Thanks for this, a much needed reminder how incompetent these jokers are.
As a Greek American, I am proud of the Greeks for celebrating “Ohi Day” (literally translates as “No” day) which commemorates their resistance of fascist Italy. Moussilini demanded Greece open its gates to allow Italy to stage its troops in 1940. Such hubris. The Greeks said “no”, chose to fight instead, and turned back the Italians (but did not fare so well against the Nazis.)
Maybe one day we’ll have a national holiday to celebrate the defeat of MAGA. Lets see if we can make that happen!
Incredible history. So many lessons. One I like re:Resistance and the “recovery of a bond of solidarity, founded ‘on a simple human relationship, the feeling of being at one with the many.’”
Ruth, thank you so much for this great essay with important current information for today that we almost never hear anything about but definitely need to know!
Gian Galeazzo Ciano (Livorno 1903-1944 executed in Verona), 2nd Count of Cortellazzo & Buccari (his father Costanzo Ciano was the 1st Count) was a statesman, diplomat, fascist leader, and Ambassador of Italy to the Vatican City. He was married to Edda Mussolini (favorite child of Mussolini).
Mussolini had an early fascination with the masses in Italy, but Gian Galeazzo Ciano was especially influential in bringing Italy into WWII after the Fall of France (June 1940). However, Ciano became wary of Adolf Hitler when Germany invaded Poland in Sept 1939 without first consulting with “policies,” in direct violation of an agreement given to Ciano in May by the German foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop. At first Ciano persuaded Mussolini to adopt a policy of “non-belligerence” as you present in your essay but when France fell, it is said that Ciano urged entry into the war.
Ciano was a leading fascist that retained enough power as a “wealthy count” to enable Mussolini’s resignation. Ciano was eventually captured by pro-Mussolini partisans as well as the Germans in northern Italy and on Mussolini’s orders Ciano was brought to trial for treason and was executed by a firing squad’s shot in his back.
You might find our CIA involvement in Italy interesting, especially in the JFK years. Kennedy was a supporter of the left leaning Apertura, which was pro democracy but the CIA was active in funneling money to groups that were authoritarian. Our CIA at that time was fascist leaning and taking actions contrary to that of JFK.
Steve, I did not know that and that will be important to uncover more about with our current (and potentially evolving) environment. Can you recommend any references? Thanks!!
This subject is covered in the book, "The Devil's Chessboard" by Talbot. Pages 464-468 talk about our involvement with Italy and particularly JFK's conversations with the socialist party leader Pietro Nenni. We had two polar opposite foreign policies in place, causing a schism in our national psyche. The book contains much more on Italy than just the JFK era, as it goes into CIA involvement just after WWII. Our Italian CIA policy was 100% driven by the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, a psychopath.
Thank you so much for this information involving Pietro Nenni (Faenza, Emilia, Italy 1891-1980 Rome), former “Senator of the Italian Republic” and the National Secretary of the “Italian Socialist Party” (PSI). My English immigrant grandfather was an intermittent “socialist organizer” in Detroit (he mentioned Nenni & others to me when I was an undergraduate) and he was also a great supporter of both Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) and JFK. In fact all of my extended family members (when politically active) were/are life-long Democrats!
I am trying to understand more about JFK’s conversations with Pietro Nenni, that as you say, caused a schism in our “national psyche” that included as you also say “our Italian CIA policy 100% driven by the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, a psychopath.” This is important information for our current situation.
Interesting that Pietro Nenni, also a journalist, in 1908 became an editor of the Italian republican paper “Forli” and was affiliated with the socialist paper edited by Benito Mussolini! But Mussolini went Fascist and Pietro Nenni joined the socialist party in 1921. Nenni then went to France and was a correspondent/reporter who was eventually arrested by the Germans in Vichy, France in 1943. Nenni’s daughter Vittoria was also active in the French Resistance and killed in Auschwitz.
It turned out that Eisenhower had little control of both domestic and foreign policy, because these were under the control of John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles. JFK saw this as a serious problem and fired Allen when he (JFK) came to power. But Allen continued to control the CIA during the Kennedy administration. So we had JFK visiting Italy and talking with Nenni and both seeing eye to eye about a democracy in Italy. The CIA was acting totally contrary to this agreement. Allen was livid with Kennedy's action. The book details the hatred between these two men. It's a shocking book!
Thanks again, Ruth. The Italian Army also participated in Operation Barbarossa. They were positioned on the flanks of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. They were slaughtered by the Red Army in the offensive that encircled the Germans. Many were taken prisoner by the Soviets and few returned. Mussolini had delusions about being a modern Caesar. He bought nothing but death and suffering to his people.
This is what I expect from a sadistic, Machiavellian sociopath. The problem with these people is that the general population feels that they can recognize sociopaths/psychopaths by their obvious deviant behavior. No they can't! Their behavior is not obvious.
Thanks for this, a much needed reminder how incompetent these jokers are.
As a Greek American, I am proud of the Greeks for celebrating “Ohi Day” (literally translates as “No” day) which commemorates their resistance of fascist Italy. Moussilini demanded Greece open its gates to allow Italy to stage its troops in 1940. Such hubris. The Greeks said “no”, chose to fight instead, and turned back the Italians (but did not fare so well against the Nazis.)
Maybe one day we’ll have a national holiday to celebrate the defeat of MAGA. Lets see if we can make that happen!
I teach a week on Fascist occupation of Greece in my world war two class. The Greek resistance was so impressive.
Incredible history. So many lessons. One I like re:Resistance and the “recovery of a bond of solidarity, founded ‘on a simple human relationship, the feeling of being at one with the many.’”
