Benito Mussolini was an Italian fascist dictator who ruled Italy from 1922 until his execution in 1945. As the leader of the National Fascist Party, he grew increasingly allied with Nazi Germany. In 1940, despite Italy being unprepared for war, Mussolini entered World War II on Germany's side. This decision proved to be his downfall, as Italy suffered major losses and Mussolini was eventually overthrown and killed by Italian partisans at the end of the war.

1. Benito Mussolini By: Alexandria Humphrey

2. This is another day of solemn decision in Italy’s history and of memorable events destined to give a new course to the history of continents. The powers of the steel pact, Fascist Italy and Nationalist Socialist Germany, ever closely linked, participate from today on the side of heroic Japan against the United States of America. ~Bento Mussolini

3. Benito Mussolini Adolf Hitler

4. Bento Mussolini Benito Mussolini was an avid writer and after he finished his schooling, he became an editor for the Milan socialist paper “Avanti”. He became well known among the Italian socialists, but soon started promoting his views for war against Germany in World War I. Even though most of all the socialists where against war, Mussolini cont. to pursue promotion for war. When Italy finally joined the Allies to fight Germany, Mussolini enlisted into the army. Mussolini achieved the rank of Corporal, the same rank as Adolf Hitler, but was discharged in 1917 due to wounds while in a trench.

5. National Fascist Party On March 23, 1919, Mussolini and several other veterans formed the National Fascist Party. This party grew in popularity among the people of Italy. Mussolini seemed to have the answers to bring their country into order. During this time, he adopted the Roman salute and the Black Shirt militia, which Hitler later copied from him as the Brown Shirts. On March 15th 1921, Mussolini along with 35 other Fascists were elected to the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

6. Mussolini's Downfall It has been said that Mussolini's biggest mistake was to enter the Second World War. He had found himself unprepared at the beginning of the Second World War because his troops weren't ready to fight so soon after the Spanish Civil War. But not wanting to get shown up by his ally, he entered the way anyway. Hitler started to control things, not letting Mussolini do anything without his approval. Hitler kept insisting that Italy should enter the war. Finally it fell through and he had no choice but to fight with an unprepared military.

7. Mussolini's Arrest Mussolini's mug shots when arrested for vagrancy, 1903

8. DEATH Mussolini, along with his mistress Clara Petacci, was caught by * Italian partisans, they were executed. Their bodies, brought to Milan, were hanged in a public square and buried in an unmarked grave. Mussolini's body was later removed, and in 1957 it was placed in his family's vault. * The movement was initially composed of independent troops, spontaneously formed by members of political parties previously outlawed by the Fascist regime, or by former officers of the disbanded Royal Army loyal to the monarchy.