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Mussolini Facts

Mussolini Facts
Benito Mussolini was a politician, and journalist, and the founder of fascism, who became dictator in Italy and was later killed by his own people. Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was born on July 29th, 1883 in Dovia di Predappio, Forli, Italy to Rosa, a Catholic teacher, and Alessandro, a socialist and blacksmith. Mussolini was an intelligent child and teenager, but he was known as a bully and was expelled from school frequently. He obtained a teaching certificate in 1901 but in 1902 moved to Switzerland to promote his belief in socialism. His passion for socialism eventually changed when he was expelled from the organization and he founded fascism. He became the 27th Prime Minister of Italy in 1922 and became dictator in less than five years.
Interesting Mussolini Facts:
Benito Mussolini served as Prime Minister of Italy for almost 20 years.
Benito Mussolini is also known as Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini, Il Duce.
Benito Mussolini had a brother named Arnaldo and a sister named Edvidge.
As a child Benito was a bully in school. He stabbed a fellow student in the hand with a knife.
After a few years in Switzerland Mussolini returned to Italy and joined the Italian military.
In 1909 Mussolini moved to Austria but his attitude and criticism about its politics had him thrown out and he moved back to Italy.
After a brief position as a school teacher, Benito Mussolini became a journalist.
In 1917 Mussolini was discharged from the Italian military after a mortar bomb exploded in his trench and more than 40 shards of metal entered his body.
Benito Mussolini founded the first fascist party in 1919, and was its leader until 1943.
Benito Mussolini's party was named Fasci di Combattimento, the national fascist party of Italy.
Benito Mussolini became the youngest Prime Minister in Italy's history when he was elected in 1922.
Benito Mussolini's army invaded Ethiopia while in power and in 1936 they gained control of the country.
Adolf Hitler supported Mussolini to acquire Ethiopia.
In 1939 Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini became allies by signing the 'Pact of Steel', despite Mussolini's initial dislike of Hitler.
Mussolini adopted Hitler's ideals in regards to Jewish people and initiated the same discrimination policies against them.
In 1940 Mussolini invaded Greece.
In 1941 a military coup against Mussolini was thwarted by Hitler's Nazis.
Mussolini became unhappy with Hitler because the Nazis were gaining ground in Europe and Hitler kept his plans secret.
Hitler made an order in 1943 to appoint Mussolini the head of the Italian Social Republic in Northern Italy.
In June, 1944 the allies freed Rome, and continued to march onward to take control of Italy.
Mussolini and his mistress tried to flee Italy to Switzerland but the Italian underground captured them on April 27th, 1945.
Benito Mussolini was executed on April 28th, 1945, along with his mistress Claretta Petacci. Their bodies were displayed in a plaza in Milan after their executions.
The Italian people were happy to be free of Mussolini. His early promises to return Rome to its glory had been lost in his hunger for power.


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