Mussolini and Fascist Italy

Formation of an independent Italy

1861

This is the Crest of the House of Savoy, the Italian Monarchy that united the Italian Penninsula.

Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy

1870

This is an image of Pope Pius IX, the leader of the Catholic Church when it was taken over by the newly Unified Italy.

Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)

Mar 1, 1896

This is an artistic rendition of the battle, in which Ethiopia becomes victorious against Italian invasion.

Italy invades and takes over Libya

Sep 29, 1911

I chose this image because it shows the gruesomeness of how Italy conquered Libya from the Ottoman Empire.

Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I

1914

This image was chosen as it is the symbol used by the Italian Socialist Party (PSI). Mussolini was kicked due to having nationalistic views in terms of WWI.

Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

Nov 15, 1914

This image was chosen as it is an image of an iteration of the Avanti! newspaper. Avanti translates to "after you" in english.

Treaty of London

Apr 26, 1915

This image was chosen as it shows an Italian soldier shaking hands with French and British soldiers, representing the new allies in WWI

Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

Axe shows that they are willing to take action, logs shows motive to unite under ultranationalism

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

Nov 16, 1919

This image was chosen as it is an image of protesters who went on strike during Biennio Rosso, or the red years.

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolotti

Mar 15, 1921

Pictures shows Giolotti. An alliance with Giolotti will give Mussolini power and the ability to control his party

D'Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1921

Picture shows D'annunzio with 2000 Italians entering Fiume, promoted fascist growth and took control of the state to gain power

Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected as its leader

Nov 9, 1921

Photo shows the PNF, shows control they gained through the Italian flag in the background and displays their influence over the Italians

March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

Oct 28, 1922

Picture shows Mussolini leading a march to Rome to protest the Prime Minister by demanding his downfall following the 1921 election

Acerbo Law passed

Jul 31, 1923

Picture shows Giacomo Acerbo, the law made more seats available for the party which allowed more fascist representation

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

Picture shows Italian troops moving to Greece, incident was triggered when an Italian general was killed on Greek territory due to a military disagreement between Greece and Italy

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

Image shows the casket of Matteoti after his assassination, crisis was due to a political disagreement under the Italian government (fascists and liberals)

Aventine Secession

Jun 20, 1924

Picture shows who left after the disagreement. From the Italian Chamber of Deputies, 150 deputies left.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty

Aug 27, 1924

This image shows the members of the Kellogg Briand Pact gathering to debate over and agree upon the terms of the treaty.

Battle for Grain

1925

This image shows an example of propaganda expressed in Fascist Italy. This specific picture is meant to convey the idea of Autarky and encourage self-sufficiency in Italy through the homegrown grain.

Locarno Treaty signed

Dec 1, 1925

Picture shows the "3 Musketeers" or Aristide Briand, Gustav Stresemann, and Austen Chamberlain. The signing of the treaty symbolizes the reconciliation and cooperation between Germany, France, and Britain after World War I.

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

Aug 18, 1926

This image shows the Lira which was the Italian currency at the time. It provides context in terms of what Mussolini was attempting to implement through this policy.

Battle for Births

1927

This image is a WW2 Italian Fascist Mother's Medal that was awarded to all women in Italy who bore 5 or more children. This further displays the importance of the birth rate in Italy during this time.

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Jun 7, 1929

This image shows Mussolini sitting down with the Pope to sign the agreement to make Vatican City its own separate state. This ended conflict between the government and religious powers in Italy.

Abyssinian Crisis

1935

This image shows a Newspaper headline in the US after Italy's invasion of modern-day Ethiopia, which displays backlash from the West.

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

This image shows the land that was initially protected by the Stresa agreement until Italy's actions eventually broke this protection.

Italian Involvement with Spanish Civil War

Jul 17, 1936

Although this is a piece of propaganda by the Republican enemies of Italy in Spain, I still decided to use this picture because it shows the intentions of Italy: to instill a sphere of influence around the Mediterranean

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed

Oct 25, 1936

This image shows Mussolini and Adolf Hitler who were the members of this treaty. Their relationship would be one that would persist until the end of WWII which saw the downfall of both Fascist leaders.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

I chose this picture because it shows the power both Hitler and Mussolini had prior to the real start of WWII as they were the center of all the European leaders. Also, the picture shows the significance of the Munich Conference with every big European leader involved

Italy Invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

This picture demonstrates the easiness of the invasion of Albania, as well as fascist Italy's power over weaker nations in the region. In addition, it shows the effect of Mussolini's policies over the past 15 years as leader, and how they benefited his army.

Italy enters WWII on the side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

This image shows the friendship between Hitler and Mussolini due to their similar ideologies, and shows the extreme support of the people in the background. This is significant as it shows the base of the Axis alliance in the beginning of WWII

Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII

Jul 25, 1943

This picture shows the perception of the British on Mussolini being removed from power. It discusses the event as a step to the end of the war, which shows Mussolini's significance to fueling the conflict in Italy, and how him being removed essentially removed Italy from the war.

Mussolini killed

Apr 28, 1945

This picture of a crowd gathering in a square to view Mussolini dead symbolize the failure that became of Mussolini's regime, and the disapproval of the Italian people of Mussolini at the end of his reign