In 1925 Mussolini used secret police to destroy all opposition and become the first fascist dictator of Europe
Benito Mussolini was the founder of the Italian Nationalist Party, (Fasci di Combattimento and from where the word ‘fascism’ originated) who became Prime Minister of Italy on the 31st of October 1922 due to fears of Communist growth in the country. By the 24th of December 1925 Mussolini used secret police to destroy all opposition and become the first fascist dictator of Europe. As leader of the German Nationalist party with similar aspirations, Hitler became a fan of Mussolini and when he also came to power the two leaders signed a non-military alliance with Germany. Advances of Germany and Italy on other nations in Europe and Africa were highly opposed by both Britain and France leading to the prospect of War.
In 1799 a new French constitution was signed giving Bonaparte the powers of a Dictator
After the ‘Seven Years War’ and aiding America in their War of Independence, France was ruined financially. Their King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette continued to live a life of luxury as the poor starved and a revolution began that would affect the entire continent of Europe.
When The King and his wife were captured by revolutionaries, Marie Antoinette’s brother, the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II, and the King of Prussia, Frederick William II issued the ‘Declaration of Pilintz’ which decreed that if King Louis and his wife were harmed than the monarchies of Europe would inflict severe reprisals on the revolutionaries. After growing disputes between France and the Monarchs of Europe, on the 20th of April 1792 France declared war on Austria and within a few weeks Prussia had allied with Austria. The French army marched on the Austrian Netherlands but without sufficient organisation they ran at the first signs of battle. But France had great victories in Italy and Austria. When they executed Louis XVI on the 21st of January 1793 many of the European powers united against the French republic and on the 1st of February France declared War on Britain and the Netherlands as well as Spain soon after.
France fought with vigour and great and formidable military leader emerged in Napoleon Bonaparte who quickly rose to power. On the 9th of November 1799 a coup led by Napoleon made him First Consul and leader of France. This act was the beginning of the end of the French revolution. On the 24th of December a new constitution was signed giving Bonaparte the powers of a Dictator. By the 18th of May 1804 France had swapped a king for an emperor. Bonaparte had made many advances in Europe including taking Spain and placing his brother on the throne but the French empire also suffered many losses with Bonaparte being exiled twice and eventually dying a British prisoner.
