Benito Mussolini, nicknamed "The Duce" once an educator and journalist, became Europe's first modern day Fascist Dictator, and prior to his coming to power Mussolini's political beliefs changed with the direction of the wind.
Mussolini settled on Fascism because he believed it offered the most support for his cause and was a popular movement at the time that he believed would allow him to ferment his dream, the return of (The Roman Empire). He joined with Adolf Hitler in 1940 to further his ambitions.
HOW AND WHY IT HAPPENED!
In 1922, Italy was in dire straits financially and socially. The country was on the verge of civil war and the people were desperate for a change that they believed would make their lives better.
The country had fallen apart economically after the first world war and social unrest was on the verge of tearing the county apart. The Italian people longed for the glories of old and Mussolini was a master of propaganda and rhetoric.
Many European leaders at the time thought Mussolini an idiot, but he was able to show his savvy and understanding of politics and force the countries rightful monarch, King Victor Emmanuel III to declare him Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 to avoid civil war.
He further cemented his power base by reaching financial agreements with the Pope in exchange for his support and endorsement of his leadership, although Mussolini had openly declared his atheist beliefs in the past he understood the importance of the church.
In October 1926, after an assassination scare, Mussolini ended all pretense and officially declared Italy a Fascist Government with King Victor Emmanuel III delegated to the status of figurehead.
The Duce “which meant leader", then began his serious crackdown on Italian society by abolishing all other political parties, eliminating free press, and unleashing his Italian Secret Police force to terrorize any opponents of his policies.
Many historians consider Adolf Hitler histories most ruthless and notorious dictator, but it's a fact that Mussolini ruled Italy for over ten years as a fascist dictator before Hitler even achieved power in Germany.
Hitler admired Mussolini and modeled many of his policies around the Italian model created by Mussolini, such as his Italian Secret Police which he emulated and which was the basis for his feared and hated Gestapo.
The two dictators shared many similar beliefs such as anti-Semitism and formed the Rome-Berlin Alliance in 1936. Mussolini often compared himself to Jesus and Napoleon.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END, OR WAS IT?
In 1940 Mussolini joined with Hitler in his war of conquest against Europe. The war was not popular, but any opposition to Mussolini's wishes were dealt with harshly by his Italian Secret Police.
The Italian war machine was not equal to Germany's and although Mussolini had military success in places like Ethiopia, his inability to conquer Greece was an embarrassment to Hitler.
The Italian people were fed up with the war in Europe, with Germany, and fascism in Italy. The Allied invasion of Sicily was the kicker that created the downfall of "The Duce."
On July, 25th 1943, King Victor Emmanuel III got a small amount of revenge and satisfaction when upon the recommendation of “The Grand Council of the Fascist Party” he ordered the arrest and imprisonment of Benito Mussolini.
MUSSOLINI RETURNS AS A PUPPET
Adolph Hitler was furious when he learned of Mussolini's arrest and tumble from grace. A daring air rescue successfully retrieved Mussolini from his prison and returned him to Hitler where a surprised Adolf Hitler found Mussolini's spirit drained and he initially declined Hitler's offer to forcefully reinstate him as Italy's leader.
Germany controlled Northern Italy and "The Duce" was reluctantly declared the puppet leader of the new "Italian Social Republic." Mussolini was no longer calling the shots and Italy basically became an occupied country.
Germany pillaged as much resources from their former Italian allies as possible and the Italian people suffered greatly under the new regime. Fascism in Italy came to a brutal and devastating end on April 28, 1945 when Mussolini was attempting to flee the country.
Benito Mussolini and his mistress Clara Petacci were caught in a road block by extreme Italian partisans and were both shot to death.
Their mutilated bodies were strung up and displayed for public exhibition. Mussolini's fascist idea's and steel-fisted rule was over and Italy was ecstatic. The allies eventually liberated all of Italy with people dancing and celebrating in the streets and glad that Mussolini had crumbled.
reference: Wallace, Robert "The Italian Campaign."
World War II 1978
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