Mussolini and the History of Fascism
Mussolini’s short journey from the beginning of declaring the Fascist Party to his execution.
At that time, on March 23, 1919, the streets of Milan were crowded with men in black shirts. In typical fashion, they raised their right hand in the air. Benito Mussolini, who was the leader at that time, declared the establishment of Fasci in Combattimento, which would become known as the Fascist Party.
“We are the people who pushed the country into war and won,” Mussolini exclaimed.
After the First World War, Italy experienced an economic crisis where national debts piled up and hundreds of thousands of people were unemployed. This then became the background to the birth of fascism. As a war-winning country, Italy experienced a failure in obtaining territorial division in North Africa.
So that in the end, Mussolini, who at that time became a figure of the Socialist Party and leader of the Avanti newspaper, came to offer a movement for change.
Initially, the fascist movement promoted by Mussolini was only an ultranationalist action group. This movement was called Fasci d’Azione Rivoluzionarea (a group of youths who wanted war). The symbol “Fasces” was adapted from ancient Rome and symbolizes law as well as power. While the greeting is taken from the style of the Roman legionary, legion d’ Annunzio, namely the right arm rises.
Mussolini carried the Greater Italy campaign just like the Roman Empire which was sparked by the concept of Italy, la Prima in its heyday. This propaganda was in demand by the people. In the romantic past, Italy’s territory stretched from Italy, the Mediterranean Sea, and North Africa, to Ethiopia.
Recorded in the Compendio di Statistica Ellettorale, in 1921 the Fascist Party succeeded in occupying parliament with 35 seats. In Hugh Purcell’s article entitled “Fascism: People and Politics”, he said that Mussolini used the method of organizing his fascists into a political army. It is private and operates outside parliament by intimidating opponents to gain power. Even in their actions, they did not hesitate to destroy their political opponents by causing riots and killing them. Because this party relies on a special forces unit called “Squadirsti”.
The rapid growth of Fascism proved that Mussolini was capable of organizing. This was proven by his inauguration as Italy’s youngest Prime Minister, namely at the age of 39 on October 30, 1922. So that made Mussolini get the honorary title of his people, “Il Duce” which means “the leader”.
William Ebenstein in “Today’s Isms” stated that Mussolini ruled in a totalitarian manner with characteristics: very nationalist, chauvinistic, racialist, militaristic, and imperialist. With its iron fist, as long as the Fascist Party was in power, Italy became a stable country without demonstrations or strikes. However, public order must be paid for by losing freedom of expression. To continue to develop his country, Mussolini considered that the influence of a nation is very dependent on demographic forces. As a result, population growth continues to be encouraged to produce a new generation of Italians.
To get a demography commission, Mussolini instituted a system of taxes for bachelors and benefits for mothers. The attempt was successful. In population records, it shows that out of 93 women gave birth to around 1300 children. The quality of human resources has increased. This can be seen from the emergence of new powers in the field of sports, even though the athletes play in the shadow of threats. After being strong in the country, the fascist government began to aggressively launch a policy of expansion to various regions.
The first step is to invade Ethiopia. The reason is, the country is included in the Italian mandala Irredenta. From an economic point of view, Italy also needs raw materials that must be taken from Ethiopia. As Italy’s population grows, more and more living space is needed.
Italy, under the command of Marshal Badoglio, was able to conquer Ethiopia within seven months. Precisely on May 5, 1936, Italy was able to occupy Ethiopia. The Ethiopian leader at that time, Emperor Haile Selassie fled to England because of the Italian invasion. In the end, the League of Nations rebuked the aggression and Italy responded directly by leaving the organization’s membership.
In the civil war in Spain, Italy was also involved in increasing its influence in Europe. By supporting Fascist figures, General Francisco Franco wanted to carry out a rebellion against the Communist Party led by Manuel Azana. Italy did this by intervening in the Spanish political turmoil. This action was carried out to find Fascist allies, as well as being the first step in fascistizing all of Europe.
It is undeniable that the motive for power brought by Italy is also hidden in it. Seeing Spain’s strategic location, Mussolini wanted to make it the Sea of Italy, just like in the days of the Roman Empire.
The experience of winning the small war in Ethiopia made Mussolini proud. Its success inspired Adolf Hitler, who eventually founded the Socialist Nationalist Party, NAZI in Germany. During World War II in 1939, Italy joined the Axis of Block with Germany and Japan. While the opponent he faced was the Allied bloc. Consisting of Britain, France, the Soviet Union, the United States, and several other countries.
Italy was not ready for a big war. Towards the outbreak of World War II, Italy still relied on armaments left over from the First World War. The rifles used were made in 1819 and were not even replaced until the end of World War II.
At the beginning of World War II, Italy, which fought on the Balkan and North African fronts, was defeated everywhere. In contrast to Germany, which won the war on various battle fronts in Europe. Japan is also a powerful country in Greater East Asia. Until July 9, 1943, the Allies succeeded in entering Italy via the island of Sicily. Mussolini was wavering and on the verge of collapse. The axis block was badly defeated by the Allies. On April 28, 1945, Mussolini disguised himself to flee to Switzerland. However, the communist partisans managed to identify and arrest him.
Mussolini was executed, and his body and that of his lover Clara Pettaci were taken to Milan. Arriving in the city center, Mussolini’s body was hung upside down. In the past, Milan was the first place where Mussolini shouted fiery words in front of a sea of masses of worshipers of the glory of Fascism. Then, the end of Mussolini’s life also marked the end of the Fascist regime in Italy.
