Benito Amilicare Andrea Mussolini Biography

While working as a manual laborer becomes interested in socialism. Flees to Switzerland to avoid military service

Appointed Teacher at an elementary school in Gualtieri

Arrested as an agitator & is expelled from Switzerland

Arrested in France

Escapes to Switzerland to avoid the military draft in Italy

Joins an Italian regiment for military service

Qualifies as a "Professor" in French which enables him to teach as Secondary School

Appointed Teacher at Oneglia on the Riviera

Arrested in Austria

Appointed Secretary to the Chamber of Labour in Trentino, Austria

Appointed Sub-Editor of The Popolo, owned by the Italian patriot Cesare Battisti

Appointed Editor of LAvvenire del Lavoratore

Expeeled from Austria

Appointed Secretary to the Chamber of Labour in Trentino, Austria

Arrested in Italy for the non-payment of a fine

Publication of "Claudia Particella", an anti-clerical novel

Publication of "Claudia Particella", an anti-clerical novel

Appointed Editor of The Class Struggle

Imprisoned for 5 months, while in prison writes his autobiography. Arrested for trying to stop troops at Forli during the Italian invasion of Libya

Publication of "John Huss, the Man of Truth", a booklet aimed against the Church

Publication of "John Huss, the Man of Truth", a booklet aimed against the Church

The Congress accepts Mussolinis motion to expel 2 of its leaders, Bissolati & Bonomi. Attempts to unify the party & expel gradualists & supporters of the war against Libya

Appointed editor of Avanti, the newspaper of the Socialist Party

Appointed Party Leader of the Socialist Party

Founds & owns his own Socialist publication, "Utopia"

Expelled from the Socialist Party for supporting The First World War

Groups within the PNF called Blackshirts built a base of power by violently attacking socialists and their institutions in the rural Po Valley thereby gaining the support of landowners

Marks the transformation of the paramilitary Fasci Italiani di Combattimento into a more coherent political group (the Fasci di Combattimento, founded by Mussolini in Milans Piazza San Sepolcro

In Milan, used to break up strikes & make violent assaults on opponents of fascism. Groups within the PNF called Blackshirts built a base of power by violently attacking socialists and their institutions in the rural Po Valley thereby gaining the support of landowners

Marks the transformation of the paramilitary Fasci Italiani di Combattimento into a more coherent political group (the Fasci di Combattimento, founded by Mussolini in Milans Piazza San Sepolcro

In Milan, used to break up strikes & make violent assaults on opponents of fascism

Appointed Party Leader of the Partito Nazionale Fascista

Allows fascist squads to attack Bolzano

Leads the fascists in the march on Rome

Allows fascist squads to attack Bolzano

Allows fascist squads to attack Bolzano

Allows fascist squads to attack Trent

Allows fascist squads to attack Bolzano

Allows fascist squads to attack Trent

Fiume surrenders to the Fascists

Fiume surrenders to the Fascists

The Socialists call a General Strike & Mussolini embarks on strike breaking

The Socialists call a General Strike & Mussolini embarks on strike breaking

The fascist leadership agrees on a plan for insurrection

Demands a fascist Government or threatens to march on Rome

The fascist plan for insurrection is made known at a mass meeting. Demands a fascist Government or threatens to march on Rome

The fascist plan for insurrection is made known at a mass meeting

The Committee of Action is formed in Milan which becomes the fascist HQ

The PNF is the main agent of an attempted coup, the March on Rome

The PNF is the main agent of an attempted coup, the March on Rome

The PNF is the main agent of an attempted coup, the March on Rome

Makes himself a dictator after the murder of Matteotti

Appointed Prime Minister of Italy by Victor Emmanuel

The "black shirt" army enters Rome without any opposition

Mussolini occupies Corfu but leaves after Greece pays an indemnity

Created as a party body

Takes place while a commission defines the Greekn border

Sends an ultimatum to the Greek Government demanding compensation, refused. Mussolini occupies Corfu but leaves after Greece pays an indemnity. A murdered Italian general, Tellini, & 4 of his staff are found dead in Greece

Orders the bombing & occupation of the Greek island of Corfu

Orders the bombing & occupation of the Greek island of Corfu

Orders the bombing & occupation of the Greek island of Corfu

Italy withdraws from Corfu after pressure from France & Britain. Greece has to pay Italy a large indemnity

