Mussolini: A New Breed of Caesar Quiz

Answer: Turkey

In 1911, Italy declared war on Turkey (then the Ottoman-Empire). It seized the Turkish colony easily. Mussolini led anti-war riots and publicly stated that "The national flag is a rag to be planted on a dunghill". This is a totally different stance then what Mussolini would say 20 years later.

Answer: Benito

Benito Mussolini was born to a village schoolteacher and a blacksmith. His father was an anarchist, and named his son after a famous former Mexican president, Benito Juarez. He lived up to his name, as history would soon prove.

Answer: Blackshirts

The Blackshirts spread fear and created violence everywhere during Mussolini's bid for power. Much like Hitler's Brownshirts and his SS, they were his most dedicated followers- and his most fanatical.

Answer: Il Popolo d'Italia

Il Popolo d'Italia ran for many years and was read in Italy as much as Der Sturmer was read in Germany. It increased Mussolini's popularity tremendously, and helped him maintain power by blaming other people for Italy's troubles.

Answer: 1922

Mussolini acquired his power legally in 1922 when the king appointed him prime minister. At first, Mussolini was worried about abusing his power. In a few months though, he had secured Fascists in all the cabinet positions, and had passed laws granting him absolute power.

Answer: Victor Emmanuel III

Victor Emmanuel III led Italy during World War I as well. He could have stepped in to stop Mussolini's rise to power, yet he did virtually nothing. Only in 1943, when Italy clearly lost the war, did he oust IL Duce.

Answer: Turkey

Italy successfully invaded Ethiopia in 1936. It was a bloody conflict in which Italy used superior weapons against spears and cavalry. Poison gas was also used, killing many innocent civilians. The Albanian Campaign was also successful, but at a very high price for Italy.

Its much disorganized army took months to control a very small country with limited armed forces. In Greece, the Italians were losing the war with superior forces. Hitler had to step in and rescue his ally. The Fuhrer's forces smashed Greece and Yugoslavia in about a month.

Although Italy tried to invade France near the end of the Western Campaign, it pushed less than 30 miles into the country.

Answer: The Rome-Berlin Axis

The Rome-Berlin Pact helped both Mussolini and Hitler because both now had allies who would support them. This strengthened each country (especially Italy) and gave them an even better reason to declare war.

Answer: 1943

By 1943, Italy was being invaded and it had no hope of winning the war, even if it was allied to Germany. Mussolini was promptly thrown in jail, and then rescued by his German allies. He proceeded to set up a puppet government in axis controlled northern Italy. It lasted for several months, until Mussolini was found, and then shot.

Answer: Milan

Mussolini was found in the back of a truck fleeing past the Austrian Border in April 1945. His convoy was stopped by Italian partisans, and he was found. Mussolini and his mistress were shot the next day and hung for public display in Milan. When Hitler learned of the news, he was shocked; a few days later, he committed suicide.