in 1922, a new italian government started. it was ruled by benito mussolini, the leader of fascism in italy. he became head of government and dictator, calling himself "il duce" (which means "leader" in italian). he became friends with german dictator adolf hitler. germany, japan, and italy became the axis powers. in 1940, they entered world war ii together against france, great britain, and later the soviet union. during the war, italy controlled most of the mediterranean sea.