Description

The quest for absolute power in Italy was always one on Mussolini's mind, but the Depression forced the Fascists into overdrive. With the economy falling apart, the state swooped in to both clumsily rescue the situation, as well as expanding its hold over the economy. And the crisis in general started opening up very big possibilities for expansion that had otherwise been denied in the 20s. 

Bibliography for this episode: 

1. Bosworth, RJB Mussolini's Italy Penguin Group, 2005
2. Whittam, John Fascist Italy Manchester University Press, 1995
3. Morgan, Phillip Italian Fascism 1919-1945 St. Martin's Press, 1995
4. Gooch, John Mussolini and His Generals Cambridge University Press, 2007
5. Schmitz, David F. The United States and Fascist Italy, 1922-1940 The University of North Carolina Press 1988
6. Migone, Gian Giacomo The United States and Fascist Italy: The Rise of American Finance in Europe Cambridge University Press 1980

Questions? Comments? Email me at peaceintheirtime@gmail.com