Benito Mussolini, known as ‘Il Duce,’ was a fascist leader who ruled Italy as its dictatorial prime minister for 21 years. Despite a rebellious upbringing, Mussolini made a name for himself in socialism before being expelled from the ‘Italian Socialist Party’ for his support of World War I. Undeterred, he formed the ‘Fascist Party’ and successfully led the infamous ‘March on Rome’ in 1922, becoming prime minister and eliminating all political opposition. Through a series of laws, Mussolini transformed Italy into a one-party dictatorship, remaining in power until his deposition in 1943. He later became the leader of the German-supported ‘Italian Social Republic’ until his death in 1945.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: Iron Prefect
- Also Known As: Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini
- Died At Age: 61
- Spouse/Ex-: Ida Dalser (m. 1914), Rachele Mussolini (m. 1915)
- Father: Alessandro Mussolini
- Mother: Rosa Maltoni
- Siblings: Arnaldo Mussolini, Edvige Mussolini
- Children: Anna Maria Mussolini, Benito Albino Mussolini, Bruno Mussolini, Edda Mussolini, Romano Mussolini, Vittorio Mussolini
- Born Country: Italy
- Quotes By Benito Mussolini
- Height: 5’7″ (170 cm), 5’7″ Males
- Political ideology: (1921–1943) – Political party National Fascist Party, Other political affiliations – (1901–1914) Italian Socialist Party, (1914–1919) – Fasci of Revolutionary Action, (1919–1921) – Italian Fasci of Combat, (1943–1945) – Republican Fascist Party
- Died on: April 28, 1945
- Place of death: Giulino, Azzano, Italy
- Cause of Death: Execution By Firing Squad
- Founder/Co-Founder: Milizia Volontaria per la Sicurezza Nazionale, Cinecittà, National Fascist Party, Grand Council of Fascism, Royal Academy of Italy
Childhood & Early Life
Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was born on July 29, 1883, in Dovia di Predappio, Forli province, Northern Italy, to blacksmith and socialist Alessandro Mussolini and pious Catholic elementary school teacher Rosa Mussolini. He was the eldest of his parents’ three children. Despite being short-tempered and disobedient, Mussolini managed to get good scores in school and obtained a teaching certificate in 1901.
Career
After working as an elementary schoolteacher for a short period, Mussolini moved to Switzerland in 1902 to escape military service and find better work opportunities. He worked as a stonemason and became involved in promoting socialism, which led to his arrest on multiple occasions. Mussolini started writing for the socialist periodical “L’Avvenire del Lavoratore” (The Worker’s Future). In 1904, he was arrested by Swiss authorities and deported to Italy, where he joined the Italian army. He left the army in 1906 to resume teaching and journalism.
Mussolini moved to Trento, then part of Austria-Hungary, and worked for a local socialist party. He gained a reputation for his views on nationalism and militarism while working as an editor and labor reader. In 1912, he became the editor of Italy’s “Socialist Party” newspaper, “Avanti!” (Forward). Initially against Italy’s participation in World War I, Mussolini later changed his stance to make Italy a great power and regain lost Austro-Hungarian territory. He was expelled from the Socialist Party for his opposition to the party’s neutrality stance and went on to found the fascist movement. Mussolini resumed his journalistic activities in Milan, editing the newspaper “Il Popolo d’Italia” (The People of Italy) and supporting Italy’s participation in the war.
To increase fascist influence, Mussolini included unemployed war veterans in his right-wing groups, organizing them into armed squads called “Black Shirts.” He used the Black Shirts to threaten political opponents.
Rise to Power
In the summer of 1922, Mussolini led the “March on Rome” with over 30,000 fascist Black Shirts, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Luigi Facta. Backed by King Victor Emmanuel III, Mussolini formed a new government in October 1922. He gradually dismantled democratic institutions, destroyed political opposition, and imposed open dictatorship. In 1925, he declared himself a dictator and assumed the title “II Duce” (the Leader). Mussolini gained popularity among key groups such as industry, military, church, and farmers through public work programs and employment plans.
Expansionist Policies
With the goal of transforming Italy into a mighty empire, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1935, using mustard gas. The Ethiopians surrendered, and Ethiopia became part of Mussolini’s new empire in 1936. He also sent troops and arms to support nationalists in Spain during the Spanish Civil War in 1939. Impressed by his successful invasions, German dictator Adolf Hitler collaborated with Mussolini on a military alliance called the “Pact of Steel” in 1939. Mussolini imposed anti-Jewish legislation in Italy.
Downfall
Mussolini’s declaration of war on France and Britain in 1940 exposed Italy’s weaknesses in military equipment and army. By early 1942, Italy’s military position was in bad shape. In the summer of 1943, Allied troops invaded Sicily, hoping to remove Mussolini from power. The Allied Forces progressed further, dropping bombs on Rome, leading to Mussolini’s arrest in July 1943. He was imprisoned at a mountain ski resort in Abruzzo but was soon rescued by German commandos. In September 1943, he was declared the head of a puppet government called the “Italian Social Republic” in Northern Italy, which was controlled by Germany. He held this post until 1945.
Personal Life & Legacy
In 1910, Mussolini began a relationship with Rachele Guidi and fathered a daughter named Edda. He married Guidi in 1915 and had four more children. Before marrying Guidi, Mussolini married Ida Dalser in 1914, and they had a son together. Mussolini was also romantically involved with other women, including Margherita Sarfatti and Clara Petacci.
While attempting to escape to Spain in April 1945, Mussolini and Petacci were captured by Italian partisans and executed on April 28. Their bodies were publicly displayed in Milan. Mussolini’s body was later re-interred in a crypt near Verano di Costa in August 1957.
Mussolini’s life story has been adapted into several movies and television series, depicting his rise to power and downfall.