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Benito Mussolini comes to power in Italy

Definition

Benito Mussolini came into power as Prime Minister in Italy in 1922. He established a totalitarian regime characterized by political repression, aggressive foreign policies, and Fascism - an authoritarian ideology that emphasizes dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, as well as strong regimentation of society and economy.

Analogy

Imagine if your school principal decided they were now supreme ruler with absolute control over everything you do at school – from what you learn to when you eat lunch. That's similar to how Mussolini ruled Italy.

Related terms

Fascism: A form of far-right government which is characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of oppositions, as well as strong regimentation on society and economy.

March on Rome: A march by which Italian dictator Benito Mussolini's National Fascist Party came to power in the Kingdom of Italy.

Blackshirts: Paramilitary groups formed by Benito Mussolini during his rise to power, used to disrupt the meetings of political opponents and to fight in street battles against leftists.