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Formation of an Independent Italy
The proclaimed unification of Italy happened on March 17 of 1861 due to the Risorgimento movement. The final tipping point after decades of struggle for a unified Italy was the Franco-Austrian war in 1859 where unification happened due to the common enemy of Austria. While Italy unified, there were still political divisions within the kingdom causing political groups such as socialists and fascists to rise. In the picture, we can see the acquired land unifying Italy at last as a rising power. -
Papal States Taken Over By The New Nation of Italy
Compared to the new Italy kingdom, the Papal states were inferior against the Kingdom. On September 20 of 1870, the Papal states had been conquered which caused a lot of opposition from Catholics of the state. This created violence with political and social divisions which further shows the disunion of the kingdom. The picture of the map shows the territorial expansion of Italy and the papal states' decrease in size, which is why the people of the papal states were enraged at the Italians. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
In 1896, as an attempt encouraged by nationalism and Italy’s unification, Italy invaded Tigre and Abyssinia - Eritrea. The Battle of Adwa occurred on March 1st of 1896 showcasing Italy’s failure and damaging the pride of Italy’s army. The picture attached depicts a lieutenant representative of the Italian army on the ground hopelessly defending himself against the opposition. This exemplifies Italian humiliation during the war and how the Alpini d'Africa (Italian army) severely lost the battle. -
Italy Invades and Takes Over Libya
In order to recover from the humiliation in the defeat of the Italo-Ethiopian War, Italy invaded Libya on October 4, 1911 that incited a battle for territory lasting until 1912. Eventually, Italy succeeded in taking over Libya, increasing their influence as a European power. The picture shows Italian invasion into Libya, specifically into the capital of Libya—Tripoli. This signifies the Italian advancement that made them the offense, ultimately leading to their victory. -
Mussolini Began Work as Editor for the Socialist Party Newspaper Avanti
After returning to Italy, Mussoling became an editor for Avanti—a Socialist Party newspaper—in 1912. His works gave him recognition as a “revolutionary Socialist” known by many. Mussolini promoted articles that exhibited elements of opposition to the liberal regime. The photograph shows the front headline of the Avanti newspaper which gives insight as to what Mussolini’s works may have looked like. -
Mussolini Kicked Out of Socialist Party for Pro-Nationalistic Sentiments Regarding WWI
After two years working under Avanti as an editor, Mussolini was expelled due to his support for WWI. This marked the end of his affiliation with the Socialist party. The picture depicts the logo of the Italian Socialist Party which is significant because it shows an ex-perspective of Mussolini’s because of his political affiliation. -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London constituted on April 26, 1915 was a secret treaty between Italy and the Triple Entente for the purpose of entering Italy into WWI. This is significant because the treaty officially brought Italy to the Triple Entente’s side while also promising territories that would later cause conflict during the peace conference post WWI. The image below shows parts of land in the map that shows the territory promised to Italy by the Triple Entente in the Treaty of London. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Biennio Rosso was a two-year long period starting in 1919 and ending in 1920. This was known as the ‘two red years’ where a collection of strikes, riots, and militant action was organized by the workers and peasants signifying discontent with working/social conditions. This image below shows a strike from the Biennio Rosso movement, truly characterizing the force of the workers. -
Fascio di Combattimento Formed in Milan
On March 23, 1919, Mussolini and others formed a Fascio di Combattimento uniting people of different political backgrounds. These fascists, nationalists, syndicalists, and others gathered together due to sharing a common enemy—the liberal regime. The picture below shows some of the people that took part/supported the Fascio di Combattimento which is significant because it shows the different perspectives conjoining against a common enemy. -
D’Annunzio Takes Fiume
On September 12th of 1919, D’Annunzio gathered thousands of armed men and stormed into Fiume, overtaking the port. This control over the port lasted for 15 months and he was seen as a hero by nationalists and even Mussolini. This is significant because the Fiume port was a crucial part that caused controversy between Italy and Yugoslavia. The photo shows soldiers marching through the streets during the overtake of Fiume which is significant because of how great the power of possessing Fiume is. -
Mussolini Forms Alliance with Giolitti
