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Galeazzo ChianoItalian politician and diplomat of the fascist period, son-in-law of Mussolini.
Date of Birth: 18.03.1903
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Galeazzo Ciano: A Controversial Figure in Fascist Italy
- Early Life and Career
- Rise to Power
- Foreign Policy
- Opposition to Mussolini
- Arrest and Execution
- Legacy
Galeazzo Ciano: A Controversial Figure in Fascist Italy
Galeazzo Ciano was an Italian politician and diplomat during the fascist era. He was also the son-in-law of Benito Mussolini, the dictator of Italy.
Early Life and Career
Born in Livorno, Italy, in 1903, Ciano earned a law degree before joining the diplomatic service. He served as an attaché in Rio de Janeiro, where he met and married Edda Mussolini, the daughter of Benito Mussolini, in 1930.
Rise to Power
Upon returning to Italy, Ciano rose through the ranks of the fascist regime. He served as Minister of Press and Propaganda and played a role in the Ethiopian campaign, commanding a squadron of bombers. In 1936, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a post previously held by Mussolini.
Foreign Policy
As Foreign Minister, Ciano played a controversial role. He authorized the sale of Italy's secret codes to other nations. While Mussolini drew closer to Nazi Germany, Ciano grew increasingly disillusioned with his policies.
Opposition to Mussolini
From 1943, Ciano actively worked to end Italy's involvement in the war. This led to his dismissal as Foreign Minister and appointment as ambassador to the Vatican. On July 24, 1943, he supported a resolution at the Fascist Grand Council to remove Mussolini from office.
Arrest and Execution
The new government of Marshal Badoglio dismissed Ciano, and he fled with his family to Germany. However, the Germans arrested him and handed him over to the authorities of the Italian Social Republic. Under pressure from Hitler and with Mussolini's indifference, Ciano was sentenced to death and executed in January 1944.
Legacy
Ciano's wife, Edda, preserved his diaries (1939-1943), which provide valuable insights into the leading political figures of fascist Italy and Nazi Germany. The diaries were first published in New York in 1946 (in an abridged form) and in full in 2002. Ciano has been portrayed in several films, including "Mussolini and Me" (1985), where he was played by Anthony Hopkins.
