Benito Mussolini
Benito Mussolini, (1883-1945). Italian dictator. The son of a blacksmith, he founded the Fascist Party in 1919, the members of which became known as the ‘Black-shirts’. In 1922 Mussolini led the Black shirts in the March on Rome, as a result of which he became prime minister. He subsequently established a fascist dictatorship, in which he became known as Duce (leader). At first Italians were impressed by his public works programmes and his skill in negotiating the Lateran treaty with the Roman Catholic church (which created the Vatican City as a separate state). However, his invasion of Ethiopia in 1936 provoked worldwide protests. He drew Italy into World War II (1940) in alliance with Hitler, but the country suffered serious defeat. A revolt against him in 1943 ended his fascist regime but he was spectacularly rescued from imprisonment by German paratroopers. Later he and his mistress were shot by partisans while trying to flee the country.
