Charismatic leadership: Hitler and Mussolini were charismatic figures who commanded personal loyalty from their followers. They were skilled orators and propagandists, capable of swaying the masses with their speeches and their ability to create an emotional bond with the public.
Alliance and Axis Powers: Hitler and Mussolini formalized their alliance in the Pact of Steel in 1939. This alliance played a significant role in the formation of the Axis Powers, a coalition of countries that fought against the Allied forces during World War II.
Territorial expansion: Both leaders were driven by the desire to expand their territories and establish empires. Hitler's Lebensraum policy sought to acquire more living space for the German people, particularly in Eastern Europe. Mussolini, on the other hand, aimed to revive the Roman Empire and expand Italy's influence in the Mediterranean and North Africa.
Aggression and warmongering: Hitler and Mussolini were not hesitant to resort to military aggression to achieve their political objectives. They engaged in aggressive military campaigns, starting with the invasion of Poland in 1939 by Germany, which marked the beginning of World War II. Mussolini's military initiatives included the invasion of Ethiopia and Albania.
Antisemitism and racism: Both Hitler and Mussolini held deeply racist and antisemitic views. Hitler's antisemitism was a key component of Nazi ideology and led to the persecution and genocide of Jews during the Holocaust. While Mussolini's regime did not engage in the systematic extermination of Jews, it pursued discriminatory policies and collaborated with Nazi Germany in the persecution of Jews.