Mussolini and the Black Shirts, 1922
Mussolini always struck a tough military pose, even when not in uniform, as in this photo taken in 1922 with his Black Shirt supporters, many also without uniforms. Once in power, Mussolini continued the militarization of society that had begun during World War I, instilling a cult of obedience and submission to state authority that he viewed as more important than fancy theories of politics and government. (The Granger Collection, NYC—All rights reserved.)