Known as a staunch dictator over Italy, Benito Mussolini would surpass his father in the extremity of his political beliefs. As a fascist, he changed his previous beliefs from anti-war to leading Italy into three wars he saw as necessary to keep his revolution alive.

As a young boy, Benito was aggressive and considered a bully. He was kicked out of two schools for stabbing two fellow students with his penknife. Furthermore, when it was time for punishment, he would equally attack those of authority. As a part of Italy’s middle class, he wasn’t poor in the sense of the word, but his father’s escapades often kept the family in dire straights. However, even with all of these problems, Mussolini was seen as an intelligent kid who was able to obtain his teaching licensure. After a short stint teaching, he went to Switzerland where he became self-educated in the political philosophers of the day. After two years, he returned to Italy and became the head of two different newspapers.

Mussolini, like his father before him, started out as a socialist who believed that his combination of the strictest politics would be best for Italy and even all of Europe. One aspect about Benito was his ability to captivate audiences, logically argue his standpoint, and somehow turn heads and change minds. He gained popularity and high regard in the most elite social circles of government. With violence backing his cause, he was able to forcefully debunk others’ counter arguments easily.

Becoming the editor of different socialist papers allowed him to spread his word even more. He became involved with the Socialist Party Congress, his writing blossomed, and regular citizens and elitists both took notice. Benito, at the age of 30, was able to promote revolution with more fervor than any other before him.

With the onslaught of World War I, Mussolini crossed the line from socialist to fascist as he promoted his message to Italy’s elite and its youth in his paper entitled Popolo d’Italia. After an injury during a military training exercise, Mussolini was out of the political scene for no more than six months; he returned with as much fervor as before with his new programs and his ability to promote them nationally. However, when he ran for parliament in 1919, he was beat, but he kept campaigning more determined than ever, and by 1921, Mussolini became the leader of the National Fascist Party. With no one in his way, he became the self-proclaimed leader of Italy, its dictator. The country went into shambles and working classes nearly starved. Only a handful of Italians became wealthy and Italy saw itself involved in war, the Spanish Civil War, World War II, and other skirmishes that caused the eventual fall of his reign.

• Adolf Hitler
• Francisco Franco
• Joseph Stalin
• Fidel Castro
• Friedrich Nietzsche
• Karl Marx