Mussolini in the First World War: The Journalist, The Soldier, The FascistHow did Benito Mussolini come to fascism? Standard accounts of the dictator have failed to explain satisfactorily the transition from his pre-World War I 'socialism' to his post-war fascism. This controversial new book is the first to examine closely Mussolini's political trajectory during the Great War as evidenced in his journalistic writings, speeches and war diary, as well as some previously unexamined archive material. The author argues that the 1914-18 conflict provided the catalyst for Mussolini to clarify his deep-rooted nationalist tendencies. He demonstrates that Mussolini's interventionism was already anti-socialist and anti-democratic in the early autumn of 1914 and shows how in and through the experience of the conflict the future duce fine-tuned his authoritarian and totalitarian vision of Italy in a state of permanent mobilization for war. Providing a radical new interpretation of one of the most important dictators of the twentieth century, Mussolini in the First World War will appeal to anyone who wants to learn more about the roots of fascism in modern Europe. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
Stating the Programme | 11 |
Man of Straw | 31 |
Copyright | |
9 other sections not shown
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Mussolini in the First World War: The Journalist, The Soldier, The Fascist Paul O'Brien No preview available - 2004 |
Common terms and phrases
24 October Altopiano April arditi artillery attack August Austria-Hungary Austrian Austro-Hungarian Avanti Bainsizza Battle Benito Mussolini Bersaglieri Bissolati bourgeoisie Cadorna Caporetto Carnia Carso charismatic claimed Command Corradini cultural Dalmatia Dalmine December declared defend democratic Diaz élites enemy Entente entry fact fasc fascio fascism February Felice fight Fiume front German Giolitti Gorizia Grappa Guerra Il Popolo d'Italia internal interventionism interventionists Isnenghi and Rochat Isonzo issue Italian intervention Italy Italy's January July June letter lieutenants March Mazzini Mazzinian Melograni Milan military mobilization morale Mussolini argued Mussolini wrote Mussolini's emphasis Mussolini's war diary nationalist imperialist November October offensive officers Pact of London Pact of Rome peace peasant soldiers Piave political Popolo d'Italia Prezzolini pro-war Procacci programme represented revolution revolutionary Rome Russian s.fasc Salandra San Sepolcro September social socialist Sonnino speech Strafexpedition strategy territorial tion trenches Trieste troops Turin victory VIII workers Yugoslav