Benito Mussolini's role as navy minister sat above a series of weaker Italian chiefs of staff. The interpretation given here is that he retained the portfolio partly because senior admirals in the Senate were powerful opponents who needed to be counterbalanced. Visible enthusiasm for the service could help keep those officers on side even when relations remained difficult. Formal ministerial control, elite politics, and naval procurement were closely entangled under Fascism.
Notable Point · 25:00-25:45
Mussolini's navy ministry and admiral opposition
Mussolini's position as navy minister is presented partly as an attempt to manage powerful senators and senior admirals who opposed him.