Mussolini Timeline (note: for the events which did not have a specific date, but rather a general month it occurred in, the day number is set to 1)
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Formation of an Independent Italy
Three wars for independence against Austria. Although unified under one king, Italy was still divided in many ways In orange is the new Italian state after becoming independent in 1861. The purple is the land that the Papacy still has its influence over, which is essentially just the city of Rome -
Papal States taken over by the new nation of Italy
The new Italian state was not supported by the Papacy, and the state deprived the Papacy of all its territory except for Rome. During the Franco-Prussian war, France withdrew from Rome in 1870, and thus joined Italy The darker orange is the Papal States that were annexed during the unification of Italy in 1862, while the lighter orange is the Papal States that was annexed later in 1870 -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
Abyssinia signed a treaty with Italy, but Italy’s conquest of Eritrea led the Abyssinians to oppose Italian interference. Italy occupied the province of Tigre in Abyssinia, but the Italians were defeated in the battle of Adwa. This was seen as a national humiliation by the Italians Ethiopian forces, assisted by St. George (top), wins the battle against the Italians -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italy invaded Libya (a Turkist colony at the time) in an attempt to expand the Italian empire and block French influence, but they accepted their loss in the following year Italian soldiers looking at corpses of dead Libyan and Turk defenders -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini’s article called for absolute neutrality and opposed Italian intervention into World War I Meaning “Forward!”, it is a daily newspaper that was aligned with Socialist ideas -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
Mussolini called for neutrality, but had sympathy for France, and so he was kicked out. Afterwards, he began to take political positions that were anything but Socialist A cartoon made by Giuseppe Scalarini, which shows Mussolini with a dagger approaching to stab Christ (representing the Socialists) in the back -
Treaty of London
Italy signed with the Triple Entente, where Italy promised to go to war on the side of the Allies, on the condition that Italy gains certain parts of land The sections in black are the pieces of land that was agreed to be given to Italy at the end of the war -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Meaning the ‘two red years’. Unemployment rose significantly in 1919, and so industrial workers began to take militant actions, where strikes, as well as factory and land occupations took place Many veterans couldn’t find jobs after World War I, causing a crisis of employment in factories and fields -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
After Mussolini denounced socialism, he formed the Fascio di Combattimento (Fascist Combat Group) in milan. This group aimed to appeal to as wide of an audience as possible, unifying them under a common opposition to socialists and liberals, rather than a common ideology. This photo shows how the group attempted to appeal to various groups of people, as seen through the presence of young and old men, as well as women, and veterans, within this photo. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
D’Annunzio (an ultranationalist) led 2000 armed men into Fiume, and took over the city, maintaining control over it for 15 months.This event was a large inspiration to Mussionli, specifically in terms of the aesthetics and theatrics they possessed (black shirts, roman salutes, ect.). This photo shows D’Annunzio and his men in Fiume, and displays the theatrics they employed. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini and Giolitti joined forces to form the National Bloc electoral alliance, which led to the election of 35 different fascists. This symbol represents the National Bloc party, and the way in which it unified different right-wing groups. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
After signing the Pact of Pacification (which was a peace deal with moderate socialists), Mussolini left the Fascist general committee, as an act against the ras. He then persuaded the Fascio di Combattmiento to re-organise into a political party, thus creating the PNF. This photo depicts members of the PNF marching through the streets. Note the Black Shirts that are present. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
Due to pressure from the ras, and a desire to intimidate the liberal government, Mussolini organized a march on rome.Local squads seized control of major towns, cities, town halls, and railway stations, ultimately leading to the resignation of the previous prime minister, Facta, and the King’s appointment of mussolini as the new prime minister. This photo shows Mussolini among the Black Shirts that were integral in carrying out the march on rome. -
Acerbo Law passed
The Acerbo law was a law that proposed that the party that won the most votes received ⅔ of seats in parliament, allowing such a party to become politically dominant. Mussolini used force to ensure that the law was passed. Featured in this photo is Giacomo Acerbo, of whom proposed the Acerbo Law. Some historians believed he was forced to do so by Mussolini. -
Corfu Incident
After an Italian general was murdered in Greece, Mussolini demanded that they pay 50 million lire in reparations. After Greece refused to do so, Mussolini ordered the navy to invade Corfu, forcing them to pay, and making Mussolini appear as a public hero. Pictured on this map is Corfu. The italian navy was sent to invade this island. -
Aventine Secession
Following the Matteotti Crisis, opposition deputies to Mussolini (mostly Socialists, Communists, and Popolari) left to boycott Parliament and Mussolini. They wanted the king to dismiss Mussolini, but the king refused. The picture represents how the Deputies who boycotted parliament tried to emulate the similar strategy used in Ancient Rome. -
