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Formation of an independent Italy
Italy gained its independence during the Risorgimento nationalist movement which was a major cause of the unification of Italy. This photo is relevant because it's a picture of a map of Italy in 1915 which is after Italy had already gained its independence. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
The Papal States were territories in central Italy that were directly governed by the Papacy which is the office of the Pope. Italy annexed Rome after France had already removed their troops and resources. The Papal States made the challenge of unifying Italy more complicated because they divided Italy into those who followed the Pope and those who didn't. The photo is a map of where the Papal State originally had control. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
Italy strived to control Ethiopia due to conflict with the Treaty of Wuchale but Ethiopia’s military claimed victory. This event was historically significant because it showed Ethiopia's strength in being the only African nation to successfully refute European colonization through force. The picture signifies the conflict between both the Italians and Ethiopians -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italy invades Libya in hopes of expanding its empire and successfully colonized Libya. This event is significant because while in Libya Italy built things like railways, ports, and buildings which significantly boosted Libya’s economy. The photo is a map of Librya. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini became newspaper editor for the Socialist Party near the beginning of his rule. This was significant because Mussolini used his platform to publish propaganda about the Socialist Party so they would lose support. This photo is an example of what type of articles was posted in the Avanti. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
Mussolini was quickly removed from being editor of the Socialist Party due to publicly going against the Socialist Party by showing support for Italy going to war and criticizing Socialism. This is significant because it shows that even though Mussolini didn’t have control over all of Italy he was still a threat to those who had power. The photo shows an article of Mussolini being kicked from the Socialist Party. -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London was a secret Treaty Italy made with the allies during World War I that promised Italy land and money for fighting with them. The contents of this treaty were significant because Italy had suffered great losses during the war and this land was meant to be their reward but they didn’t receive most of what they were promised in the treaty. This image shows some of the territory that Italy was promised in the treaty. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
The Biennio Rosso as known also the two Red years was when the middle-class workers rioted due to humiliation in WWI and working conditions. This led to the slow takeover of Fascism in Italy. This photo shows some of the everyday people involved in this event. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
The Fascio di Combattimento was founded by Mussolini and was an ultranationalist organization. The intention was to bring together nationalists, socialists, and combine left- and right-wing demands. This organization was united by the hatred toward the liberal state, which in their perspective had failed them. The Fascio di Combattimento was significant as it brought together opposition toward a liberal state and allowed Mussolini to rise in power. This is a photo of the blackshirts. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Gabriele D’Annunzio, who was an ultra-nationalist that coined the term ‘mutilated victory’, was popular amongst the Italians. He led 2000 armed men to Fiume, an area that Italy desired rule of but did not obtain from the peace treaties. He ruled the city for the next 15 months. This was significant because he was seen as a hero in the perspective of Italian nationalists, which was inspirational to Mussolini.
