Mussolini was born in Predappio, near Forli in Emilia-Romagna. He was the son of a blacksmith and a school teacher. His mother was a devout catholic and his father a socialist and republican. He was the eldest of three children and in his childhood helped his father where he became exposed to his political beliefs.
Mussolini Early Career
Mussolini was sent to boarding school but was expelled for bad behaviour. He then went on to achieve good grades and qualified as a teacher. In 1902, allegedly to avoid military service, he emigrated to Switzerland. It was during this time that he developed his revolutionary beliefs and returned to Italy two years later. Mussolini was imprisoned for a time for his political activities. On his release he began to work for a socialist publication as a political journalist and editor. He would went on to edit the nationalist newspaper Avanti but split with the socialists over their neutral stance in World War I. In order to publicise his belief that Italy should support the Allies, he founded Il Popolo d’Italia .
Mussolini The Fascist
Mussolini fought in the first World War and was injured. He founded the Fascist movement in 1919 supposedly to support ex-servicemen who were being neglected. However, the real intent of the movement was to promote the strong nationalistic approach Mussolini was committed to. He created the fascist groups of war veterans known as the ‘Blackshirts’ whose goal was to restore order to Italian streets. In 1922 Mussolinis National Fascist Party came into power and he became Prime Minister. He was supported by the King, the military, the business class and liberal right wingers.
Mussolini The Leader
In 1925 Mussolini took on the title ll Duce – the leader – and employed a mixture of fear, patronage and propaganda. By 1929 Italy had been developed into a totalitarian state. At this time, Mussolini was not driven by expansionism or aggression despite his fierce nationalism. However, by 1935 he had started to launch the Conquest of Abbysinnia and intervened in the Spanish Civil War. This open support of Franco and his developing relationships with Hitler eventually lead him to lose many of his supporters. Dissatisfied with his policy his own Fascist council turned on him following the invasion of Sicily in 1942. Mussolini had to be rescued and attempted to re-establish his authority. However he was unable to and fled with his mistress who was disguised as a German soldier. The Italian resistance discovered them and they were both executed.
Despite his fierce nationalistic views which led to his downfall, Mussolini did make some domestic achievements during his term of office. These include; the taming of the Pontine Marshes, improved job opportunities and public transport investment. He is also credited with creating access to drinking water across Italy, where water fountains can be found on most roads.
References:
'L'Altra Resistance' - photo and poster exhibition, Servigliano, Italy
Commando Supremo - Italy at War
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