BENITO MUSSOLINI By Max Moran Who was Benito

BENITO MUSSOLINI By: Max Moran

Who was Benito Mussolini � Mussolini was the prime minister of Italy during WWII. He was in the fascist government party He was a close friend of Hitler until the Germans assassinated Mussolini's close friend Engelbert Dollfuss, Who was the dictator of Austria. Mussolini still fought alongside Hitler, but not care for him.

Early life � � � Mussolini was born on July 29 th 1883 in the town Dovia Di Predappio, in the providence of Forli, Italy. At the age of 19 Mussolini emigrated to Switzerland to avoid military service. Only a year later he was arrested for advocacy of a violent political strike. After spending two weeks in jail he was deported back to Italy.

Early life (continued) � � After being set free in Italy, he returned to Switzerland In 1904 he was arrested again for falsifying papers, and returned to Italy for good.

Military service � � � After returning to Italy he went into the armed forces After his two years of service he returned home to Italy where he became a teacher. He never again fought in the military, but was the leader of the Italian army in WWII.

WWII � � � When WWII broke out Mussolini being the prime minister, made Italy join the Axis (Germany and Japan) unlike the Germans the Italians were not opposed to Jewish people. Even one of Mussolini’s main politicians was Jewish.

WWII � � Even though Mussolini did not agree with the Axis beliefs, he chose to ally with them because he thought that the other powers in Europe (France and England) were weak. He planned to rule Europe with Germany (even though it was commonly believed that If the Axis had won then Germany would have taken over Italy also)

The dark side of Mussolini � � Even though Mussolini did not want to prejudice against races, in 1942 he ordered General Mario Roatta to wipe out the Slovene population. In only two days, 5, 343 people were sent off to concentration camps to be killed brutally. 1, 643 were children Even though less known than the holocaust, it was believed to be equally terrible.

The fall of Mussolini � � � Because the Italian army was starting to fall apart Mussolini and other important government members were trying to be evacuated from the country. While stopped in the small town of Dongo, they were ambushed by the general Walter Audicio. Mussolini and all the other members in his party were killed in front of a firing line.

Sources � wikipedia