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Formation of an Independent Italy
Aside from the catholic controlled state in Rome, Italy finally achieved its long-desired unified country. However, with any formal establishment of power, there were severe political movements to follow, later yielding to the rise of Benito Mussolini and his PNF. I chose this image as it shows the crest and flag of Italy in 1861 which is very similar to the current Italian flag. -
Papal States Taken Over by New Nation of Italy
The new nation of Italy takes the final territories it did not have surrounding the Italian borders (territories closest to it), including the catholic controlled area near Rome. This image shows the territorial differences in Italy before and after the acquisition of these territories. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
Filled with nationalism and pride, Italy attempted to invade Tigre and Eritrea and lost at the Battle of Adowa. I chose this image as it shows the number of Ethiopians who fought in the war an ultimetely defeated the Italians during this invasion. -
Italy invades and Takes Over Libya
Desperate to gain territory and legitimization to its citizens, Italy invades Libya in order to gain more territory and stop the French from gaining more colonies. Additionally, to recover from the defeat in the Adowa conflict, Italy kept fighting even after they won. I chose this image as I think it shows how proud Italy was to win a conflict and prove their strength. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Avanti!, a socialist newspaper, allowed Mussolini to become an editor and share his political views. Writing often about overthrowing the liberal state, Mussolini began honing in on his leadership through revolution. I chose this image as it clearly shows Mussolini often being a superpower in the socialist press. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I
Just 2 years after essentially controlling most of the Socialist propaganda in northern Italy, Benito Mussolini was expelled from the socialist party for speaking in public negatively about the Italian government. This image shows a headline covering this event. -
Treaty of London
The secret Treaty of London was signed in November of 1915 and promised land to Italy, if they were to enter World War I on the alliedd side and win. This included land along the Adriatic and parts of Albania which were later never given to Italy causing deep social revolts and anger among the allied powers. This image shows some of the territory that Italy was to get if they were to win the war. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Because of the number of people who lost their jobs due to Italy's involvement in WWI and the humiliation with the TOV, workers, especially in the emerging middle class of factory workers, riots and protests lasted for two red years, also known as the Biennio Rosso. I chose this image to show the amount of people who participated in these protests and its impacts. This lasted until 1921. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
Fascio di Combattimento, fighting groups, were various political people who used violence and fear in the growing fascist movement and formed in Milan in hopes of uniting nationalists and socialists into fascism. These men were later known as the blackshirts, known for terrorism and spreading fear through violence. This image is the symbol that represented the Fascio di Combattimento. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Gabriele D'Annunzio and over 2000 other Italians stormed Fiume and occupied it for about a year. To show the strength of the rising fascist party, most of these men, when they returned to Italy, joined the ranks of the PNF. This image, once more, shows the pride Italy, speficially the fascists, felt after taking Fiume. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Giolitti was the leader of the Italian government and despised the socialists. Making alliances with the fascists, Giolitti took aim at the socialists as he saw them as an immediate threat to the current Italian government. He allowed Mussolini and the fascists to run in the election to take seats away from the socialists. I chose this picture because I didn't know with Giolitti looked like and this puts an image to this event. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
Mussolini founded the PNF, Italy's fascist party. Needing seats in the upcoming elections, Mussolini began seeking legitimization in Italy but did not win many seats in the first election. This was later followed up by the Acerbo law which would ensure more seats in the next election, giving Mussolini credibility and authority over parliment. I chose this image because it is very similar to that of the Fascio di Combattimento and was similar in style. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
Due to the growing recognition and credibility of the PNF following the 1921 elections, it was clear fascism was a possibility in Italy. Mussolini demanded the resignation of the current prime minister and, with 25,000 blackshirts, Mussolini lead (some say he did not participate himself) a march to Rome to take the position. I chose this image because it provides a visualization of the march. -
Acerbo Law Passed
The Acerbo Law was passed in hopes to give the fascist party more seats in the parliament. It was proposed by Baron Acerbo. I chose this image to show the propaganda natured promotion of fascists taking more control of the government. -
Corfu Incident
From August to September in 1923, the Italians fought in Greece because Italian men were killed on Greek land. To boost nationalism and once more gain credibility as an emerging leader, Mussolini sent armed forces to terrorize the area and show that Italy would not stand for the Greek action. This image shows the soldiers were professional and prepared to fight. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
