-
Italy was officially unified in Early 1861, also known as Risorgimiento. Pre-unification Italy’s peninsula was composed of many different kingdoms, who had small battles with each other, but Italy was relatively peaceful. However, in 1861 Italy became completely unified under King Victor Emmanuel II, with the exception of Rome and Venetia. This picture shows the fighting during the Risorgimento movement which eventually led to the unification of Italy. -
The Papal states are the various kingdoms existing Pre-unification under usually conservative monarchical Rule. By 1860, virtually all Papal states had been absorbed into the Piedmont-Sardinia super kingdom except economic powerhouses, Venetia and Rome. Finally, Rome was captured in 1870 and became the new capital of Italy whilst collapsing the Papal States. This picture provides a visual of the state of the Papal States before and after Italy's annexation. -
On March 1, 1896, Italy attempted to colonize Abyssinia/Eritrea/Ethiopia. The Italians were greatly outnumbered and quickly pushed back toward their home ground humiliatingly. This invasion turned away most of Italy’s potential allies because of their haphazard violent battle tactics. The drawing illustrates the outnumbered Italians losing the Battle of Adwa, displaying the loss Italy had experienced. -
Italy claimed that they were deserving of all historically Roman areas and began their ‘reclaim’ of their lands with their invasion of Ottoman-ruled Libya. The Italians sent a 24-hour ultimatum to the Ottomans on September 28th, 1911, however, the lack of compromise prompted Italy to declare war on the same day. This picture depicts a group of Italian soldiers walking through the terrain of Libya, highlighting the commitment the Italian empire put into their campaigns. -
Before his Fascist rise, Mussolini worked determinedly for the Socialist movement against the war and expansion of the Italian Military. During 1912, he was the Primary editor for the wildly popular Italian newspaper, Avanti. Mussolini vehemently supported the socialist beliefs of anti-militarism, anti-war, and anti-Nationalism. This picture shows an article of the Avanti newspaper written by Mussolini, signifying the start of Mussolini's rise to power. -
Despite him gaining popularity for his Pro-Socialist policy Editorials, he was canned from the magazine after he made a 180 switch and began to spew pro-war and violent manifestos. He was also kicked from the Socialist party altogether for not representing their view of neutrality in war. This shocked the Italian public because of his vehement support for neutrality. This picture shows Mussolini's new magazine created after his departure from the socialist party, Il Popolo d'Italia. -
The Treaty of London was signed in secret on April 25, 1915, between Great Britain, Italy, France, and Russia to bring Italy into WW1 on the side of the Entente. Italy was very reluctant to join but agreed if Italy was promised land in the North, which contained ample farmland to sustain their growing empire, and a port city. This picture displays the land that Italy was supposed to get after the war, however when the war was over, they received nothing they were promised. -
Biennio Rosso, or "the red years" in English, happened from 1919 to 1920 and prompted an era of revolution. With riots, lootings, and land stealing in the south, Biennio Rosso was a stage of defiance against the failing government and social conditions. Many Italians were staunch in their beliefs to either side and did anything to defend their parties. This picture displays a strike during the Biennio Rosso period and highlights the instability within Italy at the time. -
Mussolini officially formed the first major fascist group in Milan, Italy. Their first goals were to disseminate liberal social policy. This included women’s suffrage, the 8-hour workday, and war/veteran profits. They specialized in anti-republican or center rhetoric, unaligned with Mussolini’s later work where he worked alongside the center against the socialists. This picture contains importance as it displays the symbol for the Fascio di Combattimento. -
Gabriele D’Annunzio infiltrated Fiume on September 12, 1919. His motive was to reunite Italy all under one kingdom like it truly belongs because of the Italian population majority in Fiume. However, the Italian government did not want to be associated with Fiume of D’ Annunzio so he went on to lead Fiume as a constitutional dictatorship for years until 1924. This picture shows Gabriele D’Annunzio, who led and succeeded with the invasion despite not having direct backing from the government. -
