Similarities between Fascism and Nazism
'Fascism' in Italy at the same time when the communist state was being established in Russia after the success of the Bolshevik Revolution and a new society and new economy was being formed. And in Germany 'Nazism' took birth. These are commonly referred to as 'counterrevolutionary' (Counter Revolution) is defined as.
Virtually Fascism 'Socialism' Against Nazism 'Communism' stood up in protest. The fascists came to power in Italy by crushing the socialists and the Nazis came to power in Germany by crushing the communists.
Fascists and Nazis took away individual liberty, equality and civil rights, while in countries like England and France, freedom, equality and rights of the individual were given the most importance.
Due to these reasons, democratic and liberal government system was established in these countries (England and France) after the revolution, while dictatorship was established during fascism and Nazism. It is in this context that Fascism and Nazism are seen as counter-revolutions.
In the Italian Encyclopedia, Mussolini wrote - 'Fascism does not believe in the necessity or benefit of peace. Therefore he rejects pacifism, because it has the defects of refusal to struggle and cowardice at the occasion of sacrifice. War and war alone is the only thing that elevates human powers to a higher level.
Communities that have the courage to accept war, imprint their nobility on them. All other practices are artificial, they do not put before man the question of death and life.'
Ministers in Mussolini's government 'Giovanni Gentile' Was a recognized architect of fascist ideology.
He has written- 'People should not seek the reality of themselves in a democratic way through their individual characteristics, but through fascist methods the self-consciousness of the world through the actions of the transcendental ego. …… so far as a power has the capacity to make a wish come true, so far that power is moral. Then use that preach or stick by any means.'
The Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, while commenting on Fascism has written- 'Fascism is staunch nationalist and opposes internationalism. He then turns the state into a deity on whose altar the freedom and rights of the individual must be sacrificed. In the eyes of fascism, only one's own country is its own, all other countries are alien and equal to the enemy.'
Hitler's welcome in Rome
It is only natural that two people with similar views become close friends. Mussolini, the father of fascism and Hitler, the father of Nazism, became friends. Mussolini invited Hitler to Rome. The world was shocked to hear this news. The union of two great dictators of the world was going to be heavy on the world.
Rome was decorated like a bride on 3 May 1938. Everywhere security soldiers were appointed so that no one could dare to even throw a hat at Hitler. Hitler took with him two of his trusted comrades Goebbels and Ribbontrop and five hundred officers who were the senior most officials of Germany's foreign, home, intelligence, defense and military departments and editors of major newspapers. A special train was run for these people from Germany to Italy.
King Emanuel Victor (III) and Seinor (Prime Minister) Mussolini themselves welcomed this train. Every Adolf Hitler shook hands with Mussolini and inspected the guard of honour. After this, officials from both sides held a meeting in a secret room. After this Hitler returned to Germany with his men. The world could never know what khichdi was cooked between the two countries in that meeting.
The whole world got hot
The world suddenly became warm after Hitler returned from Rome. Even a novice could tell that Italy and Germany were going to take the news of England and France together. At this time there was a deep turmoil in China and Japan and it was raining on Spain. It was understood that now Germany could attack Britain at any time.
So Churchill sat down, tied guns to the backs of four million fighters, and doubled the number of warplanes. That same week a revolution broke out in Romania. Toubruk collapsed. Japan reprimanded America. Greece was so excited by the Hitler and Mussolini treaty that it won the war in Albania.
Battlefields in Italy
Italy-French talks were going on before Hitler came to Italy, but after Hitler returned, the Italy-French talks ended abruptly. Italian newspapers shouted for Carsica and Tunis. It was expected that Italy would attack France by both sea routes. Mussolini had already accepted Soviet influence in Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, the Black Sea and up to the mouth of the Dunube in order to adapt to Soviet Russia. Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan were also accepted under Russian influence. Now the bells of war started ringing in Italy.
World War II
During the First World War, Mussolini opposed Germany and preached about fighting on the side of the Allies. King Emanuele of Italy fought on behalf of the Allies in World War I, but Mussolini himself had to decide whether to participate in World War II. By this time Hitler had become a good friend of Germany's dictator-ruler.
