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
1 | |
11 | |
July 1914May 1915 | 31 |
MayNovember 1915 | 59 |
November 1915June 1916 | 87 |
July 1916February 1917 | 107 |
MarchOctober 1917 | 123 |
Other editions - View all
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 Austro-Hungarian Avanti Bainsizza Battle 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 following day French front German Giolitti Gorizia Grappa ideology internal interventionism interventionists Isnenghi and Rochat Isonzo issue Italian intervention Italy 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 noted November 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 tion Trentino Trieste troops Turin victory VIII Wilson’s workers Yugoslav