Italy withdraws from Corfu after pressure from France & Britain

Italy withdraws from Corfu after pressure from France & Britain

After the drastic modifying of electoral legislation (the Acerbo Law), the PNF clearly wins the highly controversial elections

After the drastic modifying of electoral legislation (the Acerbo Law), the PNF clearly wins the highly controversial elections

After the drastic modifying of electoral legislation (the Acerbo Law), the PNF clearly wins the highly controversial elections

A Royal decree dissolves the Chamber & elections are announced for 6 April

In early 1925, Mussolini drops all pretense of democracy and sets up a total dictatorship, from that point onward, the PNF is effectively the only legally permitted party in the country

In early 1925, Mussolini drops all pretense of democracy and sets up a total dictatorship, from that point onward, the PNF is effectively the only legally permitted party in the country

Strikes are made illegal

Failed attempt to assassinate Mussolini

All political opposition to Fascism is banned

The electorate can only vote for 400 candidates nominated by the Fascist Grand Council. Party membership in the PNF becomes necessary to seek employment or gain Government assistance

The electorate can only vote for 400 candidates nominated by the Fascist Grand Council

Party membership in the PNF becomes necessary to seek employment or gain Government assistance

The One Party status is formalized by a law passed in 1928 and Italy remains a one-party state until the end of the Fascist regime in 1943

The One Party status is formalized by a law passed in 1928 and Italy remains a one-party state until the end of the Fascist regime in 1943. Party membership in the PNF becomes necessary to seek employment or gain Government assistance

Appointed Prime Minister of Italy

Recognizes the Vatican City & Improves the relations between Church & state

The electorate is reduced from 10 to 3 million

Italy signs the Statute of Tangiers giving Spain greater control

Italy signs the Statute of Tangiers giving Spain greater control

Italy signs the Statute of Tangiers giving Spain greater control

Italy & Greece sign a friendship Treaty. Italy & Ethiopia sign a 20-yr friendship Treaty

The Grand Fascist Council becomes a state body

The Grand Fascist Council becomes a state body. Apppointed member of the Grand Fascist Council

Denounces the Treaty of Versailles

Mussolini signs a Treaty with the Pope

The Fascists claim electoral victory

The Fascists claim electoral victory

A pact between France, Germany, Great Britain and Italy is signed

Mussolini mobilizes on the Brenner Pass & forces Hitler to give up annexation. Mussolini mobilizes 4 Divs after the assassination of Dolfuss, Hitler's coup fails

Hitler & Mussolini meet in Venice

Italy invades Albania

IDemands compensation for the incident at Wal Wal as a ploy to invade Ethiopia

Italian & Ethiopian troops clash, 100 Ethiopian & 30 Italian troops are killed. IDemands compensation for the incident at Wal Wal as a ploy to invade Ethiopia

Mussolini & Laval declare arms limitations & mutual support

Mussolini & Laval declare arms limitations & mutual support. Mussolini & Laval agree policy over Africa & guarantee Austrias independence

Italy invades Ethiopia without declaring war

Occupies Ethiopia after the end of the war

Italian forces enter the Abyssinian capital

Proclaims Italy's annexation of Abyssinia

The League of Nations capitulates and calls off the sanctions against Italy

Mussolini sends airplanes in support of the rebels

Germany, Italy & Portugal agree to Anglo-French proposals for non-intervention

A Non-intervention committee is held in London, Italy & Germany ignore it

During a speech Mussolini publicly refers to an "Axis" without divulging its details

Italy recognizes Francos Nationalist regime

Congratulates Franco for capturing Santander to liberate Spain & Italy

Italy does not attend but agrees to patrol the Mediterranean

Mussolini signs an agreement with Britain to preserve the independence of Spain. Mussolini signs an agreement with Britain on the status of the Mediterranean

Mussolini signs an agreement with Britain to preserve the independence of Spain

Mussolini signs an agreement with Britain to preserve the independence of Spain

Presented with the "sword of Islam"

Presented with the "sword of Islam"

Italy joins the Anti-Commintern Pact, thereby forming the group that would later be known as the Axis Powers

Italy joins the Anti-Commintern Pact, thereby forming the group that would later be known as the Axis Powers

