EG2010

=__**Benito Mussolini (Rise of Dictators Project)**__=

Benito Mussolini was the dictator of Italy from 1922 to 1943. After 1936, his official title was "His Excellency Benito Mussolini, Head of Government, Duce of Fascism, and Founder of the Empire." After World War One, Italy faced [|intense economic and political problems]. City workers went on strike and peasants who did not have land took property from the wealthy landlords; this all played a factor in the middle class's fear of a new socialist revolution. The frenzy was a useful tool from Benito Mussolini to gain power in the country.

He played a key role in the rise of [|fascism] a radical and authoritarian nationalist political ideology, and was the leader of the National Fascist Party. In 1922, Mussolini led a "[|March on Rome]" meant to prevent a communist revolution but in fact to frighten the government into naming him prime minister. When in office, Mussolini increased his power by appointing Fascists to top offices, censoring the press, organizing a secret police, and restricting any criticism of the government. He controlled the army and the schools, urging Italians to accept the slogan: "Everything in the state, nothing outside the state, nothing against the state."(Totalitarianism.)

Works Cited “Adolf Hitler.” //Spartacus Educational//. Google, n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2011. . “Mussolini, Doctrine of Fascism (1932).” //The History Guide//. N.p., 13 May 2004. Web. 3 Feb. 2011. . “The Rise of Totalitarianism.” //Fresno//. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2011. .