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Formation of an independent Italy
There was a political movement that unified countries of the Italian Peninsula into one nation of Italy during the Resurgence.
This picture is significant in showing the movements that Italian countries faced to become unified. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
The Papal States were a series of territories in the Italian Peninsula under the rule of the pope. Italy took over the Papal States, except for Lazio.
This photo is significant in showing the Italian peninsula, including the Papel States that was taken over by Italy. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
Italy faced a defeat against the Ethiopian army since they were outnumbered, even with the Eritrean askaris. They were forced to retreat back into Eritrea and some Eritreans were also captured and mutilated. This lasted through October 23, 1896.
This photo is significant in showing how Italian prisoners' conditions were like and how they waited to get home. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italian troops invaded the Turkish province of Libya, which started the Italo-Turkish War. This resulted in the establishment of Italian Tripolitania and Italian Cyrenaica and later unified in the colony of Italian Libya. This lasted through November 1911.
This photo is significant in showing the landing of Italian marines at Tripoli, trying to invade Libya. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
Mussolini was kicked out of the Socialist Party (PSI) for advocating military intervention in World War I, which was the opposition to neutrality from the party's stance.
This photo is significant in showing the development of Mussolini’s own papers rather than Avanti’s. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Avanti was a newspaper that supported campaigning for absolute neutrality in WWI. When Mussolini began to work as an editor, he pushed the socialist newspaper into an interventionist campaign with his articles.
This photo is significant in showing an example of one of the Avanti newspapers Mussolini was involved making. -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London was a secret treaty between neutral Italy and the Allied forces (France, Britain, and Russia) to bring Italy into World War I. Italy was promised Trieste, southern Tyrol, northern Dalmatia, and other territories in return for a pledge to enter the war within a month. This picture is significant because it shows the territories that Italy was promised within the treaty. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Also known as the “Two Red Years”, the Biennio Rosso was a time where unemployment and strikes rose, and industrial workers began a wave of militant action. This image is important because it illustrates the several strikes that occurred during this period. -
Fascio di Combattimento Formed in Milan
The Fascio di Combattimento was an Italian fascist organization, created by Benito Mussolini, that intended to bring together the nationalists and socialists. This image shows some of the members of the Fascio di Combattimento. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Italian nationalist poet, Gabriele D’Annunzio, snuck into the port of Fiume and claimed it for Italy. He did so in opposition to the decisions of the Great Powers in the hopes for a mixed Italian-Croatian city, and the Italian Government in Rome. This image is of Gabriele D’Annunzio. He organized the claim of Fiume. -
Mussolini Forms Alliance with Giolitti
Giovanni Giolitti offered the fascists an electoral alliance, an antisocialist National Bloc, for the national elections. This is where 35 fascists were elected, including Mussolini. This picture shows Benito Mussolini and Giovanni Giolatti marching in Rome, on their way to the National Bloc. -
Mussolini Forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is Elected its Leader
Mussolini persuaded members of the Fasci di Combattimento to reform the organization into a political party that he would lead. This picture represents the PNF flag. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WWI
In October 1922, during the union worker strike Mussolini seized the opportunity to uplift the Fascist Party’ political influence by organizing a coup to demand that the government meet their demands to name Mussolini as prime Minister. The image represents the amount of manpower Mussolini utilized in his coup to threaten the Italian King in satisfying his quest to high Italian influence. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
An organized march where fascists took over town halls, railway stations, and telephone exchanges across the northern part of Italy. The king was advised to appoint Mussolini and was accepted on Oct 29, 1922. This photo is significant as it displays Mussolini in the center during the March on Rome which signifies his importance and influence during the demonstration. -
Acerbo Law passed
An electoral law that gave the party with the most votes two-thirds of the seats within the parliament was proposed by Giacomo Acerbo. The purpose of this law was to give the fascists a majority of the seats. This photo is significant as Giacomo Acerbo was a prominent man in the creation of this law. -
Corfu Incident:
A conflict between Greece and Italy on the Greek Island of Corfu. The brief occupation of this area by Italian forces was triggered by the murder of Italians who were forming part of a delegation. This photo is significant as it conveys Italian troops occupying Corfu, depicting the prominence of the conflict between Italy and Greece. -
Aventine Secession
150 deputies had withdrawn from the Chamber of Deputies in order to demonstrate their opposition to Mussolini’s regime. These deputies formed an alternative parliamentary assembly. This photo is significant as it shows the advancement of opposition against Mussolini’s rule as four socialists wait to identify Matteotti’s body -
Matteotti Crisis:
A socialist who openly spoke against fascist violence and election corruption, Giacomo Matteotti, was abducted in Rome and was assumed to be murdered by Mussolini’s regime (caused many to distance from the regime) This photo is significant because it conveys Matteotti’s body being found on the outskirts of Rome which further advances the opposition of Mussolini’s rule -
Battle for Grain
An economic policy in 1925 which aimed to increase bread and cereal production in italy to reduce the need for imports. It is similar to the Green revolution as it resulted in 5000 new farms for extra production. This photo is significant as it demonstrates the conditions of the economic policy: increase production and farming. -
Locarno Treaty signed:
The Locarno Treaty was signed after a few months of negotiations. The treaty guaranteed peace in western Europe between the countries of Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, and Italy. This photo is significant because it portrays the numerous people involved within the negotiations, depicting the treaty’s prominence -
Battle for Land
An economic policy in 1926 aimed to clear marshland to make it available for farming. Also reclaiming land and reducing health risks. This photo is significant because it shows the value of agriculture as farmers reclaim land and make it available for farming. -
Battle for the Lira
An economic policy in 1926 which aimed to reduce inflation and fix the Lira at 90 to £. Other goals for this policy was to reduce inflation and show off to the world that Italy is a great force with a strong currency. This image is as it shows Italy’s new and reinforced Lira which they are proud of. -
Battle for Births
One of the economic battles that focused on creating a larger population by encouraging women to have more children. Special incentives were also provided to those who have five or more children This photo is significant as it shows medals awarded to mothers who have 5 or more children, displaying the extent of this policy in desiring more births. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty
Signed on august 27 1928, it is one of international efforts to prevent another world war but proved to be inefficient in stopping the rise of militarism in 1930s and WWII. The pact was signed by Germany, France, and the US. This photo is significant as leaders of Germany, France, and US are present and shows some form of a future peace. -
Lateran treaty with Pope
Signed on feb 11 1929, it was an agreement between Italy and the Holy See under Pope Pius XI to settle long standing Roman Question. It recognized Vatican City as an independent state under the Holy See. It also resulted in Italian government providing financial compensation to Roman Catholic Church for the loss of Papal States. This image is significant as it visibly shows an agreement between Italy and the Holy See -
Abyssinian Crisis
Starting on december 5 1934, this was an international crisis over Italy's policy of aggression against Ethiopia. This undermined the credibility of League of Nations and encouraged alliance with Nazi Germany. This photo is significant as it geographically shows the Abyssinian crisis and Italy’s involvement. -
Stresa Front
On april 14 1935, an alliance was formed between Britain, France, and Italy, it aimed to reiterate the terms of locarno treaties, maintain austrian independence, and refuse future attempts of Germany defying the terms of the treaty of versailles. This photo is significant as it visibly displays leaders of nations uniting to form a policy aimed against Germany -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
July 17, 1936 - April 1st, 1939- Italy aided Spanish nationalists with 660 planes, 10,000 machine guns and 240K rifles to demonstrate opposition to the Spanish Republic & to further Mussolini’s determination towards spreading fascist influence to the Mediterranean.
This image of Hitler and Mussolini shaking hands is representative of the mutual coalition of political interests and alliance that manifested in the signing of the Rome- Berlin Axis Treaty. -
Rome- Berlin Axis Treaty Signed
An agreement of the political / military coalition of two fascist countries, Italy and Germany. It was solidified by Mussolini's’ Pact of Steel, Italy’s displaced relationship with the democratic prevalence in Rome and Italy’s previous alliance with German fascist in the Spanish Civil War.
Hitler and Mussolini shaking hands is representative of the mutual coalition of political interests and alliance that manifested in the signing of the Rome- Berlin Axis Treaty. -
Munich Conference
Between Mussolini, Hitler, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain on September 29th, 1938 in which they agreed upon permitting Germany to annexation regions from Czechoslovakia. Significantly their political diplomacy prevented the outbreak of war violence, especially between Germany & Czechoslovakia.
This political cartoon illustrates the averted potential of war onto one of peace between the European world powers through the rolling of the globe figurine. -
Italy invades Albania
Italy invaded Albania to demonstrate their military campaign in opposition to the Albanian Kingdom. Their previous disagreement was surrounding imperialism policies imposed by Mussolini during the interwar period, resulting in Italian victory and King Zog leaving Albania after it became part of the Italian protectorate.
This political cartoon’s dialogue and illustrations of Mussolini latching onto a defeated Albania represents Mussolini’s determination towards exerting his fascist influence. -
Mussolini killed
Mussolini and his womanly counterpart- Petacci- were assassinated on April 28th, 1945 by Italian partisans as an attempt to stop their departure from Switzerland. The partisans first captured both figures to stop Mussolini’s nazi’s parties trying to uplift him into political influence. This image captures the news media exposure of Mussolini’s execution to the public and the way in which news outlets ended his reputation of influence in Italy.