Therefore Mussolini decided to enter the field on behalf of Germany in World War II. Anyway, Mussolini could not fight with the Lijlije socialists like England and France. 'Dhuri Rashtra' to the countries fighting on behalf of Germany And to the countries fighting on behalf of England 'Friends' was called King of Italy 'Emanuel ' Hitler did not like both the war and the war, but neither of them did.
Clara Petacchi
When World War II was just starting, Clara Petacchi A young woman named Mussolini succeeded in coming close to Mussolini. She soon became Mussolini's girlfriend. The Italian army and intelligence department believed that it was sent to Mussolini on behalf of Hitler and communicated to Hitler the information about the decisions being made within the government.
So one day the chiefs of the police, army and intelligence met each other and after deliberating the three consulted the fascist army 'Gargano' A Memorandum was prepared with the help of
All these officers personally presented this memorandum to Mussolini which said that 'Clara' Hitler's spy. Therefore Mussolini should remove this woman from himself. Mussolini was furious on seeing this memorandum. All these officers were immediately removed from their posts.
World War II Begins
Within a few days, World War II broke out in Europe. Hitler and Mussolini started the war, their main targets were Britain and France. Many other countries also could not remain indifferent to this war and more powers were added on both sides. Within a few days the world was clearly divided into two parts. The leaders of half the world were Mussolini, Hitler and Tojo, while the rest of the world was being controlled by Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt.
Mussolini in trouble
Hitler destroyed France but Mussolini could not keep his country in his favor. From the king to the subjects, from journalists to soldiers, no one was pleased with Mussolini's war policy. The result was that Mussolini's fascist armies could not fight diligently and the Italian army was defeated on many fronts. Finally the British army reached Sicily.
Mussolini flees to meet Hitler 'Feltre' Gone. Hitler asked Mussolini to stand at the front because such weapons were being manufactured in Germany that would soon turn America and England into a pile of ashes. Mussolini returned to Rome rejoicing. By that time the bombings had begun on Rome.
Rome will be ruined
Mussolini met King Victor Emanuele (III) and told him that the future was very promising, but the king told Mussolini that the future was very gloomy. During air raids, German soldiers flee the front and Italian soldiers are killed. We have lost Sicily, we better get out of the war. If this war is not stopped, Rome will be doomed. Mussolini left in anger with the king.
Grand Council Meeting
When Mussolini did not accept the king's advice, the king called a meeting of the Grand Council. The meeting of the Grand Council was held in the royal palace. Mussolini became aware that the leader of the opposition party in this meeting 'Grandi' Will move a no-confidence motion against Mussolini.
Mussolini put a guard of the Fascist army around the royal palace. By order of Mussolini, the vehicles of the members of the Grand Council were taken to the inner courtyard of the royal palace. The doors of their vehicles were closed and the inside was covered with black veils. All the members were wearing black clothes. A total of 36 members came to participate in this meeting. They got down from their vehicles and went straight to the House.
The door of the house was closed as soon as the members entered. Mussolini soon entered the House. He was wearing the uniform of the chief of the fascist army. His face was looking very tough but the members did not even look at him.
Mussolini went straight to the chair and announced in very harsh words - 'Today's meeting of the Grand Council will consider the events of Sicily. After the fall of Sicily, the residents there welcomed the Allied armies as their saviors. The Italian soldiers put up little resistance to the enemy while the German soldiers bravely fought the enemy till the end.'
Then Grandi stood up. He said- 'I declare that our army is not to blame for the destruction and disaster of Italy. Its only blame is on Mussolini. He has been thrown into the arms of Germany, betraying the Italian public. I told Mussolini on the same day that you have dragged our country into war against the country's prestige, spirit and honor. Today the mothers of Italy are shouting that Mussolini killed our sons in battle.'
After this there was a long debate between the two leaders. Meanwhile, Grandi moved a motion of no confidence against Mussolini. On this Mussolini adjourned the proceedings of the house saying- 'I started the war, now I will end it.'
On this the members strongly opposed Mussolini and heated debate continued in the House till 2 o'clock in the night. In the end, voting was held on the proposal. There were 19 votes against Mussolini and 17 in support. Mussolini was defeated in the House.
