Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini’s Revival of European Imperialism in North Africa and How he became Adolf Hitler’s Ally

            Benito Mussolini was known as an Italian journalist and politician, who became Italy’s Fascist Party dictator from 1925 to 1945. He was further becoming as the Prime minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943, after forging the paramilitary movement, which was in 1919. Besides, he led Italy constitutionally until the year 1943. Mussolini further established a dictatorship, after dropping the democracy of pretence. He was an inspirational leader who enthused several totalitarian rulers such as Adolf Hitler.

Mussolini advanced the revival of European imperialism in North Africa, by reinforcing Fascism across Europe and most primarily in Italy. Although some leaders wanted to separate themselves from fascism system, their regimes were considered similar to that of Mussolini’s doctrine. However, the political elite members in Spain, such as the army and the Spanish monarchy, further established a new imperialism era in North Africa. This was realized after the creation of Morocco between 1912 and 1956. According to the Fascism believe, the strength of a nation was reflected after the country has conquered weak nations (Mussolini, 1933). The fascism notion by any country was acknowledged through their superior military weapons during the war.

Moreover, during World War II, Mussolini became allies with Adolf Hitler since he relied on the German dictator to support his leadership. In this case, both Mussolini and Hitler had similar common goals and ideologies. A mutual aspect towards attaining a common goal triggered Mussolini into partnering with Hitler. However, in 1935 during the Ethiopian invasion, Mussolini provided 50,000 troops in the Spanish Civil War, after siding with Hitler and Francisco Franco. Also, Mussolini left the League of Nations in 1937 and helped Hitler in invading Austria. This made Hitler become partners with Hitler.

Additionally, in 1938, Mussolini wrote an article, which helped in aligning the Aryan race concept between the Italians and the Germans. However, Germans felt they were weak after Jewish laws began appearing in Italy. This made Mussolini increase German’s severity through calling for a foreign expulsion from Italy. Besides, Mussolini had confidence that Hitler would win the war. This was after Germany invaded Norway and Denmark. Mussolini’s conviction further led to the signing of a treaty between Germany and Italy, which was known as the “Pact of Steel”. This created an agreement to both political and military alliance, which led to the “Axis powers” that involved Japan (Bosworth, 2007). Mussolini used the treaty as defensive and partnership alliance, which protected Italy from Western democracies that anticipated for war. He further used the “Pact of Steel” treaty as a source to back his Balkan adventures.

Nonetheless, Mussolini withheld allegiance between Germany and the allies through the declaration of war between Great Britain and France. Mussolini wanted to be on the winning side, thus, joined the battle. However, Mussolini wanted to secure some territories, after he foresaw Hitler winning the war. This triggered him to join forces with Germany in order to win a battle between France and Great Britain. Though with unclear intention, German dictator Hitler collaborated with Mussolini during the war.

In conclusion, Benito Mussolini was recognized as a Fascist leader in Italy. He invented fascism, a political philosophy, which extolled as an alternative towards parliamentary inaction and socialist radicalism. Mussolini believed that a country could only be considered authoritative after it had defeated some weak countries. Eventually, Mussolini wanted to gain support in his leadership, thus joined allies with a German leader known as Hitler.

References

Bosworth, R. (2007). Book Review: Germany and the Axis Powers: From Coalition to Collapse. War In History, 14(1), 125-127. doi: 10.1177/0968344506072133

Mussolini, B. (1933). The Political And Social Doctrine Of Fascism. The Political Quarterly, 4(3), 341-356. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-923x.1933.tb02289.x