Italy joins the Anti-Commintern Pact, thereby forming the group that would later be known as the Axis Powers

Italy joins the Anti-Commintern Pact, thereby forming the group that would later be known as the Axis Powers

Italy & Britain make a "gentlemans agreement" to keep the Mediterranean staus quo

Takes Italy out of the League of Nations because it agrees sanctions against Italy

Italy agrees to withdraw from the Spanish Civil War. Britain & Italy make a pact recognizing Italian rule in Ethiopia

Sends an Ambasador to Hitler who wants a conference, Mussolini chooses Munich. Helps draw up a draft memorandum which Mussolini uses for framing the Munich Agreement

Hitler decides to hold a conference, Mussolini chooses Munich

Helps draw up a draft memorandum which Mussolini uses for framing the Munich Agreement

Hitler boards Mussolinis train at Kufstein prior to the Munich Conference

Acts as an interpreter between Hitler & the British & French Prime Minister's

Hitler agrees German-Italian frontier arbitration between Hungary & Slovakia

Parliament is recalled after a 6 month recess

Italy declares the 1935 pact with France invalid, because ratifications had not been exchanged

Chamberlain tries to prise Italy away from the Axis

Sends troops into Albania

Italy captures Albania

Formalizes relations between Italy & Germany, Japan joins after the outbreak of war

Formalizes relations between Italy & Germany, Japan joins after the outbreak of war

It was Italian leader Benito Mussolini who dubbed the agreement the "Pact of Steel", after being told that the original name, "Pact of Blood", would most likely be poorly received in Italy

Although intended to last 10 years, it was effectively cancelled in 1943 with removal of Italy's fascist Government.

Consequently, Italy did not enter World War II until June 1940, with a delayed invasion of Southern France. The pact consisted of two parts.

It was Italian leader Benito Mussolini who dubbed the agreement the "Pact of Steel", after being told that the original name, "Pact of Blood", would most likely be poorly received in Italy.

The Pact aimed to ensure that neither country was able to make peace without the agreement of the other. The agreement was based on the assumption that a war would not occur within three years.

The Pact of Steel obliged Germany and Italy to aid the other country militarily, economically or otherwise in the event of war, and to collaborate in wartime production.

The first section was an open declaration of continuing trust and cooperation between Germany and Italy while the second, a "Secret Supplementary Protocol", encouraged a union of policies concerning the military and economy.

When Germany invaded Poland on 1 September 1939 and war broke out on 3 September, Italy was not yet prepared for conflict and had difficulty meeting its obligations.

Hitler pays a State visit to Mussolini in Rome

A leg wound from 1917 opens up & he has to wear special boots

Tells Ciano Italy will enter the war on the German side

Declares war on Britain & France after Germany has occupied France

Mussolini enters the war against France

Italy commences the occupation of British Somaliland

Italy commences the occupation of British Somaliland

Orders the invasion of Egypt on the day that the invasion of Britain was mounted

Italy completes the occupation of British Somaliland

Italy completes the occupation of British Somaliland

Italy captures Sollum, Egypt

The Tripartite Pact is signed by Germany, Italy & Japan

Mussolini and his closest advisers finalise their decision to invade Greece

Mussolini decides to proceed with the planned invasion of Greece despite German reservations about widening the Balkan war.

The Battle of Greece becomes a continuation of the Greco-Italian War

Metaxas rejects the Italian ultimatum (commemorated as Ohi Day, a national holiday in Greece)

The failed invasion attempt diverts German divisions from the Russian front

Within weeks the Italians are driven out of Greece and Greek forces pushed on to occupy much of southern Albania

Within weeks the Italians are driven out of Greece and Greek forces pushed on to occupy much of southern Albania

During the Battle of Elaia-Kalamas the Italians fought their way across the Thyamis (Kalamas) river, but were then forced to a halt

During the Battle of Elaia-Kalamas the Italians fought their way across the Thyamis (Kalamas) river, but were then forced to a halt

Hitler intervened on November 4, 1940, four days after the British took both Crete and Lemnos

Hitler intervened on November 4, 1940, four days after the British took both Crete and Lemnos

The British bomb Bardia

Churchill says Mussolini is "the one man" who brought Italy into the war

The RAF bombs Valona

The Italians cannot form a line of defence & the Greeks advance on Valona

Requires constanr nursing, particularly after the death of his son Bruno

Mussolini discusses the Albanian and Greek fronts with Hitler and receives assurances of German support.

