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Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was born in Forli in July 29 1883. He worked briefly as a schoolteacher and after that,he fled to Switzerland in 1902 in an effort to evade military service. When Benito Mussolini returned to Italy (1904) he worked as a journalist, for 10 years. Mussolini was active in the socialist movement but he changed his political beliefs and moved to right in 1914 when the Italian government failed to support the Triple Alliance. In 1915 Benito Mussolini left the Socialist Party because they supported the Allies.

Benito MussoliniIn November 1914 he founded a new paper, Il Popolo d'Italia, and the prowar group Fasci d'Azione Rivoluzionaria. When Italy entered the war Benito fought for the Italian Army. He was wounded and returned to Milan to edit the right-wing. Benito Mussolini attacked Vittorio Orlando for the disappointing results of the Versailles Peace Treaty. Fascism became an organized political movement in March 1919 when Mussolini founded the Fasci de Combattimento.. After a series of riots in 1922 King Victor Emmanuel III invited Benito Mussolini to form a government.

Benito MussoliniMussolini headed a coalition of fascists and nationalists and parliamentary government continued until the murder of the socialist leader, Giacomo Matteotti in 1924. Until 1925-1926 Benito Mussolini was able to assume dictatorial powers and dissolve all other political parties. Benito’s experience as a journalist was very useful helping him to develop a propaganda tactic at home or abroad.

Benito MussoliniOn 10th June 1940, Benito Mussolini declared war on Britain and France and four months later invaded Greece. But Italy suffered many Defeats in the Greek front, in Libya and in East Africa weakened Benito's prestige. In July 1943, faced with an Allied invasion, Victor Emmanuel III forced Mussolini to resign.

Benito Mussolini was imprisoned but was rescued by Germans on 12th September 1943. Mussolini now set up a fascist regime in German-occupied northern Italy. On 28th April Benito Mussolini was captured and shot by Italian partisans while attempting to escape to Switzerland.