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 arrested. He was later executed by Italian partisans and his body publicly displayed in Milan.