At first, Mussolini disapproved of Germany’s Adolf Hitler, but over time their partnership grew and Mussolini embraced anti-Semitic measures. Following Italy’s 1935 invasion of Ethiopia, Germany was the second country to recognize Italy’s legitimacy there.
“Pact of Steel”
Germany’s invasion of Denmark and Norway convinced Mussolini that Hitler would win the war. Soon Holland and Belgium also fell to Hitler. On May 22, 1939, Italy and Germany signed the “Pact of Steel” officially creating the Axis powers. Japan would join in September of 1940 with the signing of the Tripartite Pact.
As the Germans plowed through France in June 1940, Mussolini announced Italy’s entrance into the war. Italy declared war on France and Great Britain on June 10, 1940.
By 1943, after years of fighting in World War II, Italy was viewed by its own citizens as losing the war. On July 25, 1943, Mussolini was voted out of power by his own Grand Council, arrested after a visit with the king, and sent to the island of La Maddalena.
BENITO MUSSOLINI NFT ART COLLECTION
