Mussolini had come to power
in Italy because Italy had weaknesses and fears that he exploited. But he led
the country in directions that were disastrous, and lost the support of his own
government, the police, and the people of Italy.
Mussolini promoted fascism as
a way of rebuilding national strength in Italy after World War I, and as a way
to rid the country of the threat of communist revolution. But his use of
violence to achieve his ends showed his disregard for people. His pursuance of
an alliance with Hitler and Germany dragged Italy deep into a war that they
couldn't win. In 1943, the Grand Council of his government voted him out of
power. Shortly afterward, he was arrested by the Italian police, who already had
been plotting their own ways to remove Mussolini from power.
Italy then changed sides in the war and joined the Allies. Hitler had Mussolini rescued
from prison and installed as leader of a smaller state in northern Italy.
Eventually, Mussolini was captured by Italian anti-fascist forces and was
executed. The people of Italy had turned against him.
