Benito Mussolini: II Duce

Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (Il Duce) was born in the village of Predappio in the Romagna, on 29 July, 1883, the son of a revolutionary blacksmith. Indeed, every one of his names simply drips with revolution. He was, after all, named Benito after the Mexican revolutionary, Benito Juarez. He was something of a tearaway as a youth; others less generous might describe him as a thug. Certainly, he never shrunk from bullying and intimidation to get his way. His school years were turbulent and he was expelled on several occasions; at one time he was even arrested for stabbing another youth in a playground brawl. Despite being short and thickset he was not unattractive, and appears to have had considerable success with the opposite sex; and there is little doubt that he had a high opinion of himself. Regardless of his misbehaviour at school (actively encouraged by his father, it has been suggested) he did eventually pass his exams and qualify as a school teacher.

Raised in a household that lived and breathed revolutionary politics, despite his mother being a devout Catholic (Benito wasn’t baptised until much later in life) he seemed destined to follow in his father’s political footsteps. Choosing not to work at his profession he became instead a journalist and in a very short time an outstanding editor of the Socialist Party Journal, Avanti!. Under his tutorship the journal prospered as he aggressively espoused international socialism and vigorously opposed Italian intervention in World War One. However, Italy’s entry into the war in April, 1915, changed everything.

Benito the journalist

In double-quick time Benito comitted a complete volte-face. He became an avid patriot, Italian nationalist and enthusiastic supporter of Italy’s war effort. It was a complete betrayal of everything he had ever previously stood for. He betrayed his father, his Party, his colleagues, his friends, and more significantly the interests of the Italian working class that he had vowed to defend. As a consequence he was removed from his position as editor of Avanti! and expelled from the Party. Four weeks later he established his own newspaper, II Popolo d’Italia.

Mussolini as Soldier

In August, 1915, Mussolini was conscripted into the army and saw active service on the Isonzo front participating in several battles, though to what extent is uncertain. He does appear to have been a good soldier however, and rose to the rank of Corporal. He was invalided out of the army in February, 1917, after being wounded by an accidentally exploding mortar shell, an incident he was to make much of in later life.