ABSTRACT

Originally published in 1964, this book holds the story of Italian Fascism and its leader up to the light. Gallo explains how Fascism triumphed in Italy, what it did to and for that country, and what its heritage is for present-day Italy. The character of Mussolini is explored as it is interwoven with the history of the dictatorship he founded, and Gallo demonstrates beyond doubt the enthusiasm with which Italian industry, finance, and business supported Mussolini's self-styled, anti-capitalist movement.

part I|155 pages

The Origins of Fascism and the Conquest of Power

chapter 1|29 pages

A Young Country, A Young Man

(1883–1914)

chapter 2|42 pages

The Disappointments of a Victorious War and the Birth of the Fasci

(1914–April, 1919)

chapter 3|27 pages

The Shadow of Revolution

(April, 1919–June, 1920)

chapter 4|20 pages

The Decisive Months

(June, 1920–May, 1921)

chapter 5|23 pages

Fascism in the State

(May, 1921–August, 1922)

chapter 6|12 pages

The March on Rome

(September, 1922–October 30, 1922)

part II|105 pages

Mussolini in Power: the Successes of Fascism

chapter 7|22 pages

The Time of the Last Illusions

(October, 1922–April, 1924)

chapter 8|12 pages

The Risk of Total Loss: The Matteotti Affair

(May, 1924—January 3, 1925)

chapter 9|11 pages

All Power to Fascism

(1925–1926)

chapter 10|14 pages

The Fascist System: Il Duce

(1926–1936)

chapter 11|26 pages

The Fascist System: The Ideology, the State, the Party

(1926–1936)

chapter 12|18 pages

Mussolini's Big Gamble and the Ethiopian War

(1933–1936)

part III|171 pages

Italy in Turmoil

chapter 13|53 pages

The Road to War

(1936–1940)

chapter 14|28 pages

Three Years of Defeats

(June, 1940—July, 1943)

chapter 15|37 pages

The Fall of Fascism and the Return of Mussolini

(July, 1943–October, 1943)

chapter 16|15 pages

The Social Republic of Salò

(October, 1943 — January, 1944)

chapter 17|14 pages

Reprieve: The Year 1944

chapter 18|20 pages

The End of Fascism and the Death of Mussolini

(January—April 29, 1945)

chapter |1 pages

Epilogue