In 1921, Mussolini formed a coalition with the head of the Italian government—Giovani Giolitti. This was done to secure Mussolini’s political position and influence with the Italian parliament. The picture shows a photograph of Giolitti which gives insight to who the figure was and how he looked like, he seems to possess a substantial amount of power in this photograph. -
Mussolini Forms the PNF (Fascist Party) & Is Elected Its Leader
Following world war I, the Benito Musillini reformed the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento into the PNF political on November 9, 1921 to spread the idea of fascism throughout the state. At the time, the PNF was the only political party permitted in Italy to stabilize the state. The picture displays the emblem of the parliamentary party that can also be found on a membership card one would hold in this organization, distributed in 1927. -
March on Rome and Mussolini Becomes Prime Minister
On October 27, 1922, the march of Rome began as a means to establish Musulini’s Fascist party as the official political party of Italy. This march was an insurrection that involved Musulini’s blackshirts and other supporters of the party. The image displays Mussolini and his supporters during the mass demonstration which is significant in showing the power of this march. -
Acerbo Law Passed
With Mussolini wanting to reform the electoral system the under-secretary of state, Giacomo Acerbo, outlined a law that changed the parliamentary procedure in Italy. Passed in July of 1923, the Acerbo law gave a party two-thirds of the seats in parliament if they got more than 25% of the votes during the electron period. The picture included displays Giacomo Acerbo, the developer of this law. -
Corfu Incident
The Corfu incident (August 31 to September 27 of 1923) was a diplomatic crisis between Italy and Greece. Mussolini demanded Greece to pay 50 million lire as compensation over a Italian general being killed on Greek soil. Following the refusal, Mussolini ordered the marines to invade the Greek Island of Corfu until the Greeks played the fine. The image included is a map that shows where the incident occurred which is important for observing the territories of the countries that were involved. -
Aventine Secession
Following the Matteotti Crisis, the Aventine Secession of 1924-25 was the withdrawal of the left- wing parties from the Italian Chamber of Deputies in effort to protest Mussolini’s power over the Italian government. This event along with the King not dismissing him from power gave Mussulini a sense of how the state viewed him and his ideas of Fascism. The image shows the police investigating the site of Matteotti's murder, which is significant as his death was what triggered the secession. -
Matteotti Crisis
After the April 1924 elections, the new elected parliament met on May 30, 1924. The independent Socialist Giacomo Matteotti called the election corrupt and said he had evidence. On June 10 he was taken from Rome, and Dumini and his ceka gang were arrested 5 days later following Mussolini's orders. Mussolini had them arrested to show his innocence as many believed he was involved. On August 18 Matteotti's body was found. The image included shows the casket for Matteotti being carried. -
Battle for Grain
An economic policy of the 1925 by the Fascists in an attempt to move the state to be economically independent. The policy provided incentives for the workers if they increased grain and cereal production to reduce the country’s reliance on imports. The image included displays Mussolini in a propaganda photo used to promote the Battle for Grain. -
Locarno Treaty Signed
On December 1, 1925, the Locarno Treaty was signed between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy, and Germany to secure the national borders of Europe following the First World War. Additionally, the treaty outlined the demilitarisation of the Rhineland and how Germany was to be allowed into the League of Nations. The picture included depicts the negotiating table of the Locarno Treaties, with the diplomats gathered to discuss the terms of the treaty. -
Battle for Land & Battle for the Lira
Both economic policies of the 1920s, the Battle for Land was a ‘battle’ to turn marshland into usable areas for farming, ultimately improving the infrastructure of the state. The Battle for the Lira was a ‘battle’ to restore the value of the lira through inflation of the national currency, and was formally announced on August 18 of 1926. The picture included displays Mussolini (center) as both of these economic policies were developed under his influence. -
Battle for Births
A demographic campaign of the 1920s, the Battle for Births was a focus on increasing the population of Italy by providing incentives for women to have many children. The incentives were targeted toward the working class, like increased welfare benefits. This campaign was considered a failure as there was little to no increase in the birth rates of Italy. The image shows women during Fascist Italy as the Battle or Births was a campaign that targeted them. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed
The treaty aimed to prevent international war by renouncing the use of war to settle disputes, but working to settle them peacefully. It was signed in Paris by America, Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Belgium, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Germany, and Japan on August 27, 1928. The picture included shows one of the leaders of the 15 nations involved signing the treaty. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
Signed on February 11, 1929, the Lateran Treaty recognized Rome to be the capital of Italy. Additionally, the treaty established the Vatican city state, and guaranteed sovereignty for the territory. The Pope was to also remain neutral in international relations and controversy as outlined by the treaty. The image displays the signing of the treaty by Mussolini and Pietro Gasparri in 1929. -
Abyssinian Crisis
The 3 year crisis, from 1934 to 1937, was an international predicament mainly between Italy and Abyssinian. The crisis stemmed from the Walwal Incident, which was a violent dispute between Italy and Abyssinian, and began on December 5, 1934. The League ruled against Italy and issued economic sanctions, which caused Italy to leave the league. The picture is a political cartoon depicting a response to the results of the crisis. -
Stresa Front
The Stresa Front was between Italy, Britain, and France to declare Austrian independence, reaffirm the Locarno Treaties, and to renounce any German changes to the Treaty of Versailles. It was caused by Germany announcing plans to expand its military power and was signed on April 14, 1935. It was later dissolved after a naval agreement between Germany and Britain and Italy’s invasion of Abyssinia. The picture includes Mussolini, Laval, MacDonald, and Flandin at a conference discussing the front. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty Signed
During the summer of 1936, Italy and Germany fought with Spanish nationalists during their civil war. After fighting together, Hitler invited Italy’s Foreign Minister to Germany to discuss a military and political alliance. This was signed on October 25 of 1936, which established that both countries would follow a common foreign policy and support each other militarily. The picture includes Hitler and the Italian Foreign Minister during their conversations regarding the treaty. -
Italian Involvement in the Spanish Civil War
On November 28 of 1936 Italy and Spain signed a secret treaty that promised Spain military aid in return for Italy being able to establish bases in the nation if they went to war with France. In December Mussolini began to send weapons and Blackshirts in Spain to support the Spanish Nationalists. The picture includes a group of Spanish Nationalists who fought in the war against their government. -
Munich Conference
The conference was between Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France regarding Germany’s ability to annex parts of Czechoslovakia. The conference lasted from September 28 to 29 of 1938, and was followed by the signing of the Munich Agreement on September 30. The Munich Agreement allowed Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia despite Czechoslovia not being present at the conference. The picture includes Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Chamberlain (Britain), and an interpreter meeting. -
Italy Invades Albania
Italy invaded Albania on April 7 during 1939 with the aim to take control of the nation. Fighting between Italians and Albanians lasted from the beginning of the invasion to April 12. The invasion resulted in King Zog escaping to Greece, Italian victory, and Albania becoming a protectorate (protected state) of Italy. The picture shows the general movement of the Italians into Albania at the start of the invasion. -
Italy Joins WWII on Germany's Side
Italy joined WWII by declaring war on Britain and France on June 10, 1940. Despite its initial decision to remain neutral, Italy joined after France declared Paris an open city (a city with no defense). Italy had remained neutral to appease the allies, who promised territory if they won. Italy saw the declaration of Paris as an open city as a sign of an easy victory, which they didn't want Germany to have to themselves. The picture displays The Cincinnati Post’s announcement of Italy’s decision. -
Mussolini Brought Down by Coup During WWII
After discontent increased during May and June, the Fascist Grand Council voted to remove Mussolini from power with a 19 to 7 majority on July 24, 1943. The following day, July 25, Mussolini was officially removed from his position of Prime Minister by King Emannuel III. Mussolini was arrested and replaced by Pietro Badoglio. The picture included is the American newspaper The New York Times announcement of the fall of Mussolini. -
Mussolini Killed
While attempting to flee to Switzerland with his mistress, Mussolini was assassinated by Italian partisans on April 28 of 1945. The picture includes Musolini and his mistress hanging with others after their deaths.