North Star.
Yes that is beautiful!
Herr Trump is Mussilini incarnate. He’s not going to do well in prison.
Congratulations on the additional reprint! It heartens me to know others are learning from you!
thank you Pam
Rachele reminds me of the contemporary wife of a Mussolini wannabe!
Such a rich history in our past of small men trying to be bullies. They all end up a pile of grief and desperation as their legacy.
One can hope that the same happens to our wannabe dictator (without his again holding office).
Authoritarians are like glass - hard but brittle.
I much appreciate your counterpoint here, Ruth, in sharing Mussolini's end, as it gives us hope to continue pushing back on the rise of fascism today.
Am happy your book, “Strongmen” is being reprinted. A must for everyone to read.
Thank you Suzette
Ruth, thank you so much for this great essay with important current information for today that we almost never hear anything about but definitely need to know!
Gian Galeazzo Ciano (Livorno 1903-1944 executed in Verona), 2nd Count of Cortellazzo & Buccari (his father Costanzo Ciano was the 1st Count) was a statesman, diplomat, fascist leader, and Ambassador of Italy to the Vatican City. He was married to Edda Mussolini (favorite child of Mussolini).
Mussolini had an early fascination with the masses in Italy, but Gian Galeazzo Ciano was especially influential in bringing Italy into WWII after the Fall of France (June 1940). However, Ciano became wary of Adolf Hitler when Germany invaded Poland in Sept 1939 without first consulting with “policies,” in direct violation of an agreement given to Ciano in May by the German foreign minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop. At first Ciano persuaded Mussolini to adopt a policy of “non-belligerence” as you present in your essay but when France fell, it is said that Ciano urged entry into the war.
Ciano was a leading fascist that retained enough power as a “wealthy count” to enable Mussolini’s resignation. Ciano was eventually captured by pro-Mussolini partisans as well as the Germans in northern Italy and on Mussolini’s orders Ciano was brought to trial for treason and was executed by a firing squad’s shot in his back.
You might find our CIA involvement in Italy interesting, especially in the JFK years. Kennedy was a supporter of the left leaning Apertura, which was pro democracy but the CIA was active in funneling money to groups that were authoritarian. Our CIA at that time was fascist leaning and taking actions contrary to that of JFK.
Steve, I did not know that and that will be important to uncover more about with our current (and potentially evolving) environment. Can you recommend any references? Thanks!!
This subject is covered in the book, "The Devil's Chessboard" by Talbot. Pages 464-468 talk about our involvement with Italy and particularly JFK's conversations with the socialist party leader Pietro Nenni. We had two polar opposite foreign policies in place, causing a schism in our national psyche. The book contains much more on Italy than just the JFK era, as it goes into CIA involvement just after WWII. Our Italian CIA policy was 100% driven by the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, a psychopath.
Thank you so much for this information involving Pietro Nenni (Faenza, Emilia, Italy 1891-1980 Rome), former “Senator of the Italian Republic” and the National Secretary of the “Italian Socialist Party” (PSI). My English immigrant grandfather was an intermittent “socialist organizer” in Detroit (he mentioned Nenni & others to me when I was an undergraduate) and he was also a great supporter of both Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) and JFK. In fact all of my extended family members (when politically active) were/are life-long Democrats!
I am trying to understand more about JFK’s conversations with Pietro Nenni, that as you say, caused a schism in our “national psyche” that included as you also say “our Italian CIA policy 100% driven by the CIA Director, Allen Dulles, a psychopath.” This is important information for our current situation.
Interesting that Pietro Nenni, also a journalist, in 1908 became an editor of the Italian republican paper “Forli” and was affiliated with the socialist paper edited by Benito Mussolini! But Mussolini went Fascist and Pietro Nenni joined the socialist party in 1921. Nenni then went to France and was a correspondent/reporter who was eventually arrested by the Germans in Vichy, France in 1943. Nenni’s daughter Vittoria was also active in the French Resistance and killed in Auschwitz.
To be continued…..
It turned out that Eisenhower had little control of both domestic and foreign policy, because these were under the control of John Foster Dulles and Allen Dulles. JFK saw this as a serious problem and fired Allen when he (JFK) came to power. But Allen continued to control the CIA during the Kennedy administration. So we had JFK visiting Italy and talking with Nenni and both seeing eye to eye about a democracy in Italy. The CIA was acting totally contrary to this agreement. Allen was livid with Kennedy's action. The book details the hatred between these two men. It's a shocking book!
I looking for the book now!!! Thanks!
Interesting in light of the theories regarding the JFK assassination and who might have been behind it!
Yes they were very involved in Italy...
Thank you Diane
thank you so much for this well-researched history, I fear too many people to not understand the devastation of war.
When it seems the justice system is giving 45 a "pass" I think of Mussolini's end
Aren't they all?
Can’t get on to comment. I paid last year
I see your comment Tom so all is okay
Thanks for the detailed Italian history, Ruth.
Thanks again, Ruth. The Italian Army also participated in Operation Barbarossa. They were positioned on the flanks of the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. They were slaughtered by the Red Army in the offensive that encircled the Germans. Many were taken prisoner by the Soviets and few returned. Mussolini had delusions about being a modern Caesar. He bought nothing but death and suffering to his people.
This is what I expect from a sadistic, Machiavellian sociopath. The problem with these people is that the general population feels that they can recognize sociopaths/psychopaths by their obvious deviant behavior. No they can't! Their behavior is not obvious.
Some people call Trump the Cheeto Benito.
Others call him the Mango Mussolini.
I just call him Il Douche.