Mussolini Becomes A Yellow Socialist

Mussolini launched Il Popolo d'Italia, a new newspaper, in October of 1914.  In his editorials, he came out in full support of Italian intervention into World War I.  By December, he had denounced traditional "red" socialism, for failing to recognize that the war had made the nation more important than class distinction, coming out fully as a "yellow," or national socialist.

Class cannot destroy the nation...

"The nation has not disappeared," he said, in a speech he gave about nationhood.  "We used to believe that the concept was totally without substance.  Instead, we see the nation arise as a palpitating reality before us!  Class cannot destroy the nation.  Class reveals itself as a collection of interests... but the nation is a history of sentiments, traditions, language, culture and race.  Class can become an integral part of the nation, but one cannot eclipse the other."

While denouncing orthodox socialism and its exclusive focus on class conflict, he affirmed that he was a national socialist in the tradition of Giuseppe Garibaldi, Giuseppe Mazzini and Carlo Pisacane.  

National socialism formed the basic principals of his newly
formed political movement...

French socialists, who supported dissident Italian socialists that favored intervention into the war in support of the French, financed Mussolini, as  did Italian armament company, Ansaldo, who helped fund his newspaper.

National socialism formed the basic principals of his newly formed political movement, the Fasci d' Azione Rivoluzionaria, who referred to themselves as Fascisti.  Although small in numbers, their movement was regularly attacked by radical socialists opposed to Italy's intervention into the war.  These attacks were so violent that even democratic socialists such as Anna Kuliscoff, themselves opposed to the war, said the Italian Socialist Party had gone too far in its efforts to silence opponents.  These attacks would later shape Mussolini's views in support of the use of political violence, a tactic that would eventually lead to his rise to power.  

He was promoted "for merit in war"...

Believing in action, Mussolini volunteered, himself, to join the Italian army.  He was initially turned away, due to his history of radical socialism, but was called back on August 31, 1915 and reported to an elite unit, the Bersaglieri.  His service was admirable, as illustrated by an Italian Inspector General Report which stated, "He was promoted to the rank of corporal 'for merit in war.'  The promotion was recommended because of his exemplary conduct and fighting quality, his mental calmness and lack of concern for discomfort, his zeal and regularity in carrying out his assignments, where he was always first in every task involving labor and fortitude."

Wounded in February of 1917, when a mortar exploded nearby, he was evacuated from battle and was later discharged from the military, due to the severity of his injuries.  He resumed his role as editor of Il Popolo d' Italia, but the sacrifice for country and discipline he had learned in the military would stick with him throughout his life.  

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