Page "Italian Social Republic" Paragraph 2

On 24 July 1943, after the Allied landings in Sicily, the Grand Fascist Council, on a motion by Dino Grandi, voted a motion of no confidence in Mussolini.

The next day, King Victor Emmanuel III dismissed Mussolini from office and ordered him arrested.

By this time, the monarchy, a number of Fascist government members, and the general Italian population had grown tired of the futile war effort which had driven Italy into subordination and subjugation under Nazi Germany.

The failed war effort left Mussolini humiliated at home and abroad as a " sawdust Caesar ".

The new government, under Marshal Pietro Badoglio, began secret negotiations with the Allied powers and made preparations for the capitulation of Italy.

These surrender talks implied a commitment from Badoglio not only to leave the Axis alliance but also to have Italy declare war on Germany.