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Formation of an Independent Italy
The Risorgimento - a political and social movement movement - brought unification to Italy. However, its domination of liberals and feud with the Popolari resulted in a dysfunctional ruling, giving room for the socialists and fascists to rise up. This map was chosen as it demonstrates the significance of Italy becoming a collective, whole country; however, even with unification, regional and ideological differences still separated Italy from a holistic coalition. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
Shortly after unification, the Papal states were officially incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy. This is significant in showing that despite having control over the papal states, the Pope and Christianity would still be a large contributing factor towards the country. The conflict demonstrates continuity into the years that follow when Mussolini comes to power. The image depicts a before and after map of the final action made to unify Italy. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War w/ the Battle of Adwa (Adowa)
Italy had initially occupied the province of Tigre in Abyssinia but approached a devastating defeat in the Battle of Adwa against Ethiopia. The image chosen depicts the battle and symbolizes the issue of preparation in regards to Italy's loss. From the perspective of the Italian people, many viewed it as a terrible national humiliation. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
In attempts to increase the size of the Italian empire and block France's influence in North Africa, Italy invaded the Turkish colony of Libya. This is significant in Italy re-painting itself as a powerful nation, though many (nationalists) were still upset about the Abyssinian defeat. The image demonstrates a stark contrast between the defeat against Ethiopia and the win against Turkey. -
Mussolini works as editor for Avanti (Socialist Party Newspaper)
After being released from imprisonment due to attempts on provoking an insurrection against the Italian war on Libya, Mussolini was appointed editor of the Avanti where he advocated for revolutionary violence in his articles. This image and event highlights the change within Mussolini's political views in which he was initially socialist and eventually made a significant decision in switching towards right-wing ideals of ultra-nationalism. -
Mussolini Kicked out of Socialist Party
After advocating for war and having pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding World War 1, Mussolini established his own newspaper - Il Popolo d'Italia. This is significant as it demonstrates a change within Mussolini's values as he initially started out as protesting the Italian War on Libya, fighting for international solidarity, then completely switched to campaigning for World War 1, calling for national union. This image was chosen to signify the declaration of Mussolini's views. -
Treaty of London
Italy decided to sign the Treaty of London, the main term being that Italy would be joining the Triple Entente (France, Russia, and Great Britain). This was partially caused by the fasci and national socialist push for demanding war involvement. This image was chosen to demonstrate the differing alliances within World War 1, as well as to highlight Italy's position during the war. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
One of the harsh effects of World War 1 was the rise in unemployment; this prompted industrial workers to start militant action from 1919 to 1920; socialism was becoming a major threat in Italy. This is significant as it is one of the key events in fascism's rise to power as the liberals and the pope needed a group equally as violent to stop the spread of these This image depicts the amount of people who were upset and hurt by the government's failure to take action. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
In attempts to bring the Ariditi groups together, Mussolini formed he Fascio di Combattimento with its founding members known as the Fascists of the First Hour. This later resulted in countless acts of violence against the citizens of Italy and signifies one of the roots of violence within Mussolini's rule. This image provides symbolism for what the 'fighting 'group' advocated for. -
D'Annunzio takes Fiume
D'annunzio led 2000 armed men to the city of Fiume and ruled it for 15 months. This event is a significant occurrence to Mussolini as he became heavily inspired by the tactics used o D'annunzio such as theatrical trappings and utilizing the ancient Roman salute. This image depicts the state of Fiume under D'annunzio. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini privately assured many liberal politicians to not take the Fascist revolution seriously. This resulted in Giolitti offering the fascists an electoral alliance - the Anti-socialist National Bloc. This is significant in demonstrating the political party's complete cooperation in being against the socialists. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected leader
After resigning from the Fascist Central Committee, Mussolini persuaded the Fascio di Combattimento to reform into a political party. This event and photo is significant in demonstrating the coexisting nature of violence and fascism. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
As the Ras wanted to go national, Mussolini appeased the militant supporters by agreeing towards the March on Rome. This was significant as it officially established the fascists as the leading political party in Italy, and resulted in Mussolini being appointed Prime Minister by Victor Emmanuel III. The image depicts the many who participated to fight for fascism. -
Acerbo Law Passed
The Acerbo Law was an electoral law that stated that the party with the most votes would gain 2/3 of the parliament seats. It was eventually signed in November of 1923 which became highly significant in the Fascist's entry into government in which the fascists started with only 35 seats in chamber to 373 out of 535. This eventually caused the Matteoti Crisis. This image depicts how much of the government the Fascists influenced. -
Corfu Incident
Greece refused to pay 50 million lire for the murder of an Italian general on Greek soil, so Mussolini pushed for the invasion of Corfu in Greece, and this eventually caused Greece to pay the fine. In the perspective of the Italian people, Mussolini was regarded as a national hero, helping him towards his prominence as future dictator of Italy. The image depicts the link between Italy and Greece. -
Matteotti Crisis
It started when Socialist Giacomo Matteotti openly condemned fascist violence during the election and threatened to supply evidence of result fraud. In June of 1924, he was abducted and murdered, leaving many to neglect Mussolini's regime. This eventually resulted in the Aventine Succession and is significant in the public becoming more aware of Mussolini's violent tactics. This political cartoon depicts the way Mussolini aimed to stop the crisis and put socialism ideals away. -
