BENITO MUSSOLINI
When World War II broke out, Benito Mussolini was the prime minister of Italy. Under his rule, Italy sided with Germany in 1940. However, the defeat by the Allied forces in El Alamein convinced many Italians that siding with the Germans was not a good idea. The discontentment for the Italians worsened more, and by July 1943, the King of Italy declared Mussolini’s actions unacceptable. In his absence, Italy was able to switch sides and join the Allies. Mussolini attempted to escape exile in 1945, but was soon captured and executed.