Which Italian dictator founded fascism?

The correct response is Mussolini because he is recognized as the founder of fascism in Italy during the early 20th century. Fascism, as an ideology, emphasizes the importance of the state above the individual, advocating for a centralized government led by a dictatorial leader, as well as the idea of national strength and unity through authoritarian measures. Mussolini's regime, which began in the 1920s, shaped the core principles of fascism, promoting aggressive nationalism and often militaristic expansion as key components of Italian identity.

In contrast, other figures listed, such as Franco, Hitler, and Salazar, were associated with different ideologies and political movements. For instance, Franco was the leader of Spain and is often associated with authoritarian nationalism and conservatism, rather than fascism per se. Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany and while his regime operated under a fascist-inspired ideology, it was distinctively centered around racial purity and did not originate fascism. Salazar was the leader of Portugal and established an authoritarian regime known as the Estado Novo, which had some fascist characteristics but was not a pilot of fascist ideology itself. Hence, Mussolini is credited specifically with founding and defining fascism as a movement.