What Did Mussolini Do That Was Bad?

When Benito Mussolini took over leadership in Italy in 1922, he began to close down democratic institutions, which lead to Italy being under a Fascist dictatorship. Benito Mussolini also made an alliance with Adolf Hitler during World War II. Although he did establish a dictatorship in his country, Mussolini also helped to foster public works programs and lower unemployment.

Benito Mussolini was born in July 1883 in Italy. Before embracing fascism, he was a socialist. In 1915, he joined the Italian army to fight in World War I. In 1919, he established the Fascist Party; he went on to become the Prime Minister in 1922 because Italy was in political chaos. He declared himself “Il Duce,” or dictator, in 1925.

In an attempt to demonstrate his military power, Mussolini invaded Ethiopia in 1935. In 1939, Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler made an alliance. However, in 1944, Allied forces liberated Rome. Benito Mussolini was executed in April 1945.

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