Benito taking control
Even though Italy won the war in World War I, they lost over 600,000 men to the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. In 1922, Benito Mussolini seized Italy with the support of King Vittorio Emanuele III, as they both feared a revolution. Since Benito Mussolini took over in 1925 more people began to side with him, those who saw him as a good leader. This followed until Italy became a totalitarian state protected by a secret organization. His dictatorship influenced many of the fascist leaders who later started and influenced World War II. In 1929, Benito gained favors with the Vatican by granting Italy the status of an independent state.
Italy and Germany
In 1936, Italy and Germany entered into the Pact of Steel and grew closer together. Italy supported Germany and their expansion into Central Europe, while both Germany and Italy supported Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War. In September 1939, Italy surprised Hitler when Italy refused to enter the European War because their military was not ready for any major battles. What Benito did was declare war on the Western Allies in 1940. In October 1940, Italy invaded Greece but their army performed poorly and had to be bailed out by Germany. Italy's war in North Africa wasn't going as Benito pictured, and again Germany had to help Italy. The German and Italian forces in North Africa were defeated by the Allies. With all the subsequent losses and areas conquered throughout Italy by the Allies, Italy surrendered in September 1943. Germany immediately invaded Italy and established a state in which Benito ruled the northern part and the Allies invaded and took control of the southern and central parts of Italy. Italy remained a battlefield until April 1945.