Mussolini and Hitler: The Forging of the Fascist Alliance

Description

From 1934 until 1944 Mussolini met Hitler numerous times, and the two developed a relationship that deeply affected both countries. While Germany is generally regarded as the senior power, Christian Goeschel demonstrates just how much history has underrepresented Mussolini’s influence on his German ally. In this highly readable book, Goeschel, a scholar of twentieth-century Germany and Italy, revisits all of Mussolini and Hitler’s key meetings and asks how these meetings constructed a powerful image of a strong Fascist-Nazi relationship that still resonates with the general public. His portrait of Mussolini draws on sources ranging beyond political history to reveal a leader who, at times, shaped Hitler’s decisions and was not the gullible buffoon he's often portrayed as. The first comprehensive study of the Mussolini-Hitler relationship, this book is a must read for scholars and anyone interested in the history of European fascism, World War II, or political leadership. Cover page Halftitle page Title page Copyright page CONTENTS PLATES ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS INTRODUCTION I II III 1 IN MUSSOLINI’S SHADOW 1922–33 I II III IV V VI 2 FIRST DATE June 1934 I II III IV V 3 SECOND TIME AROUND September 1937 I II III IV V VI VII 4 SPRINGTIME FOR HITLER May 1938 I II III IV V VI VII VIII 5 ON THE ROAD TO WAR 1938–9 I II III IV V VI VII 6 POINT OF NO RETURN 1939–41 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX 7 INTO THE ABYSS 1941–3 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X 8 ENDGAME 1943–5 I II III IV V VI VII CONCLUSION ENDNOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX