Mussolini: The First Fascist

Season 1

A masterful orator, Benito Mussolini seized power in Italy in October 1922, four years after the end of the First World War. Using the threat of chaos, he seized power in a legal coup that would inspire many dictators. The son of a far-left activist, Mussolini enjoyed the support of employers and many veterans. By promising the Italian people a return to greatness, repressing communists and suppressing civil liberties, he won the admiration of many in the 1920s, and reached the height of his popularity during the Ethiopian War in 1935.

Where to Watch Season 1

2 Episodes

Rise to Power
E1
Rise to PowerIn the autumn of 1922, Benito Mussolini seized power. His legal coup d'etat starting on 24 October in Naples is a masterpiece. Mussolini is called the father of fascism because of his way of governing.
The Fall of a Dictator
E2
The Fall of a DictatorIn the mid-1930s, Mussolini became increasingly radical after fifteen years in power. He has an obsession: he wants to transform the Italians into 'new people' and dreams of a restoration of the Roman Empire.