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Benito Mussolini's early life was very important as it is where he gained his political and religious beliefs which would later influence his decisions throughout his life. Benito's father, Alessandro Benito was a socialist and a republican and passed on his beliefs to his son.
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In 1902 shortly after he had graduated as a schoolmaster, Mussolini immigrated to Switzerland, partly because there weren't enough jobs in Italy, but also to avoid military service. At this time he continued his political studies as was very impressed by teachings on the need to overthrow governments with violence, workers strikes, and empowered political speeches.
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In 1909 Benito Mussolini moved to a part of Italy which at the time was under The Austrian-Hungarian Empire and became heavily involved in Socialist politics and Journalism.
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At this time Fascist party supporters, numbering several thousands and known as "Blackshirts" marched on Rome to demand the resignation of the Government. The King, to the surprise of the government, did not declare martial law and instead invited Mussolini to form a new government as the new Prime Minister.
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Over the next few years after becoming Prime Minister, increased his power and turned Italy into a dictatorship. All possible opposition was swept aside and Mussolini became known as "Il Duce" (Supreme leader).
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In 1935, in pursuit for his new roman empire, Mussolini ordered the invasion of Abyssnia ,now Ethiopia, which would be the start of his African Empire.
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From 1936 Italy supported the Nationalist leader in Spain's civil war, which brought Mussolini closer to Hitler and its Nazi Party. This eventually led to the signing of a military support agreement that would be known as the "Pact of Steel" between Italy and Germany in 1939.
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Because of these successive failures and the threat now close to home, Mussolini's own supporters began to turn against him and petitioned the King to bring Mussolini out of power. Finally in July, 1943, The King summoned Mussolini and declared that he was being replaced and arrested.
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The new Italian government quickly ordered the dissolution of the Fascist party and, in September, 1943, signed a peace treaty with the Allies.
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In April, Mussolini accompanied by his mistress, Clara Pettaci, attempted to flee to Switzerland and then to Spain. However, they were captured by Communist guerrillas and mercilessly shot. Their corpses were taken to Milan and displayed hanging upside down in the main square as a sign.
