Mussolini and Fascism

Formation of An independent Italy

Mar 16, 1861

Italy gained its independence from Austria, through the help of Risorgimento (a nationalist movement meaning "rebirth").

Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy

Sep 20, 1870

Papal states were a series of territories ruled by the pope. By 1861, most of these states were conquered by the kingdom of Italy (independent from Austria). Only Rome remained under his control, until 1870 when seized by Italian troops to complete Italy’s
unification. 1873 the government
confirmed the confiscation of Rome. The
following year, the pope retaliated by
banning Catholics from all involvement
in politics , even voting.

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

Mar 1, 1896

Fought between Italy and Ethiopia 1895-1896. Ethiopia had a superior and better equipped army and aided by Russia and France. Result- Italy's poor nation and outdated army was defeated.

Italy's invasion of Libya

Sep 29, 1911

Italy wanted to expand size of Italian empire and block French influences in North Africa. In September 1911 Turkey refused to respond to the calling for Italian military occupation to protect Italian interests in the region so Italy declared war. After a preliminary naval bombardment, Italian troops landed and captured Tripoli on October 3, encountering only slight resistance.

Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

1912

The Italian newspaper represented socialism and was influenced by Germany’s newspaper Social Democratic Party of Germany called Vorwärts. 1912 Mussolini appointed editor of the official Socialist newspaper, Avanti! (“Forward!”), but resigned when in favor of Italy’s intervention in World War I.

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

1914

IN 1912, Mussolini had been a leading member of the National Directorate of the Italian Socialist Party (PSI), but was expelled in 1914 for advocating military intervention in World War I, in opposition to the party's stance on neutrality. From his perspective, his favored Italys entrance into WW1 becuase he wanted Italy to become a great power. This was a change in attitude, and it broke ties with socialists, therefore he got expelled from organization.

Treaty of London

Apr 26, 1915

Fasci members organized street demonstrations to demand Italy's involvement in war. They believed it would hasten revolution. They were joined by Associazione Nazionalista Italiana (ANI), who pushed for conquest of Libya. But liberal politicians already decided on war, and consequently in May 1915, Italy signed the Treaty of London and promised to join the war on the side of the Triple Entente.

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

1919

Biennio rosso (two red years)-1919, strikes, factory
occupations and land occupations, organised by trade unions and peasant leagues, involved over 1 million workers, all across Italy protesting increasing unemployment. Government did little, which led middle and upper classes to view it as incompetent because of a potential communist revolution.

Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

Groups of unemployed troops and officers, Arditi members, nationalists, syndicalists, brought together by Mussolini in Milan March 1919. These groups were united for their hatred of the liberal state, post war Italian society. Established in 70 towns in Italy.

D’Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1919

Gabriele D’Annunzio led 2000 armed men
to the city of Fiume , which was sought by Italy but not won in peace treaties. This bold action inspired Mussolini because D’Annunzio’s force quickly took control and ruled the city for the next
15 months. Mussolini even adopted the black shirts of the
Arditi. However his control of Fiume ended in January 1921 when the government forced him to surrender. This helped Mussolini get more control, as now there was no powerful rival.

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti

1921

While gaining the publics support for his leadership, Mussolini privately meets with Giolitti, prime minister, and
other liberal politicians to convince that no fascist revolution should would happen and as a result Giolitti offered the fascists an electoral alliance for the elections in May 1921. Fascist squads continued to attack-100 socialists killed. Fascio di Combattimento won 35 seats and Mussolini was proud, therefore not supporting Giolittis coalition government anymore.

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

Nov 7, 1921

Oct 1921 , Mussolini persuaded members of the Fasci di
Combattimento to re-form the organisation into a political party- Partito Nazionale Fascista (PNF). He then became a leader in November 1921 by persuading the Fascist
National Congress. In return, he promised to end truce
with socialists, and ordered action squads to be organized. He could now establish himself as a leader of a united political party. By end of 1921, the Fascist Party had membership of over 200,000.

March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

1922

The ras wanted national power and decided to march on Rome. Mussolini saw an opportunity to appease militant supporters, and intimidate the liberal government into making concessions. Consequently, organized march. Fascist squads took over town halls, etc across northern Italy. As a result, prime minister Facta persuaded king, commander of army, to declare state of emergency to stop fascists assembling in Rome. But king changed his mind and Facta resigned. Mussolini prime minister.

Acerbo Law

1923

The law gave the party or alliance that won the most votes two-thirds of the seats in parliament, as long as no less than 25% of the votes cast. The law intended give fascists control over Italian politics. In order to have it passed, Mussolini threatened to abolish parliament, and placed armed fascist guards on the doors to intimidate the deputies. Consequently, liberal leaders such as Giolitti and Salandra advised their supporters to approve the law, and it was passed in July 1923.

Corfu Incident

Aug 29, 1923

In August 1923, an Italian general was murdered on Greek soil, and Mussolini demanded that Greece pay Italy 50 mill lire and make apology.But Greece refused to pay, consequently Mussolini ordered Italian marines to invade Greek island of Corfu. Greece payed and Mussolini seen as hero.
This incident was significant as it helped Mussolini gain most voted in election, after the Acerbo Law was passed.

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

Giacomo Matteotti, a socialist who disapproved of fascist violence, was murdered in June 1924. Many assumed Duminis fascist thugs did it, and distanced themselves from Mussolini. This weakened his power, so he ordered the arrest of Duminis gang. Although found guilty, newspapers printed Mussolini's involvement and the Aventine Secession demanded the king to dismiss him. King refused, the Pope was on his side, and many feared change in governemnt.

