How long was mussolini dictator

While Mussolini initially condemned Italy's entry into World War I , he soon saw the war as an opportunity for his country to become a great power. His change in attitude broke ties with fellow socialists, and he was expelled from the organization.

In , Mussolini joined the Italian army and fought on the front lines, reaching the rank of corporal before being wounded and discharged from the military. On March 23, , Mussolini founded the Fascist Party , which organized several right-wing groups into a single force. The fascist movement proclaimed opposition to social class discrimination and supported nationalist sentiments.

Mussolini hoped to raise Italy to levels of its great Roman past. Mussolini criticized the Italian government for weakness at the Treaty of Versailles. Capitalizing on public discontent following World War I, he organized a paramilitary unit known as the "Black Shirts," who terrorized political opponents and helped increase Fascist influence.

As Italy slipped into political chaos, Mussolini declared that only he could restore order and was given the authority in as prime minister. He gradually dismantled all democratic institutions.

By , he had made himself dictator, taking the title "Il Duce" "the Leader". To his credit, Mussolini carried out an extensive public works program and reduced unemployment, making him very popular with the people. In , determined to show the strength of his regime, Benito Mussolini invaded Ethiopia. The ill-equipped Ethiopians were no match for Italy's modern tanks and airplanes, and the capital, Addis Ababa, was quickly captured.

Mussolini incorporated Ethiopia into the new Italian Empire. Impressed with Italy's early military successes, German dictator Adolf Hitler sought to establish a relationship with Mussolini. Flattered by Hitler's overtures, Mussolini interpreted the recent diplomatic and military victories as proof of his genius. That same year, Italy and Germany signed a military alliance known as the "Pact of Steel.

Influenced by Hitler, Mussolini instituted discrimination policies against the Jews in Italy. In , Italy invaded Greece with some initial success. Hitler's invasion of Poland and declaration of war with Britain and France forced Italy into war, however, and exposed weaknesses in its military. Greece and North Africa soon fell, and only German military intervention in early saved Mussolini from a military coup. This system put Mussolini in charge of Italy simply because Victor Emmanuel was not the strongest of men and rarely felt able to assert himself.

Though he disliked Mussolini bypassing him at every opportunity, he did little to challenge this. Mussolini appointed members to the Fascist Grand Council and from , the Grand Council had to be consulted on all constitutional issues. As Mussolini appointed people onto the Council, logic would dictate that those people would do what Mussolini wished them to do.

The electoral system was changed again in Mussolini said after the change:. I never dreamed of a chamber like yours. Workers and employers unions now known as corporations were entitled to draw up the names of people they wanted considered for parliament. The Grand Council selected of these names i. The list of names was presented to the electorate for approval. They could only vote for or against the whole list — not the individual candidates.

In , Parliament was simply abolished. The power of the Fascists was even felt at regional and local level where mayors, who had been very powerful at a local level, were replaced by magistrates appointed in Rome and answerable to Rome alone.

Italy wants peace and quiet, work and calm. I will give these things with love if possible and with force if necessary. Italy and Germany to After the rebuff Italy experienced after her invasion of Abyssinia, the only choice of allies left for Mussolini was Germany and Franco's Spain. In July…. Italy's foreign policy. Italy's foreign policy under Benito Mussolini had to be robust to show the world how powerful Italy was under his leadership.

As leader of Italy,…. Italy and Germany to After the rebuff Italy experienced after her invasion of Abyssinia, the only choice of allies left for Mussolini was…. There was no last stand: his supporters were nowhere to be seen, and Il Duce went down with a whimper. His second reign came to an end as the Allies advanced. Trying to flee dressed in a Luftwaffe uniform, Mussolini, along with his mistress, Claretta Petacci, was captured by partisans.

On 28 April they were shot, their bodies bundled into a van to be taken to Milan and hung upside down in a public square. Italians made their opinions of Mussolini known by kicking, spitting and throwing stones at the corpses. Mussolini wished to be Caesar of his own Roman Empire, but it seems he forgot what happened to the most famous Caesar of all. History shows that dictatorships usually end at best in ignominious fashion. Sign in. Back to Main menu Virtual events Masterclasses.

Mussolini had an imposing presence, with a powerful physique and almost hypnotic oratorical style — an effective blend of charismatic and callous. To build an empire, Mussolini needed to conquer territory, so in he launched an invasion of Ethiopia. More on: Europe.