Italian forces stabilize parts of the Albanian front after months of Greek advances.

Mussolini meets Hitler at Berchtesgaden to discuss Axis strategy and Italy's military difficulties.

Mussolini accepts German help in North Africa while discussions with Hitler also touch on future operations against the Soviet Union.

Operation Compass ends with the destruction of much of the Italian Tenth Army after a British advance of several hundred miles.

Germany prepares direct military assistance for Italy after the collapse of much of the Italian position in Cyrenaica.

Rommel arrives in Tripoli as German forces begin reinforcing the failing Italian position in North Africa.

German reinforcements under Rommel arrive in Libya to support Italian forces after the British successes of Operation Compass.

Mussolini fails to persuade Franco to bring Spain into the war on the Axis side.

Italy's spring offensive fails to achieve a decisive breakthrough, increasing dependence on German intervention in the Balkans.

Italy opens a major spring offensive against Greek positions, but the attack fails after heavy casualties and makes little territorial gain.

Mussolini oversees the opening of a major Italian offensive against Greece, but the attack fails to break the Greek front.

Operation Marita begins as German forces invade Greece through Bulgaria, intervening after the failure of the Italian campaign.

German forces launch Operation Marita through Bulgaria against Greece, transforming the Balkan campaign.

German forces enter Athens after the collapse of organized Greek and British Commonwealth resistance in mainland Greece.

Athens falls to Axis forces after the Greek and British Commonwealth withdrawal from mainland Greece.

British Commonwealth forces continue their evacuation as Axis troops complete the conquest of mainland Greece.

The Axis conquest of mainland Greece is effectively completed as Athens falls and Allied forces continue withdrawing south.

Mussolini announces administrative measures affecting Sicilian government employees during the wartime reorganization of the island.

The surrender of Gondar ends the principal organized Italian military resistance in East Africa.

dvises Hitler to make peace with Russia & concentrate against Britain & America

Italy's invasion of Libya is thwarted by Britain who decode messages from Rome

Mussolini meets Hitler at Klessheim near Salzburg to discuss Axis strategy, including operations in the Mediterranean and Soviet Union.

Backs German invasion because he believes Cairo will be quickly captured

Malta retains independence & provides an Allied supply route

Calls off an invasion of Malta in order to support the Germans in Egypt, a mistake

Mussolini supports exploiting the capture of Tobruk by continuing the Axis advance eastward into Egypt.

Mussolini convenes senior Italian commanders at Gorizia to review the military situation in occupied Yugoslav territory.

Mussolini faces a new strategic emergency when Anglo-American forces land in French North Africa during Operation Torch.

Japan informs Mussolini they are about to attack the US, Mussolini offers full support

Japan informs Mussolini they will attack the US, Mussolini offers his full support

Forced to recognize the capture of Alto Adige by Germany

Forced to recognize the capture of Trieste by Germany

Forms a new regime & is forced to have his son-in-law executed

Forms a new regime & is forced to have his son-in-law executed

Has Ciano & 4 others executed who betrayed him at the Grand Council of 25th July 1943

Has Ciano & 4 others executed who betrayed him at the Grand Council of 25th July 1943

Mussolini visits Hitler & is blamed for defeat on the Russian front

Mussolini begs Hitler not to withdraw from Rome without a fight but is ignored

Mussolini begs Hitler not to withdraw from Rome without a fight but is ignored

The Allies reach Rome

Visits his Italian trops on the Russian front

Visits Hitler at the Fuhrer HQ in Germany after the failure of the Stauffenberg plot

The Allies capture Florence

Rescued by daring German parachute jump from his place of internment in the Apennines

Captured by Italian partisans

Mussolini, his mistress & members of his entourage are shot by Italian partisans

Death of Benito Amilicare Andrea Mussolini, shot by Italian partisans

Mussolini, his mistress & members of his entourage are shot by Italian partisans. Captured & shot by Italian partisans while attempting to escape to Switzerland

Mussolinis body is displayed in Milan

Mussolinis body is displayed in Milan