Aventine Secession
Newspapers began publishing Mussolini's involvement in the death of Matteoti. This caused socialists and radical popolari to boycott parliament in hopes of getting the King to dismiss Mussolini. In contrast however, the King did the opposite and instead blamed the opposition for their behavior. This demonstrates how large of a role the King's perspectives played in the consolidation of Mussolini's power. -
Battle for Grain
In response to Italy's poor harvest and increased grain imports, Mussolini launched this campaign in hopes of allowing Italian farmers to grow more cereals so that Italy's dependence on foreign imports would reduce. This was highly significant in Mussolini's plan for Italy to be seen as a great power. This is an image of a Propaganda photo used by Mussolini to promote the Battle for Grain. -
Locarno Treaty Signed
After World War 1, this treaty had guaranteed Germany's western frontier with Italy and Britain committing themselves to help repel armed aggression coming across the frontier. This represents change in which it failed later on as Germany denounced the treaties. This image depicts those negotiating the treaties. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
Mussolini drained marshes and swamps which was significant as it allowed the establishment of small farms, but also created work for the unemployed. In the Battle for the Lira, Mussolini artificially raised the value of the lira which resulted in a later recession that worsened when the Great Depression hit. This image is significant in demonstrating civilian life under Mussolini. -
Battle for Births
With the aim to increase population to improve his forces and troops in the future, Mussolini promoted early marriage, encouraged women not to work, and gave prizes to women with the most children during their lives. This was highly unsuccessful as many women continued to work since men were working in the troops. This image signifies Mussolini's attempts to encourage the public to have more kids through showing them his own. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
This pact was an international agreement that those who signed promised not to use war to resolve conflicts and disputes no matter the origin. The agreement failed however, as none of the powers truly enforced the terms of the treaty. This political cartoon aims to demonstrate the failure of the treaty as it did nothing to keep peace. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
In this treaty, Mussolini's government agreed to accept papal sovereignty over Vatican City, and in return, the Pope agreed to formally recognize the Italian state and the possession of Rome. This had a negative consequence on Mussolini as the Catholic church remained a rival to Mussolini. This image depicts the cooperation made between Mussolini and the church, which also signifies the lengths Mussolini would go through to achieve support for his dictatorship. -
Abyssinian Crisis
This is a continuity of Italy's weakened pride as they wanted to annex Abyssinia after their defeat in Adowa in 1186. Mussolini utilized border conflict to initiate the war, which was accompanied by the Hoare-Laval Pact proposed by Britain and France to partition Abyssinia and the major ports and cities be run by Italy. This has significance in the future in which aims were made to hprevent Italy's alliance with Germany, needing Mussolini against Hitler. The image depicts plans made to invade. -
Stresa Front
This was a European Alliance between France, Britain, and Italy in hopes of preventing and opposing Hitler's decision of wanting to rearm Germany. This is highly significant as it is a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles's terms. In addition, from the perspective of Italy, Mussolini still held grudges towards France and Britain for opposing his invasion of Abyssinia. The image depicts the leaders on their way to hopefully prevent Germany's decision. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
In continuation with Mussolini's nationalistic values, Mussolini decided to intervene in the Spanish Civil War to support the nationalist cause. Italy, along with Germany, provided the nationalists with planes, takes, machine guns, and rifles. This is significant as Mussolini and Hitler begin to spread their influence towards other countries of their nationalistic ideals. This image depicts the perspective of a republican as they believe Italy's purpose if intervening was to soon invade. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
The Rome-Berlin Axis was an official pact between Italy and Germany that linked the two countries in cooperation. This is significant in the later years as they eventually become the Axis Powers with Japan during World War 2. -
Munich Conference
Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany reached a settlement stating that German was allowed to annex Sudetenland, a Germanic area located in Czechoslovakia. This agreement was allowed due to the fear of another war, and hopes that this could establish peace. This is possibly significant in foreshadowing the events that World War II to occur. The image depicts the leaders of the four nations coming together to have a mutual agreement. -
Italy invades Albania
Mussolini aimed to invade and annex Albania for the purpose of extending it's imperial footprint and helping Italy maintain a reputation as a great power. This picture is significant in showing Italy roaming the streets of Albania and spreading Italy's influence. -
Italy enters WWII on side of Germany
Italy's main purpose of joining the war alongside the Axis powers was to achieve territorial gain in Africa and the Middle East. This is significant as it demonstrates Mussolini aiming to achieve his goal of making Italy a global power. This picture depicts the friendship and alliance of Mussolini and Hitler, which thus placed the countries in these corresponding positions to be allies. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII
After continuous military setbacks, the Fascist Grand Council voted 19 to 7 to remove Mussolini from power. The following day, the king ordered Mussolini to resign. This is significant as it demonstrates that Mussolini's dictatorship was not as powerful as planned, demonstrated through the ease of his overthrow. The image depicts Mussolini the month during his rescue from the Germans as they helped him escape his enforced isolation from a region in eastern Italy after the coup. -
Mussolini Killed
After being arrested the previous day for trying to flee with the Germans, a communist-led group of partisans shot Mussolini and his mistress. This image depicts Mussolini along with other fascist leaders who were hung in Piazzale Loreto in Milan. This demonstrates not only the violence of the socialists, but the amount of hate the people of Italy had for fascism and Mussolini.
