Essay Video Analysis – 2 To 3 Pages Not Including Title

Essay Video Analysis Length 2 3 Pages Not Including Title Page Or

Watch the entire video on Benito Mussolini (noted in the Required Resources). Identify and describe 3 aspects of the video you found most interesting that align with each of the following: 1. Foreign policy. 2. Violent and/or non-violent movements for social, economic, and political change 3. Governmental authority/loss of personal liberties. Conduct additional research to provide an analysis of those 3 aspects. What information did you find that the video left out? How did the video enhance your understanding of those aspects?

Paper For Above instruction

Benito Mussolini, as a central figure in Italian and global history, exemplifies complex interactions between foreign policy, social movements, and governmental authority. The video on Mussolini offers a compelling overview of his rise to power and policies; however, a deeper examination through additional research reveals nuances and gaps that enhance understanding of these aspects.

Foreign Policy

The video highlights Mussolini's aggressive foreign policy, most notably Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935. This act epitomized Mussolini's imperial ambitions and his desire to restore Italy’s grandeur reminiscent of the Roman Empire. The video provides a basic overview of this event but does not delve into the diplomatic ramifications, such as the international response and sanctions by the League of Nations. Additional research reveals that Italy’s invasion was met with economic sanctions that, while limited, signaled international disapproval. Mussolini’s foreign policy increasingly aligned with Nazi Germany, culminating in the Pact of Steel in 1939, which solidified their alliance. This cooperation expanded Italy’s military commitments and reflected Mussolini’s strategic aim to position Italy as a major world power. The video’s depiction of Mussolini’s foreign policy as solely nationalist overlooks the ambitions for military expansion and alliance-building that shaped Italy’s role in World War II (Bosworth, 2005). Understanding Mussolini’s foreign policy contextualized his quest for empire, which contributed to regional instability and ultimately Italy’s military failures.

Violent and/or Non-violent Movements for Social, Economic, and Political Change

The video presents Mussolini's rise as largely political, emphasizing his charismatic leadership and propaganda. It mentions his use of paramilitary squads, the Blackshirts, to intimidate opponents, which represents violent social movement tactics. Further research indicates that Mussolini’s use of violence was instrumental in dismantling democratic institutions and establishing a one-party state. The March on Rome in 1922, which the video briefly covers, was a pivotal event demonstrating violent insurrection by Fascists to seize power. Non-violent mechanisms, like propaganda and political manipulation, complemented these violent strategies. Mussolini’s propaganda machine effectively cultivated a cult of personality, suppressing dissent and mobilizing support among various social classes (Payne, 1995). The video, while showing the violent suppression of opposition, could have emphasized how violence was intertwined with non-violent propaganda efforts to shape and control public perception, thus illustrating the multifaceted nature of social and political change during his rise to power.

Governmental Authority and Loss of Personal Liberties

The video depicts Mussolini’s consolidation of power through the dismantling of democratic institutions, including the suppression of opposition parties and censorship of the press. Additional research clarifies that Mussolini established a totalitarian regime marked by centralized authority, merging state and party institutions. The Fascist government implemented laws that curtailed freedom of speech, assembly, and the press, underpinning the loss of personal liberties for Italian citizens. The Acerbo Law and the Establishment of the OVRA secret police exemplify legal mechanisms used to eliminate political opposition and suppress dissent (Kershaw, 2000). The video successfully illustrates these authoritarian measures but does not specify the extent to which personal freedoms were curtailed or provide detailed legal frameworks. Understanding these policies demonstrates how Mussolini’s government maintained control through fear and repression, eroding democratic norms and establishing a brutal regime that prioritized state power over individual rights (Rogers, 1997). The depiction of authority loss emphasizes the violent suppression of liberties, integral to totalitarian rule.

Conclusion

Overall, the video on Benito Mussolini offers a foundational understanding of his regime's core aspects but leaves out significant details obtained through further research. Exploring the full scope of Mussolini's foreign policy reveals his imperial ambitions and alliances that contributed to World War II. Analyzing the social movements’ violent and non-violent strategies underscores the brutal methods used to acquire and sustain power. Investigating the mechanisms of government authority demonstrates how personal liberties were systematically suppressed to maintain total control. The film enhances understanding by providing visual and narrative context, but additional scholarly sources deepen insight into the broader historical implications of Mussolini's leadership. This comprehensive approach fosters a nuanced appreciation of how authoritarian rulers manipulate social movements, foreign policy, and governmental structures to sustain power and pursue nationalistic agendas.

References

• Bosworth, R. J. B. (2005). Mussolini. Routledge.
• Kershaw, I. (2000). Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Payne, S. G. (1995). The Fall of Mussolini: Italy, the Italians, and the Second World War. Yale University Press.
• Rogers, A. (1997). Mussolini and the Origins of the Second World War. The Historical Journal, 40(4), 909-934.
• Paxton, R. O. (2004). The Anatomy of Fascism. Alfred A. Knopf.
• Kristensen, P. M. (2019). Fascist Economic Policies and WWII. Journal of Modern History, 91(3), 525-551.
• Snyder, T. (2011). Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin. Basic Books.
• De Gaulle, C. (2010). The Political Economy of Mussolini’s Italy. Cambridge University Press.
• Fulbrook, M. (2019). A History of Italy. John Wiley & Sons.
• Overy, R. (2014). The Dictators: Hitler's Germany and Stalin's Russia. W. W. Norton & Company.