[BenLurkin]

It was interesting that around 1936 about 45% of US adults viewed Roosevelt as a “dictator.”

He was known as "The American Mussolini." Even among his admirers.

[tentmaker]

It was interesting that around 1936 about 45% of US adults viewed Roosevelt as a “dictator.”

He was known as "The American Mussolini." Even among his admirers.

It's important to note that the words "fascism" and "dictator" did not have the same negative connotations then that they do now. Socialism was admired, but communism was considered a threat to modern civilization and particularly to property rights. Fascism was considered a good compromise that embraced the best parts of socialism (everybody working together in harmony) while avoiding the extremes of communism and allowing business to remain in private hands. The dictator was a strong leader who could make this work and save the country from communism. Mussolini was greatly admired by most Italians and many others at the time.

It was only after the war, when the death and destruction and the horrors of the holocaust were focused upon, that the words began to take on the negatives we associate with them today.

[Ohio Hermit]

He was known as “The American Mussolini.” Even among his admirers.

This wasn’t considered a bad thing in the ‘30s. Moussolini was highly regarded among the progressives. Cole Porter even lauded Il Duce in his hit “You’re the Top.” Can’t find that verse on line nowadays, though.