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Formation of an Independent Italy
The beginning process in order to unify Italy was with the Franco-Austrian war. "Risorgimento" was the continual movement referred to give the Italians what they desired. Bourbon monarchy was overthrown with the help of Giuseppi Garibaldi and a national parliament was convened, Victor Emmanuel II was declared king. The image represents the priorly fragmentally/divided Italian peninsula before it was an autonomously ruled region. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
In September of 1870, the Kingdom of Italy invaded into the Papal States (Republic of Saint Peter/Church States) and ended up annexing them by early October due to the result of a plebiscite. Additionally, they also annexed Rome alongside. The loss of land is significant as it limited the spread of and removed the power from Catholicism. The image represents a before and after diagram of what the Italians ruled. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
The Battle of Adowa occurred in Ethiopia and originated over the disputed Treaty of Wuchale. The Italian soldiers and Eritrean soldiers (askaris) were extremely outnumbered by the Ethiopian army. EIther killed, captured, mutilated, etc. The Treaty of Addis Ababa was derived from this battle. This holds significance as it was a symbol of advocacy for pan-Africanism. The image represents a painting of Ethiopian forces assisted by St George gaining victory. Painted 1965–1975. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italian army invades a Turkish province of Libya, starting the Italo-Turkish War. Two colonies, Italian Tripolitania and Italian Cyrenaica, were established. Significantly, the economy flourished throughout this as infrastructure took off while Italy gained natural resources and produced agriculture more efficiently. Eventually, in 1934, both merge and become known as Italian Libya. The image represents the Italian perspective of taking over the Ottoman Tripolitania in 1911 -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Upon his release from prison, Mussolini began work as an editor in the Socialist Party Newspaper (Avanti). Was declared the anti-imperialist, antimilitarist, and antinationalist editor. While he advocated for revolutionary violence against the liberal state, he also opposed Italy’s intervention in World War I. His work in this department is significant as it demonstrates his political ideologies. The image represents an excerpt from the official voice of the Italian Socialist Party, -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
After editing for roughly two years, Mussolini was kicked out due to his political positions and support towards the war. His ideologies were beginning to steer away from Socialism and tread towards nationalistic/fascist ideas. He then started up his own newspaper, Il Popolo d'Italia, in order to promote his beliefs instead. This is significant as it was the first, bigger stages towards his fascist regime. The image represents an excerpt of his newspaper -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London (Trattato di Londra) was the agreement as to which Italy would join in WWI through the Triple Entente (United Kingdom, France, and Russia). This is significant as it intended to include land expansion for the empires and promote nationalism. Russia was the only one to be on board and the treaty was never fully fulfilled. The image represents the signatures on the treaty. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
The extreme unemployment due to men leaving for WWI throughout Socialist Italy led to a violent movement, known as Biennio Rosso--which influenced strikes and unions craving change for roughly two years. Citizens strived for a new form of government in order to meet their demands which is significant as it pushed Mussolini towards a stronger fascist ideology. The image represents factories manned by the red guards in protest. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
Mussolini formed the Fascio di Combattimento (the Fascist 1st Hour) in Milan on March 23rd, 1919 in hopes of uniting members of nationalism and socialism to strengthen his envisioned fascist party. This is significant as it would lead to his later weakness when he was not voted highly for in the election. The image represents the emblem of the movement, insinuating the violence that would gain a fascist following. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Poet Gabriele D'Annunzio guided around 2,000 armed men into Fiume in order to capture it and give it to Italy, done by asserting power and force. This escapade was significant as it was the largest single nationality in the city now for Italy's rule and it also influenced Mussolini to approach Fascism with the same ideology (power and force). Picture represents Gabriele D'Annunzio and supporters in Fiume, 1919. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini formed a national election alliance with the leader of the Italian government. Both were traditional men part of an anti-socialist group. Significant due to Mussolini's incentive was to secure his political power in his party and allow the liberals to gain trust. The image represents Giovanni Giolitti. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
The Partito Nazionale Fascista (PNF) was established on November 9th, 1921 out of Rome. The Fasci di Combattimento and the Associazione Nazionalista Italiana had combined, keeping fascist but also Italian values present. Significant because this was an Italian nationalism representation interested in expansion with Mussolini as the leader, emphasizing his full fascist ideas. the image displays the logo, keeping the axe and incorporating the Italian flag -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
The March on Rome was an organized coup d'état occurring throughout October of 1922 in order for fascists to gain political confidence (local->national power idea). This movement is significant as it resulted in the PNF obtaining power in the Kingdom of Italy. King Victor Emmanuel III appointed Mussolini as the Prime Minister, replacing Luigi Facta. The image represents Benito Mussolini and his Blackshirts during the March. -
Corfu Incident
The Corfu Incident consists of the conflict between Italy and Greece, originating with when an Italian general was murdered in Greek territory. Mussolini, the Prime Minister of Italy, requested an ultimatum in order for Greece to give reparations--which was refused and later followed with Corfu being bombarded and occupied. The image represents Corfu, one of the Ionian Islands. -
Acerbo Law passed
Italian electoral law created by Baron Giacomo Acerbo, intended to visualize which party would occupy the seats in the government and overall help reform the electoral system. This was passed by the Italian Parliament in the beginning of November 1923. The significance of such a reform was for it to give the fascist party a majority of deputies and it would stabilize the Italian government's lead in control. The photo represents Baron Giacomo Acerbo. -
Aventine Secession
The death of Matteoti led most of the opposition deputies – mainly socialists, communists and radical Popolari – to boycott parliament in protest, under the leadership of the liberal Giovanni Amendola. The Aventine secession was meant to force the king to fire Mussolini. The king blamed the opposition for unconstitutional behavior and Mussolini stayed in power.
