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Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
The photo of world leaders, including Mussolini, signing the Kellogg-Briand Pact clearly represents international cooperation to renounce war after WWI. This visual captures the hopeful but ultimately unrealistic goal of outlawing war. It also visually highlights Mussolini’s role on the global diplomatic stage before his shift toward aggression (inspired by Hitler). -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
This image shows Mussolini sitting with the Pope Pius X during the signing of the Lateran Treaty. This treaty ended the long-standing conflict between the Italian state and the Catholic Church. It effectively captures the formal and symbolic moment when Mussolini reunited with the Catholic Church. Seeing him seated with the Pope and other officials, there is an emphasis on the treaty's importance in legitimizing Fascist rule in the eyes of religious Italians, strengthening his power in Italy. -
Stresa Front
The image of the three leaders – Mussolini, Britain’s MacDonald, and France’s Laval – sitting together effectively represents the temporary unity of Britain, France, and Italy against German rearmament. It shows the diplomatic efforts to maintain peace in Europe before they broke apart when Mussolini turned toward German. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
This political cartoon of a hand with the Italian flag grabbing Spain powerfully conveys the perception of Italy as an aggressor in Spain and that Italy supported Franco’s fascists in the Spanish Civil War. The dramatic imagery and nationalist symbolism reflect public fear and opposition to Italian intervention; however, it also highlights Italy’s military interference and the spread of fascism in Europe. -
Abyssinian Crisis
The map showing Italian advances into Abyssinia (Ethiopia) helps visualize the scale and direction of the invasion. It clearly depicts the scale and direction of Mussolini’s invasion in 1935-1936. This illustrates Italy’s imperial ambitions and highlights the failure of the League of Nations to stop [Italy’s] Fascist aggression. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
A photo of Hitler and Mussolini shaking hands visually captures the moment their alliance was solidified thus creating the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936. It highlights the ideological and military partnership that shaped the course of WWII. -
Munich Conference
The photo of the four leaders – Hitler, Mussolini, Chamberlain, and Daladier – sitting together at the Munich Conference illustrates the agreement of 1938 that allowed Nazi Germany to take Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia. Mussolini’s role is represented as a supposed ‘peacemaker.’ However, this decision ultimately encouraged for further aggression, allowing Hitler to expand without facing military resistance. -
Italy invades Albania
This map of Italy to Albania clearly depicts Mussolini’s sudden invasion in 1939. This visual helps show the direction and scope of Italy's military action, conveying Mussolini’s imperial ambitions which tried to imitate Nazi Germany’s aggressive foreign policy. -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
A newspaper headline announcing a war declaration (“Germany And Italy Declare War On U.S.”) captures a moment of Italy’s entry into WWII in 1940 and the drama and impact of the moment. It reflects public awareness and the historical significance of Italy’s full commitment to the Axis Powers, their win, as well as Mussolini’s decision to fully align with Hitler. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
The cartoon of a desperate, overweight Mussolini surrounded by sinking ships exaggerates his failure, desperation. It uses sarcasm to represent his power loss. Yet, it still effectively communicates the public reaction and military collapse that led to his downfall. The image shows public and political frustration due to Mussolini’s failed leadership. It symbolizes how Mussolini was overthrown in 1943 after repeated military which lead him to lose the support from both the army and the King. -
Mussolini killed
The image of Mussolini’s and his mistress’s bodies on display after their execution visually symbolizes the fall of Fascism. It represents the violent end of Mussolini’s rule. The image captures the public’s anger and their final rejection of his dictatorship in 1945.