"In 1915 he formed his own paper, Il Popolo d'Italia, and continued his promotion for war. When Italy finally joined the Allies to fight Germany, Mussolini signed into the "Esercito" (Army). Mussolini got the rank of Corporal, the same rank as Adolf Hitler, but was forced to leave in 1917 due to wounds while in a trench. He returned to his career in journalism in which he began to develop his ideas that would soon become known as Fascism. After the war, Italy was in turmoil. The economy was destroyed and there were strikes and protests everywhere. On March 23, 1919, Mussolini and many other veterans created the National Fascist Party. This party gained in popularity among the people of Italy. Mussolini seemed to have the answers to bring their country into order.