Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler were the most powerful leaders of the twentieth century who rose to power by exploiting the nationalist ill-will of the Paris Peace Settlements. Hitler based his policies on achieving power, while Mussolini desired to enhance the prestige of himself as well as Italy before the world. The similarities in Mussolini and Hitler are that both the leaders proposed radical fascism, which focused on expanding the strength of the military as an evidence of strength and vitality internationally . Both the leaders aimed at militarizing their respective countries through re-armament and spread of militaristic values to prepare the countries for war. Though Mussolini wanted to make Italy a respected and feared nation, the economic drawbacks of Italy did not favor the situation. He wanted Italy to be a part of the fascist struggle against communism . Due to the unfavorable economic conditions of Italy, he did not have any aims to make economic benefits.
Hitler, on the other hand, considered the Aryan race of Germany as superior to all other races. He wanted to offer privilege to the Aryan race in every possible aspect. Though initially Mussolini did not agree to Hitler’s proposal, later he came under Hitler’s pressure and agreed to the opinion . While Hitler was very transparent in his aims and decisions, Mussolini was opportunistic and vague in his policies. His conception of vitality to boost the prestige of the Roman Empire could not succeed due to the military and economic weaknesses. Hitler too was an opportunist, who took advantage of Abyssinia in order to remilitarize the state of Rhineland . Hitler’s main motto was to unify Germany by reestablishing the army and recouping the territories that he lost in the war.
Works Cited
Lee, Stephen J. Weimar and Nazi Germany. Heinemann, 1996.
Macdonald, Hamish. Mussolini and Italian Fascism. Nelson Thornes, 1998.
