Benito Mussolini, the 40th prime minister of Italy from 1922 to 1943, is regarded as a key player in the emergence of European fascism.
He was an ardent supporter of Adolf Hitler throughout World War II. Until his capture and execution by Italian partisans in 1945, Mussolini served as the leader of the Italian Social Republic after being succeeded as prime minister in 1947.
This article deals with the brief biography of the great dictator Benito Mussolini. Keep on reading to know more about Mussolini.
Benito Mussolini: Early Life
Benito Mussolini was born on July 29, 1883, as the son of a blacksmith from Predappio, Italy. During Mussolini’s childhood, he occasionally assisted his father in the blacksmith shop.
Because of his father’s involvement in politics, Mussolini’s political views were heavily influenced as he grew up. Mussolini attended school with his younger brothers. His mother was a teacher and was very religious.
Beginning Of Career In Politics
Mussolini entered politics after completing his graduation. He was a follower of the socialist party. He was imprisoned a few times for calling strikes or denouncing the government.
Initially, Mussolini opposed Italy’s involvement in World War I, but later he changed his mind. He believed that the Italian people would benefit from the war.
This viewpoint contrasted with that of the socialist party, which was anti-war. Thus he left the socialist party and enlisted in the military, serving there until he was injured in 1917.
Beginning Of Fascism
After leaving the military, Mussolini founded the Fascist Party in 1919. The Fascist Party was his political organization which he found aimed to return Italy to the time when it governed most of Europe during the Roman Empire.
Fascism can be defined as authoritarian nationalism. They wanted the people of the nation should be supporting their government and nation unwaveringly. The Fascist government often has a single but powerful leader.
As a result of their all-black attire, the party members earned the name Black Shirts. They were frequently violent and didn’t think twice to attack anybody who disagreed with them or supported the opposition.
Becoming A Dictator
The Blackshirts carried out a vengeful march across the northern Italian regions of Ravenna, Forli, and Ferrara in the summer of 1922. This squad set fire to the offices and residences of every member of socialist and communist organizations throughout that night.
The majority of northern Italy was under the Blackshirts’ by September 1922. In October 1922, Mussolini called a congress of the Fascist party to plan a sneak attack on Rome, the capital of Italy.
Blackshirts in armed formations marched into Rome on October 28. The action confused the parliamentary monarchy of King Victor Emmanuel III while being inadequately planned and armed.
The King proposed that Mussolini create a coalition government. Mussolini was in Milan then. He made his way to the capital after receiving the proposal. At the age of 39, Mussolini took the oath of office to become Italy’s prime minister on October 31, 1922.
Mussolini won enough members in the parliament following the elections to declare himself the leader of Italy. With the support of the Fascist Majority, Mussolini proclaimed himself the country’s dictator in January 1925.
Italy had ten years of peace and prosperity. Mussolini, however, was determined to make Italy into an empire. For that, the nation needed a colony. So, they attacked Ethiopia in October 1935.
The invasion was very violent. Italy came under fire from other European countries, particularly for its use of mustard gas. Ethiopia capitulated in March 1936, giving Mussolini control of the empire. Mussolini’s popularity was at its peak at this time; after that, everything declined.
Mussolini believed that all this was just the start. He expected Italy to gain control over much of Europe soon. He later joined forces with Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler in a coalition known as the Pact of Steel.
World War II And The Defeat Of Mussolini
Germany attacked Poland in September 1939 which marked the beginning of the Second World War. It followed Germany’s resounding wins in Poland and France. But it was immediately apparent that Mussolini and Hitler were not partners on an equal footing, and Mussolini did not like that.
Hitler’s triumphs and the fact that he kept most of his military plans a secret from Mussolini both irritated him over time. Mussolini looked for a way to duplicate Hitler’s success while keeping Hitler in the dark about his intentions.
In September 1940, Mussolini launched an attack against the British in Egypt against the advice of his army officers. The attacks failed after initial victories, and German forces were ordered to support the failing Italian defenses.
In October 1940, Mussolini launched an invasion of Greece despite Hitler’s advice after his soldiers’ humiliating defeat in Egypt. This attack also stalled six weeks later.
Mussolini was compelled to approach Hitler for help after being defeated. Germany invaded Greece and Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941, brutally obliterating both nations and saving Mussolini from defeat.
Mussolini was imprisoned and removed from the government in 1943. He was eventually freed by German troops, and Hitler appointed Mussolini to lead Northern Italy, which at the time was under German rule. All of Italy had been occupied by the Allies by 1945, and Mussolini escaped for his life.
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Death Of Mussolini
Mussolini made an effort to flee to Spain in April 1945, as Germany and Italy were on the verge of defeat. Italian partisans kidnapped Mussolini and his mistress Claretta Petacci on the afternoon of April 28 as they traveled to Switzerland to board a plane.
They were led to the Villa Belmonte’s gates, where a partisan fire squad executed them.
On April 29, 1945, trucks carrying the bodies of Mussolini, Petacci, and other party members were brought to the Piazza Loreto. Mussolini’s body was abandoned in the street, and the locals beat up his corpse. The remains of Mussolini were later found hanging upside-down in front of a gas station.
The remains of Mussolini were buried in the Musocco cemetery in Milan. But later, the Italian Government-authorized his re-interment in the family tomb close to Verano di Costa.
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