Biography of Mussolini
Benito Mussolini was born on July 29th, 1883 in Preddapio Forli, Italy. He lived in a poor household with his father, Alessandro, his mother, Rosa Maltoni, and his two younger siblings: a brother (Arnaldo) and a sister (Edvidge).
In Benito's early years, he was a difficult child. He had a quick temper and was disobedient. Mussolini was expelled from school twice for assulting fellow classmates with a penknife.
Although Mussolini had troubles with his attitude, he still managed to obtain a diploma. Surprisingly, he became a school teacher himself.
In 1902, Mussolini moved to Switzerland in hopes of finding a better job opportunity. While there, he worked multiple odd jobs and attended local socialist party meetings. One of those jobs was working as a propagandist for a bricklayer trade union. Mussolini took an agressive approach, he advocated violence, and urged a general strike to create change. These things caused Mussolini to be arrested several times.
After working for a while in the trade union and disscusing with socialists, Mussolini become known well enough by socialist circles to begin writing and editing several socialist newspapers.
Mussolini returned to Italy in 1904 to serve in Italy's peace-time army. He continued to advocate socialism and develop his skills as an orator. He was very authoritative and forceful, his speeches were very compelling. His fellow socialists quickly recognized Mussolini's skill as a orator. On December 1, 1912, Mussolini began working as the editor of the Italian Socialist Newspaper, Avanti.
After the start of WW1, in September 1914, Mussolini wrote articles supporting those who were backing Italy's entry into the war. This caused chaos among Mussolini's fellow socialists, and in November 1914, Mussolini was expelled from the socialist party.
After WW1, Mussolini bacame an anti-socialist and began to advocate for a central government in Italy.
WW1 left Italy in pieces and the people were desperate for change. People began to form small nationalist groups as nationalism swept across Italy. On March 23, 1919, Mussolini organized these groups into a single assembly under his leadership. Mussolini called this group Fasci di Combattimento (commonly called the Fascist Party).
Mussolini created a paramilitary unit known as the “Black Shirts”. They terrorized political opponents along with increasing Fascist influence.
In 1922, Italy began to go into political chaos. Mussolini declared that only he could restore order, he was then given authority. He then gradually dismantled all democratic instituitions.
In 1929, he made himself dictator, taking the title of “Il Duce”, which means “Leader”. After becoming leader, he reduced unemployment by creating extensive public work programs. This caused him to be popular among the people.
While in power, Mussolini had multiple military successes. One of which was the capture of Ethiopia, which caught Hitler’s attention.
By 1939, the two countries formed an alliance called the “Pact of Steel”.
Much like Germany, Mussolini instituted discrimination policies against the Jews. As Mussolini was alligned with Germany, Italy was forced into WW2. This caused Italy to become weak, as they were already losing resources.
In 1942, the allied forced devised a plan to take Italy out of the war. Mussolini was arrested by the allies but later rescued by Germany.
On June 4th 1944, the allies liberated Italy and soon marched on to take full control. Mussolini and his mistress, Claretta Petacci, fled to Switzerland but were captured by Italian underground and executed. Their bodies hung out on the streets, while the people looked at them without sorrow.
Mussolini promised Roman glory but only brought war and misery.