Mussolini made a statement before leaving the house that- 'You people have brought a crisis on governance. With this the monarchy will come to light again and democracy will end.'
The Secretary of the Fascist Party wanted to move a motion of thanks for Mussolini's services so far, but Mussolini refused to move the motion and left the house after wrapping his papers. He ordered the army to take Grandi and Siano captive. Ciano was Mussolini's son-in-law, but at this time he also stood up against Mussolini.
Meeting with King Victor
The next day in the evening Mussolini went to meet the king in his palace. At this time he was not in military uniform but in ordinary civilian clothes. This was the rule for any senior (prime minister) to go before the king. The king welcomed Seinor by standing on the steps of the palace.
At this time the king was wearing the uniform of a marshal. Mussolini was shocked to see this welcome, but the king took her very lovingly to his room.
Mussolini told the king that- 'The council has passed a no-confidence motion against him, but I do not consider it any importance because it is a war-time.
The king explained to Mussolini that- 'He should respect the council's decision and resign from his post because no one in Italy likes him anymore. Now he is the most disgusting person in Italy. Marshal Bodgolio is supported by the army and the police. So now the responsibility of the security of the country has been given to Bodgolio.'
Mussolini was disappointed to hear the king. The meeting ended in about 20 minutes.
Mussolini's Arrest
Mussolini came down the stairs of the palace and started looking for his car, when a marshal came and saluted him and said that you come in this car. Mussolini saw a closed Red Cross car parked in front of him.
Mussolini asked- 'Am I being arrested?'
The officer replied- 'Yes deuce you are being arrested.'
जिस समय रेडक्रॉस की चारों ओर से बंद गाड़ी में मुसोलिनी को राजा के महल से गिरफ्तार करके सैनिक बैरकों में ले जाया जा रहा था, उस समय रोम की सड़कों पर मित्र-राष्ट्रों की सेनाएं बम गिरा रही थीं। ये बम मुसोलिनी ने ही आमंत्रित किए थे। अगले दिन सुबह रोम के लोगों को ज्ञात हुआ कि मुसोलिनी को गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया है।
लोग खुशी के मारे सड़कों पर निकल आए। उन्होंने मुसोलिनी के चित्र जलाए और फासिस्ट पार्टी के कार्यालय पर हमला बोलकर उसे तहस-नहस कर दिया। मुसोलिनी को रोम से निकालकर कोटे-डी सियानो नामक द्वीप पर ले जाया गया जहाँ किसी समय रोमन सम्राट ऑगस्टस की राजकुमारी जूलिया, रोमन सम्राट नीरो की माता ‘ऐग्रिप्पिना’ तथा रोम के एक पोप को भी निर्वासन में रखा गया था।
फासिस्टवादी गडरिए से भेंट
