Mussolini Benito (1883-1945) was the fascist (fascism-form of government) prime minister of Italy, with dictatorial powers, from 1922 until he was overthrown in 1943. In May 1938, Mussolini promised to fight alongside Adolf Hitler in any war against the democracies (another form of government) of the world. His armies, however, poorly led and ill-prepared for war, were defeated quickly by Allied forces. Italian resistance to his dictatorship ultimately led to his fall from power and to his death; Mussolini was overthrown in 1943.