"Mussolini's opinion about Hitler"

Discussions on all aspects of Italy under Fascism from the March on Rome to the end of the war.
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awara pagal deewana
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"Mussolini's opinion about Hitler"

#1

Post by awara pagal deewana » 22 Jan 2003, 17:00

What was Mussolini's true opinion about Hitler? Was he jealous of his ally or trusted him to any depth?

JLEES
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Mussolini and Hitler

#2

Post by JLEES » 23 Jan 2003, 13:44

In a nutshell Il Duce, like many others, underestimated Hitler throughout their relationship together. Mussolini thought he was the more experienced of the two dictators and became jealous of Hitler's territorial victories. Mussolini further thought by linking himself with Hitler in the Pact of Steel, he could control him. This of course completely backfired too. Although people have argued Il Duce was a sharp politician, he completing failed when dealing with Hitler and judging how the democracies would react to them.
James


gabriel pagliarani
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Opportunity

#3

Post by gabriel pagliarani » 25 Jan 2003, 03:55

Before 1933 Mussolini had the worst consideration was possible of Hitler: he told to the people in Rome that 2 thousands years of civilization were the main gap between Fascist Italy and the racist Germany Hitler dreamt in Mein Kampf. After Ethiopya and the conquest of German leadership by Nazi in 1934 he began to like Nazism. Fascist Italy was 11 years older than Nazist Germany..a lot of time for them both.

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Psycho Mike
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The Chin

#4

Post by Psycho Mike » 25 Jan 2003, 16:16

I have aways heard that Benito hated Hitler's use of anti-semitism and convinced him to turn what was originally planned to be a month long protest into a one day boycott of Jewish merchants.

Some other odd things I've heard or seen over the years:

Chicago has two statues to fascism. A figure of Mussolini with other famous Italians is in front Chicago's Field Museum, and behind the planetarium is a statue/ gift to the people of Chicago- from the 1930's! I think these are the last two statues to fascism on earth! Every few years a protest group will raise the issue or removing them but it never goes anywhere. (Chicago has a large Italian population).

Mussolini was the only Italian leader to chase the Mafia out. Most of the resistence to him was from the mafia and communists- with many more mafia than reds.

Italy has had over 80 governments since the fall of Mussolini.

There were no death camps ever in Italy- and he was in power longer than Hitler!

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Leonardo
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Two dictators

#5

Post by Leonardo » 25 Jan 2003, 19:10

I believe that Mussolini's initial impression of Hitler when they first met in 1934 was uncomplimentary. Hitler made a brief state visit to Italy in 1934 (shortly after gaining power in Germany- his total grip on the country was not yet solidified). The meeting was awkward and uncomfortable for Hitler. When he arrived at the station in Venice (?), he was wearing a rumpled raincoat and civilian clothes. The Italian Fascists were all in their fancy uniforms with a military band- Mussolini had shown Hitler up. On another occasion, Hitler turned up for a night at the opera in black tie and tails; again, the Italians were all in their flashy military uniforms- Hitler felt out of place and later yelled at his entourage for the gaffe. As they drove through the city in an open motorcade, Hitler had to endure crowds of Italians shouting 'Duce, Duce' and waving Italian flags while sitting next to Mussolini. No shouts of 'Sieg Heil', and no waving Swastikas. When the visit was over, Hitler was glad to leave, and Mussolini, enjoying his twelfth year in power, was sure of his position as Hitler’s superior.

In 1938, Mussolini visited Berlin and this time, the roles were reversed. The Nazis went all out with pomp and pagentry (they were good at that). The German crowds cheered Mussolini as he rode next to Hiltler through Berlin. Mussolini reviewed large formations of imaculate Wehmacht and SS formations parading through Berlin. Duce was impressed with German efficiancy, and orderlieness. When he returned to Italy, he wanted to 'Prussianize' Italians. This, of course,was a disaster. I belive that this impression of strength and control, influenced Mussolini in his sudden reversal of policy towards the Jews. The Italian anti-Jewish movement, previously almost non-existant, became part of Fascist ideology after 1938. In short, I think the Italian racial laws (based on flimsy and whimsical evidence and sporadically enforced) were an effort on Mussolini's part to impress der Fuhrer.

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Nagelfar
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#6

Post by Nagelfar » 27 Jan 2003, 16:26

Mussolini should never attempted to "'Prussianize' Italians", Hitler never respected those who tried to make copies of other regimes. however I am sure since he respected Mussolini that he was quite flattered about this instance & didnt think of the consequence for the Italians as a whole. Italy I think, as far fetched as it may sound, would have done alot better had they kept their own autonomous feel. the concept of Prussian Italians is as anti-cultural as Berbers with Viking cloaks & helmets on. :P

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Nick.A.
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Mussolini's opinion of Hitler.

#7

Post by Nick.A. » 15 Feb 2003, 16:36

In March 1926, Adolf Hitler approached the Italian Embassy in Berlin, seeking a signed photgraph, of ''IL DUCE".The Foreign office in Rome, instructed the Embassy, not to give Hitler a photo, but to refuse the request, in a polite and courteous manner. In April,1933,two months after becoming Chancellor,Hitler sent his Deputy, Von Papen, to Rome, to try and arrange a meeting, between Hitler, and the DUCE.Mussolini, responded, by saying, that He would "Think about it".It was not untill the 14th June, 1934,that they finally met, in Venice. While his initial reaction, to Hitler, and to his Nazi government, may have been discomfort, he was certainly against any form of Anchluss with Austria,and at one stage he assembled Italian troops on the Austrian border,just after the assasination of Dollfuss. If the Germans had entered Austria at that time, Mussolini was prepared to go to war,and keep Austria a seperate State. It would seem that their friendship, took some time to develop. Regards, Nick.A.

gabriel pagliarani
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Chicago

#8

Post by gabriel pagliarani » 15 Feb 2003, 19:37

The monuments in Chicago were exchanged after Balbo's Atlantic Massive Air Raid attempted during 1933. They are not monuments to Fascism but monuments to the bravery of the "atlantic mass-raiders". Now somewhere in Italy there are monuments to Yury Gagarin and no one think to destroy them because he was a communist hero. Simply he was an hero and an explorer, without flags. So Chicago saved those monuments not for their "fascism", but in honour of those braves that crossed the Ocean in close formation for the 1st time. Some of them died exploiting that record. Mafia and "Cosa Nostra" of Chicago had no deal with Balbo: if the actual Mayor of Chicago thinks to save those monuments he acts like a civilizated person respecting the Story of his own Country. Also if he is a liberal black man, surely not italian not "mafioso" nor "fascista". Only barbarians destroy monuments. And no fascist leader was more friend of America than Balbo: the more Mussolini tightened to Hitler the more Balbo closed to die. Finally he was killed by friendly fire only 10 days after declaration of war against France and Great Britain: I am sure he was ready to lead a "putsch" against Mussolini as USA entered in war.

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Blackshirt
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#9

Post by Blackshirt » 18 Feb 2003, 07:37

Mussolini once referred to Hitler as "A silly little monkey."

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