Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini, also known only as Duce (July 29, 1883 Predappio, Emilia-Romagna, Italy - April 28 1945 Giulino di Mezzegra, Lombardy, Italy), was an Italian politician, military, journalist and dictator.
Founder of Fascism, he was president of the Council of the Kingdom of Italy from October 31, 1922 to July 25, 1943. In January 1925 he assumed de facto dictatorial powers and from December of the same year he acquired the title of head of government prime minister secretary of state. After the Ethiopian war, he added to the title of leader that of "Founder of the Empire" and became First Marshal of the Empire on March 30, 1938. He was head of the Italian Social Republic from September 1943 to April 27, 1945.
In the context of strong political and social instability after the Great War, he aimed at taking power; by forcing the hand of the institutions, with the help of acts of squadronism and political intimidation which culminated on 28 October 1922 with the march on Rome, Mussolini obtained the task of establishing the government (30 October). After the controversial success in the political elections of 1924, he established the dictatorship in January 1925, resolving the delicate situation that had arisen after the assassination of Giacomo Matteotti. In the following years he consolidated the regime, affirming the supremacy of executive power, transforming the administrative system and framing the masses in party organizations.
In 1940, believing that Germany's victory was near, he decided for Italy to enter the Second World War. Following the defeats suffered by the Italian Armed Forces and the minority mass during the Grand Council of Fascism (Grandi agenda of 24 July 1943), he was arrested by order of the King (25 July) and subsequently translated to Campo Imperatore. Freed by the Germans, and now at the mercy of Hitler's decisions, he established the Italian Social Republic in northern Italy. Following the definitive defeat of the Italian-German forces, he left Milan on the evening of April 25, 1945, after having tried in vain to negotiate the surrender. The escape attempt ended on April 27 with the capture by partisans in Dongo, on Lake Como. He was shot the following day together with his lover Claretta Petacci.