जिस द्वीप पर मुसोलिनी को रखा गया था, उस द्वीप पर मित्र-राष्ट्रों की सेनाएं बम गिराने लगीं तो मुसोलिनी को अन्यत्र ले जाया गया। 25 जुलाई 1943 को मुसोलिनी ने अपने पद से त्यागपत्र दे दिया। जब हिटलर के कार्यालय से मुसोलिनी के बारे में पूछताछ की गई तो इटली की सरकार ने उसे कोई स्पष्ट जवाब नहीं दिया। अंत में हिटलर को मुसोलिनी की गिरफ्तारी के बारे में पता लग गया।
उसने रोम में स्थित जर्मन राजदूत को आदेश दिया कि वह मुसोलिनी से भेंट करे किंतु नए प्रधानमंत्री ने इसकी अनुमति नहीं दी। कुछ दिन बाद मुसोलिनी को तीन हजार फुट की ऊँचाई पर स्थित ‘ग्रानसासो’ नामक स्थान पर ले जाया गया। एक दिन जब मुसोलिनी पहाड़ी पर टहल रहा था, तब एक गड़रिए ने मुसोलिनी को पहचान लिया। वह फासिस्ट पार्टी का सदस्य रह चुका था।
गड़रिए ने बताया कि- ‘जर्मन सेना आपको ढूंढती हुई रोम के दरवाजे तक आ चुकी है। जर्मन सेना को बताया गया है कि आप स्पेन भाग गए हैं जबकि इटली के लोगों को बताया गया है कि आपको गोली मार दी गई है। आप चिंता न करें। मैं आपके यहाँ होने की सूचना जर्मन सैनिकों तक पहुँचा दूंगा।’
मुसोलिनी की मुक्ति
अपने पुराने नेता के प्रति वफादारी दिखाते हुए उस गड़रिए ने यह बात रोम जाकर जर्मन सैनिकों को बता दी। आनन-फानन में यह सूचना हिटलर को भिजवाई गई। हिटलर ने कैप्टेन स्कोर्जनी को आदेश दिया कि वह अभी तत्काल इटली जाए और मुसोलिनी को छुड़ा कर लाए। कैप्टेन स्कोर्जनी ने ग्लेडियरों की सहायता से अपने सैनिक ठीक उसी पहाड़ी पर उतार दिए जहाँ मुसोलिनी को बंदी बनाया गया था।
जब मुसोलिनी ने इन ग्लेडियरों को पहाड़ी पर उतरते हुए देखा तो उसने सोचा कि मित्र-राष्ट्रों की सेना उसे पकड़ने के लिए आई है किंतु बाद में उसे ज्ञात हुआ कि ये जर्मन सैनिक हैं तथा मुसोलिनी के उद्धार के लिए आए हैं। कैप्टेन स्कोर्जनी मुसोलिनी को एक विमान में बैठाकर उसी समय जर्मनी ले गया। जर्मन सेना ने उसी दिन मुसोलिनी की पत्नी को भी उसके घर से निकाल कर जर्मनी पहुँचा दिया।
नया समझौता
बर्लिन में हिटलर और मुसोलिनी के बीच एक नया समझौता हुआ जिसके अनुसार हिटलर ने इटली में दुबारा मुसोलिनी की फासिस्ट सरकार बनाने का वचन दिया तथा मुसोलिनी ने इटली के कुछ क्षेत्र जर्मनी को देने स्वीकार किए।
मुसोलिनी की वापसी
मुसोलिनी इटली लौट आया। इस बार उसने अपना मुख्यालय गार्गनानो नामक स्थान पर बनाया तथा वहाँ से देश की जनता के नाम से संदेश प्रसारित किया कि इटली में फासिस्ट सरकार का पुनर्गठन कर दिया गया है तथा शासन की बागडोर पुनः मुसोलिनी ने अपने हाथ में ले ली है। इटैलियन और जर्मन अंतिम क्षण तक मित्र-राष्ट्रों के विरुद्ध लड़ते रहेंगे।
मुसोलिनी के आते ही इटली का राजा रोम छोड़कर मित्र-राष्ट्रों की शरण में चला गया। ग्राण्ड कौंसिल की बैठक में मुसोलिनी के विरुद्ध वोट देने वाले समस्त 19 सदस्यों को पकड़कर उन पर मुकदमा चलाया गया। इनमें से 18 लोगों को प्राणदण्ड दिया गया, जिनमें मुसोलिनी का दामाद काउण्ट सियानो भी था। एक व्यक्ति को तीस साल की कैद की गई।
मुसोलिनी की बेटी एडा सियानो ने मुसोलिनी से प्रार्थना की कि वह अपने दामाद को छोड़ दे किंतु मुसोलिनी ने मना कर दिया। एडा हिटलर के पास गई किंतु हिटलर ने कहा कि मैं मुसोलिनी से कुछ नहीं कह सकता। एडा के पास कुछ गुप्त सरकारी कागज थे, उनके बदले में उसने अपने पति को छुड़वाना चाहा किंतु मुसोलिनी ने मना कर दिया।
