Early Life

On July 29, 1883, Benito Mussolini was born in the village of Dovia, Italy. His parents were socialists and, along with his two other siblings, he and his family lived in a tiny two-room apartment. Food was often scarce, and these early living conditions made Benito bitter toward the wealthy. Due to his violent and disobedient behavior at school, he was sent to boarding school and was later expelled. When he returned to Dovia two years later, he excelled in school and even became a teacher.

Importance

Benito Mussolini was the creator of the Fascist Party in 1919. In 1922, Mussolini threatened to march on Rome. King Emmanuel III decided that he had to make Mussolini the prime minister of Italy. Mussolini declared dictatorship. Mussolini took away democracy in Italy and took control of industries, newspapers, police, and school. In 1935, Mussolini tried to expand the Roman Empire by taking over Ethiopia. In 1939, Italy conquered Albania. Benito joined Adolf Hitler in World War II.

Politics

Mussolini began as a socialist but was exiled from the party for his promotion of war. In 1919 he created the Fascist Party. Fascism meant that the government was in total control of politics, economy, religion, and social activities. In Fascism, industries are still under private ownership, but under government control. Mussolini believed in warlike policies and persecution of minorities. His foreign policy was to make Italy a major power.

Accomplishments

• Created the Fascist Party in 1919
• Became the Prime Minister of Italy
• Declared dictatorship of Italy
• Conquered Ethiopia in 1935
• Conquered Albania in 1939

Rise to Power

Threatened to march on Rome, which forced King Victor Emmanuel III to make Mussolini the prime minister of Italy. Three years later he declared dictatorship.

Loss of Power

Mussolini joined Adolf Hitler in World War II. The Allied Forces drove soldiers out of Italy and were going to take Mussolini down. Mussolini tried to escape the country, but was captured in Menaggio, Italy. He was executed the next day, April 28, 1945.