Mmastodon WorldUS Politics first seen 4 h ago, last 3 h ago, peak #8

Sumner Welles quote on Italian elites and Mussolini circulates

Original: Of Italy, Sumner Welles, former Under Secretary of State, writes that "especially the reactionary elements and the large

A passage from former US Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles is being widely shared, quoting him as saying that in Italy the reactionary elements and the larger banking and industrial interests welcomed Mussolini's dictatorship. Readers are highlighting the observation as a historical lesson about how business and conservative elites can back authoritarian governments. Some frame it as a warning with echoes in current American politics, which has revived interest in Welles's writings.

Why now: The quote is being resurfaced as commentary drawing parallels between historical elite support for fascism and present-day politics.

Sumner WellesBenito MussoliniItalyUnited States

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Evidence

• Of Italy, Sumner Welles, former Under Secretary of State, writes that "especially the reactionary elements and the larger banking and industrial interests, welcomed the dictatorship of Mussolini..." # fascism # uspol # history # propaganda · army_talk_fascism · 8

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