इसके बाद एडा यूरोप के प्रत्येक उस प्रभावशाली व्यक्ति के पास गई जिसका मुसोलिनी पर प्रभाव था किंतु मुसोलिनी ने सभी को इन्कार कर दिया।
रोम पर मित्र-राष्ट्रों का अधिकार
मुसोलिनी के दोबारा सत्ता में आने के बाद भी फासिस्ट सेनाएं हारती ही चली गईं। इसका मुख्य कारण इटली की वे देशभक्त सेनाएं थीं जो मुसोलिनी को अपना नेता नहीं मानती थीं। उन्होंने ‘राष्ट्रीय मुक्ति सेना’ बना ली थी जो युद्ध में मुसोलिनी का साथ नहीं दे रही थी। 4 जून 1944 को रोम पर मित्र-राष्ट्रों की सेनाओं का अधिकार हो गया।
मुसोलिनी की हत्या
अप्रेल 1945 में मीलान शहर में मुसोलिनी तथा राष्ट्रीय मुक्ति सेना के अधिकारियों के बीच बैठक आयोजित की गई। राष्ट्रीय मुक्ति सेना जर्मनी और हिटलर से सम्बन्ध तोड़ने और युद्ध बंद करने की मांग कर रही थीं किंतु मुसोलिनी इन शर्तों को स्वीकार नहीं कर सकता था। मुसोलिनी बैठक से बाहर निकला तथा एक बंद मोटरगाड़ी में बैठकर अपने कुछ विश्वस्त साथियों एवं जर्मन अंगरक्षकों के साथ कोमो नामक शहर के लिए रवाना हो गया।
मार्ग में क्लारा भी उसे मिल गई। देशभक्त सेनाओं को मुसोलिनी के भागने का पता चल गया। उन्होंने मुसोलिनी के काफिले का पीछा किया तथा उसके बहुत से अंगरक्षकों को गोली मारी दी। अंत में वे लोग डोंगो पहुँचे। यहाँ देशभक्त सैनिकों के दस्ते ने नाकाबंदी करके इस काफिले को रोक लिया तथा प्रत्येक गाड़ी की तलाशी ली और सभी को उतारकर गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया।
अंत में एक जर्मन लॉरी की तालशी ली गई जिसमें ड्राइवर के केबिन की पीछे एक आदमी जर्मन आवेर कोट पहने हुए झपकियां ले रहा था। उसका लौह-टोप आंखों तक आगे की ओर लटका हुआ था जिससे उसका चेहरा ढंका हुआ था। ओवरकोट का कॉलर भी ऊंचा उठा हुआ था तथा आंखों पर काला चश्मा था।
जब जर्मन लोगों से पूछा गया कि यह कौन है तो जर्मन सिपाहियों ने जवाब दिया कि यह हमारा साथी है जो बहुत अधिक शराब पिए हुए है किंतु उनका यह ‘झूठ’ काम नहीं आया। देशभक्त सैनिकों के कर्नल बेलारियो तथा रेंजो नामक एक सैनिक ने मुसोलिनी को पहचान लिया। उसे तुरंत गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया।
26 अप्रैल 1945 को राष्ट्रीय मुक्ति सेना ने मुसोलिनी एवं उसके साथियों को अमरीकी सेना के हवाले कर दिया। 28 अप्रैल 1945 को मुसोलिनी, उसकी प्रेमिका क्लारा पेटाची और मुसोलिनी के सहयोगियों की हत्या करके उनके शव बेहद भद्दे तरीके से मीलान शहर में ले जाकर चौराहे पर टांग दिए गए।
लोगों ने मुसोलिनी तथा उसके साथियों के चेहरों पर घृणा से थूका तथा उनके चेहरे पर कीचड़ लगाकर अपने क्रोध का प्रदर्शन किया। इसी के साथ इटली में फासीवादी आंदोलन का अंत हो गया। अमरीकी सैनिक मुसोलिनी का मस्तिष्क निकालकर अमरीका ले गए ताकि उसके मस्तिष्क का अध्ययन किया जा सके।
मुसोलिनी के साथ चल रही गाड़ियों से एक अरब लीरा (इटैलिनयन मुद्रा), 66 किलो स्वर्ण, 1 करोड़ 60 लाख फ्रैंक (फ्रैंच सिक्का), 2 लाख स्विस फ्रैंक, ब्रिटिश पौण्ड, भारी मात्रा में अमरीकी डॉलर, स्पेन की मुद्रा, पुर्तगाल का क्यूडो भी प्राप्त हुए। हीरे-जवाहरात की अंगूठियां भी बहुत संख्या में थीं।