Matteotti Crisis
After speaking out against the fascist party within parliament, leader of the socialist party Giacomo Matteotti was abducted and murdered, presumably by fascists. This event caused many to become disgusted by the fascist party and their methods. This political comic shows how Mussolini “sat on” the matteotti crisis, partially accepting that it occurred due to his influence, and using this to threaten his political enemies. -
Battle for Grain
It was a campaign launched in response to a poor harvest and consequent increase in grain Imports. It aimed to get Farmers to grow more cereals, to reduce reliance on foreign imports. Tactics included important roles and plowing more land The propaganda picture of Mussolini shows how significantly he pushed the Battle for Grain within Italy. -
Locarno Treaty signed
Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, and Italy mutually guaranteed peace in Western Europe. Mussolini was Italy's representative. Italy became a guarantor of the main treaty, the “Rhineland Pact”. The picture of the political cartoon underlines how the Locarno Treaty signers were not as dedicated to peace as they had seen -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
Battle for Land attempted to increase available farmland by draining marshes and swamps, creating land and work. Battle for the Lira revalue the Lira to restore its value abroad, help stop internal price rises, and increase prestige The picture shows how propaganda was one of the tools Mussolini used to attempt to increase support for the Battles (in this case, the Battle for Land) -
Battle for Births
It aimed to increase the Italian population to create a large future army to expand the Empire. The tactics downgraded women, stressed the traditional housewife and mother roles, and caused a downturn in employment opportunities for women. The picture exemplifies how one of the ways Mussolini tried to encourage women to take part in the Battle for Births was by awarding them medals for being mothers -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
Italy and 61 other nations agreed to outlaw war in an effort to prevent another World War. It had two clauses: one outlawed war as a tool of national policy, the other told signatories to settle disputes by peaceful means. The picture exemplifies the significant number of signatories of the Treaty, suggesting many countries (including Italy) wanted to make an effort to prevent further war. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
Following secret negotiations with Cardinal Gasparri, 3 treaties were made to end the conflict and bitterness between the papacy and the Italian state. For example, the pope got sovereignty over Vatican City but recognized the Italian state. The picture of the newspaper exemplifies how Mussolini was able to make peace with the papacy using the treaty. -
Abyssinian Crisis
Diplomatic crisis that occurred on December 5, 1934 to 1937 over Italy’s policy of aggression against Ethiopia. Both Ethiopia and Italy pursued a policy of provocation against each other. News article of events over Assybian crisis, and Italian bombing raid -
Stresa Front
Concerned about Germany, the countries of Britain, France, and Italy formed an alliance. It aimed to reiterate the terms of the Locarno treaties, maintain Austrian independence, and prevent attempts to disregard the Treaty of Versailles. The picture of the political cartoon exemplifies how concern over Germany under Hitler united Britain, France, and Italy. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
July 29, 1936. The Italian military intervention in Spain took place during the Spanish Civil War in order to support the nationalist cause against the Second Spanish Republic. It was a successful Republican poster, reading "The claw of the Italian invader intends to enslave us." -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
Roman-Berlin Axis coalition formed on October 25, 1936 between Italy and Germany. An agreement formulated by Italy's foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano informally linking the two fascist countries. It was formalized by the Pact of Steel in 1939. It included Japan later as well. Adolf Hitler finds an ally in the Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
Italy joined Germany during WWII 1937-1940, joining in different pacts such as Anti-Comintern or Tripartite Pact. Italy with different leaders and alliances during this time -
Munich Conference
The Munich Agreement took place and was concluded in Munich on September 30, 1938. By Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy. These nations of The agreement permitting Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland, or Czechoslovakia. Nations during the Munich Agreement: Italian leader Benito Mussolini, German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, a German interpreter, and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain meeting in Munich, September 29, 1938. -
Italy invades Albania
April 7, 1939-April 12 1939. Italy invasion of Albania. It was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against Albanian Kingdom. It resulted in imperialist policies by Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Italian forces in Albania during invasion -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
July 25, 1943 Mussolini was voted out of power by the Grand Council and arrested. It came as a result of plots led by Grandi and Victor Emmanuel III, and a new government was established. This photo shows Mussolini before he was overthrown. -
Mussolini killed
Benito Mussolini was killed on April 28, 1945 and was executed by Italian partisan in a small village in northern Italy. Mussolini was shot by Walter Audisio. The identity of his killer and his death has been a controversial subject in Italy, however. Picture of Mussolini when he was in power