Fascism : Part A Trivia Quiz

Answer: Benito Mussolini

Italian dictator Mussolini was originally a Socialist newspaper editor, but was estranged from the Italian Socialist movement after he voiced his support for Italy's involvement in World War I. Mussolini was the first to establish a Fascist party with a mass following and to set up a Fascist state. All the key elements of the ideology predated 1914.

Incidentally, Mussolini is also credited with the first "choreographed" mass political parades.

Answer: Antonio Salazar

António de Oliveira Salazar ruled from 1932 to 1968 and was often accused of being a Fascist due to his authoritarian style and control over the economy, as well as for his close links with the Catholic Church. He supported Francisco Franco during the Spanish Civil War but reportedly disliked Hitler and aided the Allies during World War II. Most historians would consider him a proto-Fascist, but not of the same caliber as Mussolini or even Franco.

He can be classed with dictators such as Austria's Engelbert Dollfuss and Brazil's Getulio Vargas.

Answer: False

Nazi Germany and Italy were often at odds with each other during the early and mid 1930s. Mussolini was worried about Germany invading Austria and threatening Italy's sovereignity. He was also quite upset when Austrian Nazis murdered Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss, a personal friend of his. Many Italian fascists found Nazi anti-Semitism repugnant.

Answer: Falange

Francisco Franco didn't found the Falange, but did utilize it and ultimately merge it with his rebellion and later it served as the political arm of his dictatorship.

Answer: Alfred Rosenberg

Rosenberg was a virulent anti-Semite and responsible for articulating much of Nazi Germany's racist ideology. He was also the chief adminstrator of occupied areas of the Soviet Union. The Nuremberg Tribunal found him guilty of conspiracy to commit crimes against peace, planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

He received a death sentence and was executed in 1946.

Answer: Hungary

Italy invaded Ethiopia (or Abyssinia) in 1935, Albania in 1939 and Greece in 1940. The Greek invasion was a disaster for Mussolini and Hitler had to bail him out. Hungary was actually an Axis power.

Answer: Ion Antonescu

Antonescu ruled from 1940 to 1944. He was appointed Prime Minister by King Carol II. Two days later, he forced the King to abdicate. Antonescu gave himself the title "Conducator" (Leader) and led Romania during its disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany during World War II.

Answer: William Dudley Pelley

Dudley Pelley founded the Silver Shirts or Silver Legion in the 1930's. He was a respected Hollywood screenwriter until he became consumed by his fascist beliefs. The U.S. government charged him with treason and sedition due to his anti-government activities and fascist sympathies. Pelley served 8 years in prison.

Answer: Ezra Pound

Ezra Pound hated American capitalism (which, he thought, treated poets and artists badly) and equally disliked Communism. He moved to Italy in the mid 1920's and while there became a strong supporter of Fascism and spoke on Italian radio. Allied forces captured him and the U.S. military sent him back to America to face charges of treason.

He was declared insane and was institutionalized for several years. He died in Italy in 1972.

Answer: Anti-Comintern Pact

Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact in order to cooperate against the Soviet Union. Italy joined in 1937. This pact was the beginning of the formal Axis. The Pact of Steel of May 1939 would solidify the Axis by formally allying Germany and Italy and committed both nations to mutual defense as well as coordination of military planning and production.