After the German invasion of Greece, particularly after the Germans intervened in Libya, any notion that the Mediterranean would be Mussolini’s sphere of influence evaporated. By 1943 he controlled only a tiny satellite regime in northern Italy (the Italian Social Republic or Salo Republic) that was largely defended by the Germans. read more
After the National Fascist Party rose to prominence and Mussolini took over as prime minister in 1922, he accomplished this by passing a series of laws altering the country's constitution, abolishing Parliamentary elections and preventing himself from being removed from power except by decree of the king. read more
After the Allied victories of November 1942, Mussolini implored Hitler to make peace with Joseph Stalin and concentrate on defeating the British-American forces. Hitler’s refusal and the Sicilian invasion convinced the king and high command to overthrow Mussolini in July 1943. read more