairs, colonies, corporations,
defense, and public works. Sometimes he held as many as seven departments
simultaneously, as well as the premiership. He was also head of the
all-powerful Fascist Party and the armed lfascist militia, called
Blackshirts, who terrorised all dissenters., beat them mercilessly, and
prevented opposition newspapers from publishing.
Mussolini
began using the title Il Duce (the leader) in 1925 and soon
transformed Italy into a fascist state. He remained popular with the Italian
public with a variety of ublic works including the improvement of job
opportunities and public transportation, By 1935, Mussolini claimed that
three quarters of Italian businesses were under state control. That same
year, he issued several edicts to further control the economy, including
forcing all banks, businesses, and private citizens to give up all their
foreign-issued stocks and bonds to the Bank of Italy. In 1938, he also
instituted wage and price controls.
On 10 June 1940, Mussolini led Italy into
World War II on the side of the Axis, In April 1945, with total defeat
in sight, Mussolini attempted to escape to Switzerland with his mistress
Clara Petacci, but they were captured and executed near Lake Como by Italian
partisans. Their bodies were to taken Milan and hung upside down on
meathooks from the roof of an Esso gas station and were stoned
While we do not recommend celebrating
Mussolini's birthday, it may be appropriate to reflect on the warning of
Georgi Dimitrov
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“Fascism is able to attract the masses
because it demagogically appeals to their most urgent needs and demands.
Fascism not only inflames prejudices that are deeply ingrained in the
masses, but also plays on the better sentiments of the masses, on their
sense of justice and sometimes even on their revolutionary traditions…
Fascism acts in the interests of the extreme imperialists, but it presents
itself to the masses in the guise of champion of an ill-treated nation, and
appeals to outraged national sentiments…”
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and be wary of its reemergence under any
disguise as a new political movement. While reflecting on this challenge, we
suggest renting a copy of the film
Mussolini: Ultimo atto (Mussolini: The last
act, 1974) while esting a bowl of Spaghetti Mussolini and recalling his
famous quote, "A nation of
spaghetti eaters cannot restore Roman civilization!" |
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