Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was dictator of Italy in the time of World War II.He was head of one of the totalitarian forms of government seen in Europe in this time. He called his political structure Fascism, a term which was later used to describe any government which put the national identity above the people. Like all totalitarian forms of government, he bullied the weak.

Early Life

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was born July 29, 1883 and died April 28, 1945. Mussolini was born in the north Italian town of Pergine Valsugana in the northern Italian province of Trento. His father was a cobbler and his mother a washerwoman. The Mussolinis were a relatively poor family in comparison with the majority of the neighbours and it is believed that Mussolini was ridiculed by his peers at La scuola elementaria di Valsugana due to his shabby clothes and dirty appearance. Many historians attribute Mussolini's aggressive nature and his tendency to bully the weak during his reign as leader of Italy to this constant teasing. His father was a socialist and raised Mussolini as a socialist. He was named after Benito Juarez (Mexican President). At the age of 12 Benito was sent to an Italian Military academy in Turin where he completed his secondary education. Mussolini graduated from school in 1901 and then went on to study at L'Università di Roma where he completed a degree in Social Sciences. It was during his university days that Mussolini first became exposed to politics. It is reported that Mussolini would spend long afternoons in the university library reading the memoirs of various European kings and other books about political ideologies. At one time he was the editor of "Avanti" (socialist newspaper).

Break with Socialism

He graudally began to have a falling out with his fellow socialists. His final break with socialism came during World War 1, since he changed his former position of neutrality and supported Italy's involvement in the war. He then grew to despise socialism - the very ideology that he had advocated for years. Upon leaving socialism behind, Mussolini headed north to Venice where he joined the "Cullo Cappelli" (Italian for conservative soldiers) party.

Rise to Power

In 1923 after rising through the ranks Mussolini became the elected member for Tuscany in Italian Parliament. In 1927 he took over from Mario Felloni as the leader of Cullo Cappelli who were the opposition. Leading up to the 1928 election Mussolini began to begin his campaign. During this time Italy was in an economic slump and the Italian public were not satisfied with the president of the time, Francisco Delosini and his Treasurer Guido Michenelli's management of the federal budget. Mussolini preyed on this dissatisfaction and promised to eliminate all debt within the government. In 1922, Mussolini was invited by King Vittorio Emanuele III to form a new Italian government. A law passed on Christmas Eve 1925 changed Mussolini's title from "president of the Council of Ministers" (prime minister) to "head of the government." He was no longer responsible to Parliament, and could only be removed by the king.

Alliance with Hitler

In 1931 Mussolini first came into contact with Adolf Hitler at a European Leaders' convention and an alliance was formed. For the rest of the 1930's Mussolini began to recklessly spend Italy's money on obsolete arms which he planned to issue to the army if Hitler ever attempted to take over Europe.

World War II

In September 1939 when England and France declared war on Germany after they invaded Poland. Mussolini made the announcement that Italy would join Germany in the war effort against the allied forces. He waited however, until after France had surrendered before invading southern France and officially entering the war. During World War 2, he increased his military, limited free speech and pushed his political views on all of his country even more so.

Mussolini Deposed

When the Allies invaded the Italian island of Sicily in 1943, King Vittorio Emmanuel III panicked at the thought of an Allied invasion of the Italian mainland. He immediately stripped Mussolini of his power and ordered Mussolini to be arrested.

Reinstatement

He was rescued through covert operations by German special forces (most notably Otto Skorzeny) without a single casualty occuring during the rescue operation. Mussolini was then installed as the head of the German puppet state, Repubblica Sociale Italiana (RSI) based at Salo in northern Italy - hence its alternative name of the Salo Republic.

Capture and Death

He was later recaptured at the end of the war by partisans. He and his mistress were shot and hanged upside down.

Family Members

His legacy is continued by his neo-fascist granddaughter Alessandra Mussolini, who is a current member of the European Parliament. His daughter-in-law, Anna Maria Scicolone, was the sister of actress Sophia Loren.