Benito Mussolini's Rise To Power Benito Mussolini rose in to power very fast. His Fascist Party Blackshirts marched into Rome in 1922, one year before Hitler's first failed try to seize power. When Hitler became the Fuehrer (Leader) of Germany, Mussolini had been "IL DUCE" (Leader) of Italy for more than ten years. Mussolini had been successful in improving the Italian economy, as it was said, "He made the trains run on time" (by shooting someone if they didn't). He wanted to regain Italy’s prestige and power. Benito Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, was an European political leader. Just like Hitl