Who was the leader of an Axis power during World War II? a. Mackenzie King b. Benito Mussolini c. Winston Churchill d. Charles de Gaulle

b. Benito Mussolini

Benito Mussolini was the leader of Italy during World War II, which was part of the Axis powers. The Axis powers mainly included Germany, Italy, and Japan, which were allied against the Allied forces.

World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations. The major Axis powers were:

1. Germany, led by Adolf Hitler. 2. Italy, led by Benito Mussolini until 1943, after which he was deposed and arrested, but later rescued by German forces. The Italian Social Republic, a German puppet state with Mussolini at its head, continued to exist until 1945. 3. Japan, under Emperor Hirohito, with Prime Minister Hideki Tojo being a prominent military leader until his resignation in 1944.

On the other side were the Allies, which included the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and many other countries. Notable Allied leaders were:

- Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. - Franklin D. Roosevelt, followed by Harry S. Truman, Presidents of the United States. - Joseph Stalin, the Premier of the Soviet Union. - Charles de Gaulle was the leader of the Free French Forces and later the head of the provisional government of the French Republic after its liberation.

Understanding the different political leaders and their roles during World War II helps to grasp how the conflict unfolded, the alliances formed, and the ideologies that were at play. The dynamics between these powerful figures and their countries shaped the direction of the war and, ultimately, global history.