Although Hitler’s grip on Germany was much tighter than Mussolini’s grip on Italy, they were, in essence, more alike than different due to their similar rightist political views and their policies intended for controlling the masses, which were established upon their fascist ideals. Both Hitler and Mussolini were leaders of far-right political parties that geared toward the Communist-fearing middle and upper classes. The men themselves also had an antagonistic view of communism.After a brief stint with the Socialist Party, Mussolini shifted from leftist to rightist politics, gaining support from “...middle-class industrialists fearful of working-class agitation and large landowners who objected to the agricultural strikes.” (Spielvogel 814)