Reasoning: This is Giovanni Amendola, he lead the boycotts and protests
(ignore the day, month is right) -
Matteotti Crisis
Giacomo Mateotti was well aware and researched on the violence and election corruption from the Fascists. He was soon kidnapped and killed after attempting to expose this, making Mussolini a suspect in his death. This was significant as it bashed his image seemingly temporarily. He protected his reputation by arresting Dumini and the gangs. The image represents a large, comedic Mussolini on top of the coffin, demonstrating he will protect his built-up legacy and great power. -
Battle for Grain
The Battle for Grain, was launched in response to a poor harvest and a consequent increase in grain imports. The aim was to get farmers to grow more cereals in order to reduce Italy’s dependence on foreign imports.
Reasoning: Mussolini is harvesting grain -
Locarno Treaty Signed
The Locarno Pact of 1925 was an agreement signed on Dec 1, 1925 between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and Germany. The treaty guaranteed Germany's western frontier. Stresemann believed that through signing the Pact, it would increase confidence in Germany amongst her own people but also other European powers.
Reasoning: Its a photo of the Locarno Treaty document -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
18 August 1926, the Battle for the Lira began when the value of the Italian currency dropped. To restore its value abroad and to increase Italian prestige, the lire was re-valued. This allowed Italy to continue importing coal and iron for armaments and shipbuilding.
Reasoning: Photo of lira -
Battle for Births
The Battle for Births was launched in 1927 to increase the population. To achieve this, the fascists encouraged early marriage, offered maternity benefits, exhorted women not to work, and gave jobs to married fathers. They also gave prizes to those women in each of Italy’s 93 provinces who had the most children during their lives.
Reason: Mussolini setting an example during the Battle for Births -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
The Kellogg-Briand Pact was an agreement to outlaw war signed on August 27, 1928. Signed by 62 countries.
Reason: All the major leaders signing the treaty -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
Lateran Treaty term were that the government accepted papal sovereignty over Vatican City, which became an independent state. So, the pope formally recognized the Italian state, and its possession of Rome and the former papal states. This created good standings between Mussolini and the Catholic Church.
Reason: Mussolini and Catholic priests -
Stresa Front
Stresa Front, coalition of France, Britain, and Italy formed in April 1935 at Stresa, Italy, to oppose Adolf Hitler's announced intention to rearm Germany, which violated terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
Reason: Photo of the Stresa Front -
Abyssinian Crisis
The Abyssinia Crisis was an international crisis in 1935 that originated in what was called the Walwal incident during the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Ethiopia. Went to May 9th, 1936
Reasoning; these are battle plans from the Abyssinian Crisis -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
1936-39. During the Spanish Civil War Italy sent 80,000 men, of whom almost 6,000 belonged to the Italian Air Force, 45,000 to the army and 29,000 to the fascist militia. As well as a plethora of weaponry to support the nationalists against the Second Spanish Republic.
Reason: Visual of Italy giving a hand by giving weaponry and men to nationalists -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
The Rome-Berlin Axis was a coalition formed between Italy and Germany on 25 October 1936, which served to informally link the two fascist countries.
Reason: Hitler and Mussolini together, Mussolini doing a Nazi salute -
Munich Conference
September 29–30, 1938: Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France sign the Munich agreement, by which Czechoslovakia must surrender its border regions and defenses (the so-called Sudeten region) to Nazi Germany.
Reason: Photo of the leaders who were present during the Munich Conference -
Italy invades Albania
- 4/12/1939 The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Mussolini. Albania was rapidly overrun, its ruler King Zog I was forced into exile in Greece, and the country made part of the Italian Empire as a protectorate in personal union with the Italian Crown. Reason: Italy artillery trucks driving in Albania
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Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
Italy’s entry into the Second World War in 1940 initiated the first signs of real renewed internal opposition, characterised by the outbreak of strikes.
Reason: Italy leader Mussolini and Germany leader Hitler walking side by side -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII
July 25, 1943, Mussolini gets voted out of power by his Grand Council and arrested upon leaving a meeting with King Vittorio Emanuele, who tells Il Duce that the war is lost. Mussolini responded to it all with an uncharacteristic meekness.
Reason: Mussolini is being displayed as a coward as his actions contradict his words -
Mussolini killed
Mussolini’s death, occurred on 28 April 1945, in the final days of World War II in Europe, when he was summarily executed by an Italian partisan in the small village of Giulino di Mezzegra in northern Italy.
Reasoning: Mussolini is hung upside down in Giulino di Mezzegra