Aventine Secession

Jun 27, 1924

the withdrawal by some 150 left and centre deputies from the Italian Chamber of Deputies in June 1924 to show their opposition to Fascism and Mussolini. They claimed they were true and democratic representatives of the Italian people.The opposition failed, not able to pursuade public opinion against crimes of fascist rule. Shows how effective Mussolini's rule in Italy is. He was able to block their return to the chamber in 1926

Battle for Grain

1925

Mussolini wanted to make Italy economically
self-sufficient in food and in raw materials for industry. In response to poor harvests, and increase in grain imports, he launched Battle for Grain in 1925. Goal was to get Italian farmers to grow more grain and make Italy not dependent on imports. Cereal production almost doubled by 1939 (Italy self-sufficient in wheat) but involved misallocation of resources which resulted importing olive oil.

Locarto Treaty signed

Dec 1, 1925

The Locarno Treaty was an agreement signed on 1st December 1925 between Britain, France, Belgium, Italy and Germany. Its goal was to secure borders of the nations of Europe after WW1 and to make sure Germany didnt go to war. Mussolini joined the Locarno negotiation on the final day, significant because represented Italy.

Battle for Land and Battle for Lira

1926

Battle for Land-1926 an attempt to increase farmland, marshes and swamps were drained, and it reclaimed one area ((the Pontine Marshes).
Battle for Lira- (18 Aug 1926) to restore value of lire abroad (and thus help stop internal price rises), and to increase Italian prestige, when value of currency dropped. This allowed Italy to continue importing coal and iron for armaments and shipbuilding. However it resulted in decrease of exports and unemployment-began a recession in Italy.

Battle for Births

1927

Launched 1927 to increase Italian population to create a large future army that would help expand Italy’s empire. Fascists encouraged early marriage, offered maternity benefits, exempt work for women, gave jobs to married fathers, and no taxes if family of 6 or more kids. However, many women kept their job positions from before 1922, and births declines. Many men served in army so women took their jobs at home.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed

Aug 27, 1928

After WW1 and the devastating consequences, politicians and diplomats took measure to prevent further conflicts. Consequently, League of Nations was created and in 1928 the Kellogg-Briand Pact. It was signed on Aug 27 by Germany, France, and the United States and most other nations soon after. , and prohibited war, except wars of self defense. It proved ineffective as it failed to establish enforcement and made no immediate contribution to international peace.

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Jun 7, 1929

Negotiations: government accepted papal control over Vatican City and the papacy recognized the state of Italy, with Rome as capital. Also Roman Catholicism official state religion and incorporated in schools, no divorce, bishops could appoint and dismiss those who ignored religious instruction in schools. Significant because this ended conflict between state and papacy since 1870

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

an agreement between Britain, France, and Italy to work together against Germany. Triggered by Germany announcing air force of 500k men and conscription in March.The aim was to reaffirm Locarno treaties and agree to resist future attempt by Germans to change Treaty of Versailles. Resulted in failure because no information on how aims should be upheld and ignored references to Germany bc Britain did not want to antagonize Hitler.

Abyssinian Crisis

Oct 3, 1935

Cause: a dispute between Italian and Abyssinian forces in the Wal-Wal oasis. Mussolini used this as reason to invade Abyssinia in 1935.Perspective: wanted to recreate the Roman Empire and Abyssinia had raw materials and located next to Eritrea, part of Italy control.
The League declared that in the Wal-Wal crisis no one was to blame and Italy given some of Abyssinia. Mussolini didn’t agree and in October 1935, his armies invaded Abyssinia. May 1936, part of Italian empire.

Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War

1936

November 28- Italy signed a secret treaty with the Spanish Nationalists. In return for military aid, the Nationalist agreed to allow Italy to establish bases in Spain if there was a war with France. Over the next three months Mussolini sent to Spain 130 aircraft, 2,500 tons of bombs, 500 cannons,12,000 machine-guns, 50 whippet tanks, 3,800 motor vehicles, and in December, black shirt members. Significant bc Italian aid to nationalists played a major role in their victory.

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed

Oct 25, 1936

Coalition formed between Italy and Germany on October 25, 1936, which informally linked the two fascist countries. Mussolini and Hitler set up the agreement, which they concluded that in the event of a war, they would support each other.Japan later joined the Rome-Berlin Axis.

Munich Conference

Sep 28, 1938

Conference held in Munich in September 1938, where leaders of Great Britain, France, and Italy agreed to allow Germany to annex areas of Czechoslovakia. This resulted from Hitler demanding Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. British Prime minister tried to make him back out, but Hitler refused and demanded more. To appease him and in hope that he wouldnt demand more, leaders (and Mussolini) met in Munich w Hitler. But Hitler dismembered rest of Czechoslovakia 5 months later.

Italy invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

Because of King Zog's oppression of fascists in Albania, Mussolini decided to invade Albania and put Italy in the news.On 25 Mar 1939, Mussolini delivered an ultimatum to the Albanian capital of Tiranë, demanding Albanian to subject to Italian annexation. Albanian resistance was ineffective as the King and his family fled. April 12, Albanian parliament voted to unite the country with Italy and Italians set up a fascist government and soon absorbed Albania's military into Italy's.

Italy enters WW II on side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

June 1940, Mussolini announced decision to join Germanys side, contrary to foreign ministers, Galeazzo Ciano.

Mussolini brought down by coup during WW I

1943

Mussolini pulled off a coup d’etat in which he ended Italian democracy in favor of a personal dictatorship. During WW2, as Italian situation worsened King Victor Emmanuel removed Mussolini from power in 1943.

Mussolini killed

Apr 28, 1945

While Mussolini attempted to escape to Switzerland he was caught and arrested by communist partisans. He was executed on April 28, 1945. The body was brought to Milan, where it was hung upside down in public alongside other leading Fascists to prove to the Italian people that Mussolini was dead.