Mussolini

Rise, Consolidation of Power, and Rule of Benito Mussolini

  • Formation of an united Italian nation

    Formation of an united Italian nation
    The Italian nationalist movement succeeds with the creation of a united Italian nation. Victor Emmanuel II alongside his political allies take control of Sicily, Papal states, and Austrian controlled parts of Italy. The photo is a photograph of the italian nationalist movement.
  • Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy

    Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
    Italian forces conquer the Papal states. Due to French assistance France annexed Rome, however, due to the Franco-Prussian War French troops withdraw. The photo is a map of the Papal states before and after the annexation.
  • Mussolini's Birth

    Mussolini's Birth
    Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini born in Predappio, Italy. The photo is of Mussolini as a child.
  • Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa

    Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa
    Following unification of Italy, the Italians got involved in the Scramble for Africa. Italians incited war with Ethiopia, where half of the Ethiopian soldiers had outdated guns. Consequently, Italian government underestimated the capabilities of the local leaders of Ethiopia to raise a retaliating force; ordering a march on the capital. This ill-advised haste caused humiliating Italian defeat. The photo is of Ethiopian military prepared for war.
  • Italy invades and takes over Libya

    Italy invades and takes over Libya
    Italy joins the side of the allies during World War I. In 1911 Italy then invades Libya consequently leading to the creation of the colony of Italian Libia. The photo is an illustration outlining the colonization under Italy toward Libya.
  • Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I

    Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I
    Mussolini supported Italian involvement in World War One. Due to these beliefs, he was expelled from the socialist party, as his counterparts were nationalistic in nature. The photo is Avanti! announcing Mussolini's expulsion from the socialist party.
  • Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Il Popolo d'Italia

    Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Il Popolo d'Italia
    Mussolini began his political career as a Socialist. He began writing newspaper articles for a socialist supporting newspaper, Il Popolo d'Italia. The photo is of Avanti! announcing mussolini's arrival.
  • Treaty of London

    Treaty of London
    The treaty of London was a secret agreement with Italy and the allies: it stated that if Italy had joined in support of the allies they would be rewarded with the territory of what would instead become the coast of Yugoslavia. This broken deal outragedmany Italians, causing more anger with the future allies of World War Two. The photo is of italy and it's promised territories.
  • Beginning of Biennio Rosso

    Beginning of Biennio Rosso
    This was the rise of Italian Socialist forces. The event name translates to the Red Years, this was a time of pro-socialist rioting and class tensions. The photo is of socialists protesters gathered behind the socialist flag.
  • Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

    Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
    A political facsist combat squad led by Mussolini who would attack Socialist or other political opposition groups. These attacks would go unpunished by the police, who disliked the rise of Socialist sentiments.The photo is the logo of the Fascist combat group.
  • Mussolini Forms Alliance With Giolitti

    Mussolini Forms Alliance With Giolitti
    Giolitti And Mussolini formal alliance to help support the efforts of Mussolini. Giolitti does this to make sure that Socialism does not rise and ensures us with violence Mussolini and the fascists get more power because of this. Picture shows Giolitti
  • Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader

    Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
    November 9th 1921. The PNF, A formal political party, is created to help Mussolini in the fascists obtain more power in Italy. This though, went against political beliefs of the fascists because they were working with the present powers in Italy. This harmed Mussolini’s representation. Image shows PNF logo.
  • March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

    March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
    The March on Rome led by Fascist combat groups lasted from October 27, 1922 to October 30, 1922. They advocated for the monarch to have Mussolini as the Prime Minister of Italy. Mussolini didn’t participate because he wanted to be able to escape at the border if it ended bad. Image shows citizens marching on Rome.
  • Acerbo Law Passed

    Acerbo Law Passed
    November 1923, the Acerbo Law gave Mussolini and the Fascists about 66% of the power in Italy over the deputies. Although it was a lot, it still wasn’t enough to have full control, but it was a start. Communists still maintained a decent amount of power. Image shows Giacomo Acerbo, creator of the law.
  • Corfu Incident

    Corfu Incident
    Lasting from August 31, 1923 – September 27, 1923, Italians took control of Greek Island, Corfu. The Italians that created the border were killed. This further delegitimized the League of Nations. Image shows Corfu Island.
  • Matteotti Crisis

    Matteotti Crisis
    In June 1924, The Matteotti crisis occurred, and the fascist combat groups were held responsible. Mussolini gained a significant loss of political support, but still was able to become the dictator of Italy. Image of Matteotti’s funeral.
  • Aventine Secession

    Aventine Secession
    In June 1924, oppositions of the fascist party fought against the fascist combat groups’ violent methods. It gained very minimal attention and nothing really changed in the long run, leaving Mussolini’s reign unaffected and an absolute dictator. Image from the Aventine Secession.
  • Battle for Grain

