Abstract:
The two decades of fascism had a great impact on 20th century Italian history. This highly criticised and discussed period could be entirely linked to Benito Mussolini’s name. The Duce’s leading role is undoubtable even though in the beginning Mussolini’s primacy wasn’t that definite at all. A hundred years ago, when fascism was born, there were many fellow party members who could have replaced him in case. Who were they? Who were the persons representing fascism at home and abroad, standing besides Mussolini? What kind of similarities and/or differences could be detected within mind and mentality of all those who – just like millions of others – could not refrain themselves from the Duce’s shadow? This paper tries to find answers to these questions.
