WWII by HistoricalDen

Chapter 1: Benito Mussolini (Italy)

This all starts in 1902, when a Italian man by the name of Benito Mussolini moved (from a small town called Predappio) to Switzerland to avoid military service. During his stay in Switzerland he gets big into Socialism by working for trade unions, working for socialist newspapers and advocating a violent overthrow of European Monarchies. Although this gets him in a bit of trouble with the police, and gets arrested, sent back to Italy, gets set free and goes back to Switzerland. Then he does the same thing again but instead he had to do military service in Italy. After completing his military service he became an elementary school teacher for a while.

Until he finally went back to working as an avid Socialist. And his speeches and journalistic abilities made him famous among tons of Italian Socialist. He was also anti-war, so in 1910 when Italy finally colonised Libya, he rioted and got arrested again for the 3rd time.

Then at 1914 it became WWI and once again Benito protested Italy's involvement. Then he realized that this war can bring social climate needed to overthrow European monarchies, and bring the socialist revolution everywhere. This made him pro war. But his party didn't like Benito's new pro war stance, so they kicked him out.

Then he believed that Socialism was a waste of time, and believed they needed something new. Not based on class divisions tearing them apart, but based on unity through nationality. He believed this can make them reunite with the Italian people across the Mediterranean, by doing a 'friendly invasion'. And wanted to make it great again like the days of the Roman Empire. He called this party Fascismo which later turned into Fascism as we know of today. And this is supposed to lead the Italian nation to greatness.

Glossary for Chapter 1

Predappio-A small town in Italy

Socialism-A type of party

Advocating-Publicly recommended or supported

Monarchies-A form of government with a monarch at the head

Avid-Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something

Journalistic-Relating to journalists or journalism

Anti-war-Opposed to war in general or to the conduct of a specific war

Colonised-To send settlers to (a place) and establish political control over it

Revolution-A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favour of a new system

Pro war-Believing that a particular war is right

Party-An organization that works to win elections, make laws, and run the government is a political party

Nationality-The status of belonging to a particular nation

Reunite-Come together or cause to come together again after a period of separation or disunity

Fascism-An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization