the blackshirts
Every dictator needs rats to do his bidding, and that was basically what the Blackshirts were for Mussolini. The armed squads of the Itlaian Fascists were known as Blackshirts, because of the colours of the uniforms they wore. The first Blackshirts were given their orders in 1919 to attack the Socialists in Italy. On February 1st, 1923, The private Blackshirts were turned into the national militia, known as the "Voluntary Fascist Militia for National Security". After the fall of Mussolini in 1943, the Blackshirts were discharged and the terror they inspired was ended.
"Blackshirt (Italian History)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68578/Blackshirt>.
"Black Shirts." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/black-shirts.html>.
"Blackshirt (Italian History)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 03 Dec. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/68578/Blackshirt>.
"Black Shirts." Infoplease. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/black-shirts.html>.