In 1924, after Mussolini rose to power, he began seeking expansion and credibility on the global scene. Overall, Mussolini worked with the spanish to increase his global reputation. He also wanted to increase his ties in Europe. This is significant in relation to his desire to rapidly expand fascism in Europe. -
Matteotti Crisis
The Matteotti Crisis refers to the assassination of Matteotti, a socialist opposer. This was considered taking it "too far" and caused nearly 150 deputies to leave overnight. While never taking direct responsibility for ordering the hit, Mussolini, on behalf of the fascist party, took responsibility. Many called for his overthrow but Mussolini mocked these people and dared them to try. This image shows the protests that ensued after the assassination. -
Aventine Secession
Many deputies left Mussolini's rule in protest and called for his overthrow after the Matteotti crisis. Secession refers to the number of people, around 150 deputies, leaving. I chose this image because it offers a different perspective to the resolution of the secession. -
Battle for Grain
In attempts to become self-sufficient, Mussolini asked farmers to grow a lot of grain. While a lot was produced, Italy fell short on other needed resources. This image shows just how much grain was produced, probably on a single harvest for the day. -
Locarno Treaty signed
This was the treaty that formally declared peace between Britain, France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy. While meant to ease tensions, Italy was upset with its unfulfilled promises for more land. This would later encourage Italy to help Germany due to Italy's hatred for the allied forces not giving them the land they were promised in the Treaty of London in 1915. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
The Battle for Land was an attempt to clear some marshland and swamps to have more land for agricultural developments and to boost the economy. The Battle for the Lira was an attempt as well to boost the economy but ultimately ended in over inflation, and high priced exports. I chose this image to represent the Lira and what it looked like. -
Battle for Births
The Battle for Births was Mussolini's way to increase the population in Italy in the late 1920's. This was to ensure men could go to war and women could stay at home and take care of the children. However, with men leaving for war, women needed to find work to support the industry and keep supplies ready for the soldiers. I chose this image to represent this event because it shows a large number of babies being taken care of. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
The Kellogg-Briand Treaty was signed by 15 countries, Italy being one of them, to attempt to stop war in Europe and improve the reputation of Italy on the global scene. Evidently this did not last long as WWII started not too many years after this Treaty was signed, Italy taking part in the conflict and siding with Germany. I chose this image as it shows the actual signing of the Treaty. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
This "agreement" was not really an agreement. While they formally supported one another, Mussolini paying a chunk of money, enforcing religious schooling for the youth, and giving land back in the papal state for Vatican City, the pope still disagreed with most of Mussolini's domestic policies due to their conflict of interest and what they believed was "good" for Italy. I chose this image to show the Pope and Mussolini next to one another. -
Abyssinian Crisis
Italy attacked Abyssinia in 1935 which, to no surprise, violated the Kellogg-Briand Treaty saying that there would be no war. The LON enforced strict economic consequences on Italy's exports which only made Mussolini call for Italy to become even more self-sufficient. I chose this political cartoon to represent how Italy mocked the LON and did not see this as a credible attack against Italy. -
Stresa Front
This was essentially an attack on the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaty and made Austria an independent state. This was done by France, Britain, and Italy. I chose this political cartoon as a representation of the event because it offers various perspectives from different political leaders. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
The Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty was a direct link between Nazi-Germany and Fascist-Italy. This caused a rash of anti-semitic responses from the Italian government. While not on nearly the same scale as in Germany, Italy still saw minor outbreaks of attacks on Jews specifically in trying to remove them from certain areas of Italy. I chose this picture to show Mussolini giving the Nazi salute to represent their alliance. -
Munich Conference
The Munich Conference allowed Germany to gain more territories in Czechoslovakia that were mostly filled with Germans. Due to the fear for another World War, which did happen, the allied powers agreed. This image shows the world leaders talking at the conference. -
Italy invades Albania
Mussolini ordered Guzzoni and the Italian army to invade Albania. Italy did this for 2 reasons. 1 - to gain more territory over a more broad area. 2 - to prove to the world Italy was serious about being a world superpower. This once more shows Italy invading Albania with the flag flying in the background. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII
Because Italy failed time after time in WWII, most of Italy was very upset with Mussolini and blamed him for their involvement in the war and their losses. A board of the Fascists Grand Council voted and removed Mussolini from power on July 24th, 1943. -
Italy enters WWII on the side of Germany
Adhering to Hitler's advice, Italy entered WWII with Germany and delcared war on France and Britain. This caused severe revolts across Italy and angered many. This image shows the two men riding in the same car and showing their alliance and friendship due to their similarities in policies. -
Mussolini killed
Mussolini was killed along with his mistress after he was arrested by a communist group. This image shows the death of Mussolini and his mistress.
