Benito Mussolini founded the Italian Fascist Party and ruled as its dictator from 1922 to 1943. Initially a socialist journalist, Mussolini abandoned socialism to advocate for a nationalist ideology, established a totalitarian regime, and took the title Il Duce. Disastrously allied Italy with Nazi Germany and Japan during World War II, Mussolini was executed by Italian partisans on April 28, 1945.

Benito Mussolini founded the Italian Fascist Party and ruled as its dictator from 1922 to 1943. Initially a socialist journalist, Mussolini abandoned socialism to advocate for a nationalist ideology, established a totalitarian regime, and took the title Il Duce. Disastrously allied Italy with Nazi Germany and Japan during World War II, Mussolini was executed by Italian partisans on April 28, 1945.