Mussolini knew that he would need to build allies for his political career, so he chose to stay with the liberals. He made an alliance with Prime Minister Giovanni Giolitti, the leader of the National Blocs for the liberal Party. Mussolini banded his group, the Italian Fasces of Combat, with Giolitti’s group. This picture shows Giovanni Giolitti, the leader of the liberal party, the alliance proved to be a smart political move for Mussolini, as the fascists got a part in the Parliament. -
Mussolini founded the National Fascist Party (PNF) that he would lead up until his death in 1945. He constructed the party to complete his needed influence and power in Italy, but initially didn’t receive many seats (less than 10%). However, in the long run the party was considerably successful as it ended the complete dictatorship of Italy until the end of WW2 and completely separated the catholic church from the government. This picture illustrates the logo for the PNF. -
On October 28, 1922, the March on Rome was conducted, which would establish Mussolini and his fascist party as the most powerful Italian party. They used tactical and back-alley work because they were no match in numbers for the great Italian army, and on October 31, 1922, Mussolini was named Prime minister. This picture shows Mussolini, the new prime minister, who dubbed himself 'Il Duce'. Mussolini's new role marked the start of the fascist party's reign on Italy. -
Before the Acerbo law, the Italian government was run by many different parties, none having a majority rule, so law making was hard. However, the Acerbo law made it that if a party got more than 25% of the vote, they would be awarded ⅔ majority representation in the Italian Parliament. This picture shows Giacomo Acerbo, the politician behind the creation of the Acerbo Law. -
The Corfu Incident was to originally resolve border conflict between Albania and Greece in late 1923. Italian interference in the dispute was caused by the murder of an Italian diplomat in the conflict zone. Mussolini sent an ultimatum and eventually a naval deployment in Greek waters after Greece did not fully agree to his demands. This picture displays the deployed Italian navy on Greek waters, thus showing Mussolini's quick use forceful actions. -
In June 1924, Fascist thugs ‘assassinated’ Giacomo Matteotti, who condemned Fascist violence in the parliamentary elections. Matteotti’s kidnapping and assassination was suspected to be the doing of Mussolini, however, Mussolini began to work towards a totalitarian state, eventually ending up as the dictator of Italy. This picture shows Giacomo Matteotti before his assassination. -
150 center and left deputies of the Chamber of Deputies resigned to signify their opposition to Mussolini and the murder of Giacomo Matteotti. They failed to rile the public opinion and made it easier for Mussolini to take control. The 3 socialist lawmakers, are seen here on their approach to Quartarella to identify Matteotti's body. Demonstrates how Mussolini's actions during the crisis had an influence on others, leading the formation of the Aventine Secession. -
The Battle for Grain was one of the many economic battles Mussolini launched. The aim , which began in 1925, was to increase bread and cereal production and become less dependent on trade. It was successful in decreasing the dependence on trade, and the overall production of wheat. The image depicts a crowd waiting for grain. When Italy conquered Abyssinia, it allowed the administration to enhance grain output, which prevented discontent. Any trade bans on food would be fruitless. -
The Locarno Treaty was to grant peace in Western Europe, signed on December 1st, 1925, which included Italy. Germany had to renounce their use of force on their borders, and the nations involved agreed to a mutual arbitration.The country's leaders who signed the Locarno Treaty are seen in this photograph. This is crucial because it demonstrates how prior issues, such as the Treaty of Versailles, were resolved. -
The Battle of the Births began campaigning in 1927. Encouraged women to give birth to more children, to expand Italy’s future army, and ultimately take over more land. women time off work for their pregnancies, granting more money to couples in comparison to bachelors, and more. A hospital full of newborn newborns is seen in this image. An increase in the population was starting to take shape, but it would eventually collapse due to overpopulation in a short period of time -
Both battles surrounded the purpose of establishing Italy as a world power. The Battle for Land began in 1928, which aimed to convert marshland into farmland /reclaim the land. The Battle for Lira pushed for Italy to have a stronger currency, however, this proved detrimental to working class in Italy conditions declined. Mussolini is seen clearing the Pontine Marshes so more farmland might be created. This is crucial in demonstrating his commitment to the campaigns and their outcomes. -