    Battle for Grain
    1925 The Battle for Grain was an economic campaign that promoted the production of grain. Mussolini wanted to make Italy less dependent on imports. Because of the increase of grain production, other crops were underproduced. This ended up hurting Italy, making them need even more imports than before. Pictures shows farmers selling grain.
  • Locarno Treaty Signed

    Locarno Treaty Signed
    The Locarno Treaty was signed on October 16th, 1925. It was an agreement that would keep the Western Europe borders the same as it was stated in the Treaty of Versailles between France, Britain, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. They though, agreed that the eastern borders could be changed. This would help Nazi Germany and Italy in territorial ambitions.
  • Battle For Births

    Battle For Births
    In 1927, the Battle for Births was an economic battle that further promoted a larger workforce. The battle was a large failure and didn’t work in the long run. Picture shows Mussolini advocating during the Battle for Births.
  • Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

    Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
    In 1928, campaigns were held to make the nation less dependent on foreign nations for resources, food, etc. Italy wanted to make more room for agricultural output, in which they thought the draining of swamps and marshes would do that (battle for land). The battle of Lira was done to improve the nation’s currency. Both were minimal successes. Picture of Mussolini during the Battle of Lira.
  • Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed

    Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
    Kellogg-Briand Pact, also called Pact of Paris, (August 27, 1928), multilateral agreement attempting to eliminate war as an instrument of national policy. It was the most grandiose of a series of peacekeeping efforts after World War I. I chose this picture as it shows everyone involved in the pct coming together to sign it.
  • Lateran Treaty with Pope

    Lateran Treaty with Pope
    The Lateran Treaty of 1929 consisted of three separate agreements: a treaty declaring the Vatican City State to be the pope's neutral and inviolable territory, guaranteeing his political independence; a concordat concerning Church-State relations in Italy; the payment of compensation for lost papal possessions. The treaty ended in Jun 3, 1985. I picked this photo because it shows the treaty being formed.
  • Abyssinian Crisis

    Abyssinian Crisis
    The Abyssinia Crisis was an international crisis in 1935 that originated in what was called the Walwal incident during the ongoing conflict between the Kingdom of Italy and the Empire of Ethiopia. Both Ethiopia and Italy pursued a policy of provocation against each other. I chose this picture because it shows how big the Abyssinian Crisis was.
  • Stresa Front

    Stresa Front
    Stresa Front, coalition of France, Britain, and Italy formed in April 1935 at Stresa, Italy, to oppose Adolf Hitler's announced intention to rearm Germany, which violated the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The Stresa front ended in June 1935. I picked this picture because it shows the soldiers riding into battle for the Stresa front.
  • Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War

    Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
    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. As the conquest of Ethiopia in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War made Italy confident in its power, Benito Mussolini joined the war to expand the Fascist sphere of influence in the Mediterranean. I chose this picture because it shows Italian forces going to get involved in the Spanish Civil War.
  • Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed

    Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
    Rome-Berlin Axis, Coalition formed in 1936 between Italy and Germany. An agreement formulated by Italy's foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano informally linking the two fascist countries was reached on October 25, 1936. It was formalized by the Pact of Steel in 1939. I chose this picture because it shows the formation of the Rome- Berlin Axis and its leader.
  • Munich Conference

    Munich Conference
    The agreement permitting Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland was signed on Sept 29, 1938. From left to right: Chamberlain, Daladier, Hitler, Mussolini, and Ciano pictured before signing the Munich Agreement, which gave the Sudetenland to Germany. I chose this picture as it shows all the people that were involved within the Munich Conference.
  • Italy invades Albania

    Italy invades Albania
    he Italian invasion of Albania (April 7–13, 1939) was a brief military campaign by the Kingdom of Italy against the Albanian Kingdom. The conflict was a result of the imperialist policies of Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. Albania was rapidly overrun, its ruler King Zog I forced into exile in neighbouring Greece, and the country made part of the Italian Empire as a protectorate in personal union with the Italian Crown. I chose this picture because it shows Italy invading Albania.
  • Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II

    Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
    On July 25, 1943, Benito Mussolini, fascist dictator of Italy, is voted out of power by his own Grand Council and arrested upon leaving a meeting with King Vittorio Emanuele, who tells Il Duce that the war is lost. Mussolini responded to it all with an uncharacteristic meekness. I chose this picture because it shows men within the government.
  • Italy enters WW II on side of Germany

    Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
    On October 13, 1943, the government of Italy declares war on its former Axis partner Germany and joins the battle on the side of the Allies. With Mussolini deposed from power and the collapse of the fascist government in July, Gen. I chose this picture because it shows Italian forces working with German forces.
  • Mussolini killed

    Mussolini killed
    Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. The death of Benito Mussolini on April 28, 1945 was characterized “A fitting end to a wretched life,” by The New York Times. This picture shows what Mussolini looks like before he died.