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Formation of an independent Italy
Italy became an independent nation in 1861 through the Risorgimento. Although it was unified, many divisions were still present within the country. The images displays Italy before and after its unification and how states came together. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
The newly unified Italy overruled the Papal States after France lost its ability to protect them. ltaly conquered the states, which increased the Catholic population and opposition from them in the country. The image shows the Italian territorial expansion and the Papal States' loss of territory after the annexation. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adwa
Italy invaded Tigre and Abyssinia (Ethiopia) in 1896, encouraged by nationalism and Italian unification. The Battle of Adwa occurred on March 1, 1896. It's been considered a failure for Italy since Abyssinia had more modern weapons, like guns, to fight off the Italians. The image depicts that the Italians had a hard time fighting as they suffered high casualties. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italian troops invaded Libya in 1911 in order to recover from the defeat of the Italian-Ethiopian War. This resulted in the success of taking over Libya, yet the war cost millions of lire, which added more pressure on the Italian economy. The image shows the part of Libya that Italy colonized. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini was imprisoned as he tried to provoke an insurrection during anti-war protests. He became an editor of Avanti!, a socialist newspaper, in 1912, and he promoted opposition to the liberal regime. The image gives an insight into the format of the work that Mussolini may have published. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I
Unlike other socialists, Mussolini advocated for Italian involvement in WW1 which angered many socialists as it opposed the neutrality that socialists wanted. Soon after, he was expelled from Avanti! and started his own newspaper. This picture is significant as it shows the perspectives on Italian involvement in WW1 and what Mussolini commented on. -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London was a secret agreement between Italy and the Entente for Italian entrance into World War I that was constituted on April 26th, 1915. The purpose of this treaty was to bring Italy to side with the Entente rather than Austria-Hungary and Germany. The image signifies the promised territories that Italy would ideally gain after the war. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
In 1919, the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento was created by Mussolini and his supporters in Milan. On March 23, 1919, 118 people of different political groups came together to bring nationalists and socialists together. Together they established the Fascist Programme which was established in about 70 towns. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Biennio Rosso was a 2-year intense social conflict in Italy from 1919–20. It was caused by high unemployment, a poor political state, and a weak economy. The liberal government at the time barely took action to solve the conflicts, and this eventually resulted in increasing support for fascists. The picture is significant because it shows how citizens were dissatisfied with the government and struck in the streets. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Fiume, along with 2,000 Italian nationalists, marched on Fiume, forcing the withdrawal of inter-Allied occupying forces. Italy blockaded Fiume while demanding the plotters to surrender their plans to annex it. He then declared Fiume an independent state (the Italian Regency of Carnaro). This picture shows the soldiers who took part in the blockade. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
In 1921, Mussolini formed an alliance with the Italian Government. This helped consolidate his political power within the Italian government as he was becoming the leader of the PNF. The picture above shows how powerful Giolitti was. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
Mussolini, after allying with Giolitti, formed the Fascist Paty and is elected as its leader to serve in the Parliament. Because Mussolini and Giolitti had an alliance, Giolitti did little to stop the proletarian revolts. The photo shows the logo of the PNF. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
On October 27, 1922, local squads of national militia under Balbo and Grandi took over communication lines. Since the King of Italy decided not to sign the state of emergency papers Luigi Facta (Prime Minister of Rome) resigned; thus, allowing Mussolini to become the Prime Minister. The photograph was taken during the March of Rome. -
Acerbo Law Passed
The Acerbo Law was passed in 1923. It was designed to give Mussolini more political power in the Parliament by giving him 2/3 of the Parliament. Most parties supported it because the government was weak, and many hated the current electoral system. The photo above is significant as it shows the man after which the Acerbo Law was named. -
Corfu Incident
While Italy was in the middle of a military-diplomatic crisis with Greece, an Italian general heading a commission was murdered on Greek territory alongside two other officers. Mussolini decided to show the strength of Italy in the Corfu incident; thus, boosting his approval ratings. This picture shows the Italian occupation of Corfu. -
Matteotti Crisis
Since Matteotti spoke out against Mussolini, he was murdered. Because the murder was carried out by Mussolini's violent gang, Dumini, he received lots of backlash and people started to distance themselves from his regime. As a result, he blamed it on his secret police in order to save himself. The photo shows people pulling Matteotti's body out of a forest in a coffin. -
Aventine Secession
The image shows people protesting in Ancient Rome. The Aventine Secession was inspired by the ancient Roman practice, so the image shows where the parliamentary members got their idea from. -
Battle for Grain
The image shows Mussolini gathering wheat for grains. These types of images were used as propaganda to encourage Italians to care more about the issue of growing grains, and also to show them how capable Mussolini is, which causes the population to support him more. -
Locarno Treaty Signed
The image shows Mussolini arriving at the Locarno signing. Italy played a minor role in the Locarno signing, but Mussolini still showed up. -
Battle for Births
The image shows Mussolini and his family. He has a large family, encouraging other Italians to also get large families, which was part of his economic policy of the Battle for the Births. -
Battle for Land/Grain
The image shows people working to create new land for agriculture. This image is important as it shows people directly working to create these new farming lands. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed
This photo is important because it shows the exact frame in which the treaty was signed. It also shows that there were a lot of people present, which is important because it shows that there were a lot of perspectives in the treaty. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
The image shows Mussolini and the Pope sitting together and signing the treaty. This image is important as it shows the parties involved and the circumstances in which the treaty was signed. -
Abyssinian Crisis
This photo highlights Mussolini ignoring the sanctions given to Italy by the League of Nations. The caricature of Mussolini also has a face of determination in wanting to imperialize Abyssinia. Italy is willing to fight, even if that means discrediting a largely supported, worldwide organization such as the League of Nations. -
Stresa Front
This image shows all the parties involved in the Stresa conference and it directly shows the people that were going to oppose Hitler, or so they had said. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
When Italy intervened in the Spanish civil war, it gave a variety of resources to support the side of Spanish nationalism. This included about 80000 blackshirts. This photo emphasizes the size and force these men brought to Spain -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
This photo shows the unity between the fascist leaders Hitler and Mussolini as they sign to become partners in World War 2, which forms the Axis powers. -
Munich Conference
This picture shows the leaders of this conference: the British prime minister Neville Chamberlain, the former minister of the armed forces of France Édouard Daladier, German fascist leader Adolf Hitler, and Italian Fascist leader Benito Mussolini. and Mussolini's son-in-law Galeazzo Ciano. This highlights the unity and the number of nations who agreed to let Germany have a piece of Czechoslovakia. -
Italy invades Albania
This picture shows another example of Mussolini's imperialist goals as Italian troops march to Durrës, Albania in order to gain Albanian territory. -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
This picture not only confirms Italy joining world war 2 but upon closer inspection, the newspaper says the people of Italy cheered for Mussolini's decision. This shows the publics view on the war. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
Mussolini was brought down and voted out by his grand council and was later arrested. This newspaper shows the international news of Mussolini being kicked out of his position. -
Mussolini killed
After Mussolini's death, a mob took his corpse, along with the bodies of his mistresses, to Milan where they were hung upside down and abused by the mob. This emphasizes the public hatred for Mussolini during the end of his life.