The Kellog-Briand Treaty, signed August 27, 1928, mainly worked to eliminate the use of war as an aspect of national policy, ultimately contributing to the peacekeeping efforts post WW1. The US joined, which some saw as the U.S.’s compensation for not joining the League of Nations.The image shows a group of guys in an office discussing a treaty. The importance of this image is that it demonstrates that many nations supported in making war illegal and that majority rule prevailed. -
The Lateran Treaty lasted from 1929-1985, pushed to end the conflict between the papacy and the Italian state. However, Mussolini could not fully control the Church due to the suppression of the Catholic Action Youth Organization remaining tensions of the ban of the CAYO in Italy.The pope and Mussolini sign the Lateran Treaty close to each other in this photograph. This is essential in terms of demonstrating the papacy's unity with Italy, as both are considered to be on same footing -
The Stresa Front took place in Stresa, Italy, in April 1935 as a coalition between Italy, France, and Britain. The nations agreed to go against Hitler’s intentions to rearm Germany. Stresa Front did not last as Italy invaded Ethiopia, ending with the coalition being dissolved.3 nations are seen on a boat termed collective isolation in the cartoon. This is significant because it demonstrates how, out of terror and with no other option, people banded together to fight Germany. -
Apart of Italy’s expansion ideals, the Abyssinian Crisis from 1935-1936, was triggered by Italy’s attempt to expand into Africa. Italy built , within the Abyssinian territory, eventually being attacked by troops years later in an effort to take the fort. It is credited to the decline in credibility of the League of Nations, as it disrupted peace.Mussolini's determination to employ brutal weaponry to eliminate civilians and seize control of Abyssinian land is depicted in this image. -
The Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty was a coalition between Germany and Italy, on October 25, 1936. The agreement ultimately led to the alliance between fascist Germany and Italy, which then included Japan.The image represents a deal between Mussolini and Hitler in which Mussolini agrees not to interfere if Hitler takes over Austria and Hitler agree not to develop his German Empire near Italy. The allied powers continue to stay out of the conflict. -
Italy became involved in the Spanish Civil War to support the cause against the Spanish Republic. Mussolini joined the war to widen fascist influence, specifically in the Mediterranean. In 1938, Italy bombed multiple cities, including Barcelona, Valencia, and more.The Italians marched to Spain as an autonomous army unit rather than completely working with Spain during the conflict, as seen in this image. And the other way around. -
The Munich Conference took place September 30, 1938, between Great Britain, France, Italy, and Germany. The agreement allowed Germany to take over Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia in an effort to delay war, rather than prevent it altogether.The British and French prime ministers sign the Munich Pact with Adolf Hitler in this photograph. The pact prevented war from breaking out, but it also handed Czechoslovakia up to German annexation -
The invasion of Albania ran from April 7th to the 13th of 1939, as apart of Mussolini’s imperialist aims. Italy viewed Albania as they had important naval areas and was overall seen as significant strategically. The campaign ended with King Zog I of Albania in exile.The cartoon depicts Italy as a menacing power to Albania, compelling it to become a member of the country without much fight. This is crucial because it depicts Italy as the aggressor who effortlessly grabbed control. -
In 1940, Italy joined WWII as an Axis Power, along with Germany, in hopes of defeating the British in Africa and the Middle East. However, later in 1943, when the Allied forces entered Italy, many Italians stopped their support for the war.
The news is depicted in this significant main record of Mussolini felt Hitler was establishing himself as Europe's hegemon and considered an alliance with Germany as more advantageous than one with the western nations in order to maximize Italian dominan. -
On July 25, 1943, Mussolini’s Grand Council votes him out of power due to the loss in WWII and his destruction of the Italian state. In addition, he was arrested.An extract from the day Mussolini was deposed is included in this original text. This photograph is notable because it exposes in big type the Italian military inferiority that brought Mussolini's empire down. -
Benito Mussolini died on April 28th, 1945. While on the run to the Swiss border, Mussolini and his mistress was caught in the small village in Northern Italy. He was believed to be executed by Walter Audisio, of the communist party.Mussolini and his mistress are hanged upside down in this painting. The photograph is notable because it depicts the demonstration's savagery.