Victor Emmanuel III Dismissed Mussolini

Italy remained a monarchy throughout Benito Mussolini's rule, with Victor Emmanuel III serving as king. Although Victor Emmanuel advised against entering World War II, he relented in 1940 and granted Mussolini broad wartime powers. Following the Allied invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the king dismissed and arrested Mussolini, appointed Pietro Badoglio as prime minister, and joined the Allies against Germany. Victor Emmanuel abdicated and entered exile in 1946, shortly before a referendum abolished the monarchy and established the Italian Republic.

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