Who Really Ruled Italy in 1926-40?

Subject  > History Term Papers  > World History

Mussolini is considered as one of the most important European dictators of the twenties century. If he is a dictator he would be the absolute ruler of Italy, but a man can not do everything himself. So how important were the other protagonists: the fascist party and the establishment? Their strength would be measured in power. Mussolini through his political situation was the most powerful man in Italy. He was Prime Minister and held up to 8 ministries at once. The parliament had very restrained powers, Mussolini decided and the parliament could only agree as the members all belonged to Mussolini's party. It was used as a security valve. He would give tasks to the independent members such as Farinacci to ...

... couldn't rule Italy as he wanted he had to rule accordingly to Italian economy influenced by the world's economy. Mussolini from 1935 was also relying on Hitler for coal, steel and petrol. Hitler's importance in the Italian political life increase and reached its apex in 1942 when he was maintaining Mussolini in power and dictating to the dictator what he should do. The Mafia had strong influence in the south; it almost ruled it. Even if Mussolini did a lot to destroy this organisation it still existed under cover. The Mafia did not accompany Mussolini and the fascist party's power but it replaced it. Indeed the south of Italy remained mainly in rural area independent of

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