This photo shows D’Annunzio and his supporters in Fiume. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini, in private, told Giolitti that fascist revolution would not seriously occur, and this in turn led to Giolitti giving the fascists an electoral alliance. Elections were held in May 1921 and resulted in the Fascists gaining 7% of the vote and 35 seats. This was significant as it allowed fascists to have positions in parliament and an image of respectability as they had influence over national politics. This provided a gateway for Mussolini in rising into power. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
Mussolini persuaded the Fasci di Combattimento to make a political party, the Partito Nazionale Fascista (PNF). Then, he convinced them to appoint him as leader. This was significant because Mussolini became the leader of an organized and united political party. He was also able to let go of more left-wing elements which helped increased fascist support among the conservatives. This picture is a symbol of the PNF, their logo. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
Fascist squads obtained control over town halls and railway stations and telephone lines across Italy. The king appointed Mussolini as prime minister. This was significant because it marked the beginning of fascist rule and led to Mussolini’s rise seizure of power. Picture from the March on Rome, showing people marching in. This shows the blackshirts because they were the ones who wanted a coup. -
Acerbo Law passed
Acerbo law was an electoral law that gave party or alliance that won most votes two-thirds of seats in parliament. This was significant because it provided the fascists an opportunity to completely take over the Italian government. The fascists ended up gaining majority, contributing significantly to Mussolini’s rise in power. -
Corfu Incident
Italian general was murdered in Greece, so Mussolini took advantage of this and demanded that Greece pay 50 million lire to compensate for this and make a full apology. Greece refused, so Mussolini invaded the Greek island of Corfu, resulting in Greece paying the fine. As a result of this, Mussolini was regarded as a national hero and this was significant as it helped with his election results. -
Matteotti Crisis
Giacomo Matteotti condemned fascist violence and was murdered, which caused people to distance from the regime controlled by Mussolini. This led to the Aventine Secession, which was intended to force king to dismiss Mussolini, which was ignored by the king. This was significant as it put pressure on Mussolini as his popularity declined. -
Aventine Secession
150 left and center deputies withdrew from the Italian Chamber of Deputies to show their opposition to Mussolini’s Rule. They attempted to restore Parliamentary government to Italy by persuading Victor Emmanuel III to call new elections but failed to maintain public opinion against Mussolini. This photo shows socialists going to identify Matteotti’s body, showing how the crisis led to an increased opposition against Mussolini and caused the secession. -
Battle for Grain
A campaign launched by Mussolini in attempt to reduce Italy’s dependence on foreign imports by encouraging farmers to grow more cereals. This is significant as it succeeded in making Italy self-sufficient in wheat but the misallocation of resources caused Italy’s exports in fruit and wine to drop. This photo shows a family and their wheat field during 1925. -
Locarno Treaty signed
Treaty in which Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain, and Italy agreed to maintain peace in Western Europe. Under its terms, if one country violated another’s borders, neutral countries could enforce them militarily and Rhineland was demilitarized. This is significant as it improved relations between European nations up until 1930. This photo shows German, British, and French representatives during the treaty’s negotiations. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
The Battle for Land was a campaign aimed to increase farmland by draining marshes and swamps. This allowed for the establishment of small farms and is significant as it created jobs for the unemployed. The Battle for the Lira artificially raised the value for lira and is significant as it led to increased unemployment through declining exports. This photo shows Mussolini helping drain the marshes and swamps, showing his determination towards the Battle for Land. -
Battle for Births
Launched in an attempt to increase the Italian population so that a large army could be created in the future and expand Italy’s empire. Women were encouraged to marry early, not work, and more in order to do so. This is significant as it portrayed fascist attitudes towards women through their encouragement of traditional women roles.This photo shows Mussolini’s family which set an example during the Battle for Births. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
The Kellogg-Brian Treaty was an agreement signed by 62 nations to outlaw war and made to prevent another World War. Its significant as it proved ineffective since it had no means of enforcement. This photo shows the US Secretary of State, Frank B. Kellogg, signing the pact. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
The Lateran Treaty ended the conflict between the papacy and Italian state. The government accepted papal sovereignty over Vatican City and the pope recognized the Italian state in return. This is significant as it shows catholic support towards Mussolini. This photo displays Mussolini and the pope signing the Lateran treaty. -
Abyssinian Crisis
In 1935, dealing with the conflict between Italy and Ethiopia, Mussolini then marched troops into invade Somalia there.provides a further issue of consequence as Italy would yet again be entering war with lower food, angering the people more. -
Stresa Front
An agreement between France, Great Britain, and Italy which aimed to reaffirm the Locarno Treaty and propose measures to counter Hitler’s rearmament of Germany. It was ineffective due to the Anglo-German Naval agreement which allowed Hitler to enlarge his army and Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia. This is significant as it was an opportunity to prevent the progression of Hitler’s actions, but failed. This political cartoon represents the weaknesses in the Stresa front which led to its failure. -
Italian involvement with the Spanish Civil War
This picture comes from 1936, where soldiers are seen storming to put down the opposition, and is significant to show Mussolini’s use of force to stay in power after taking over the government in 1925. Being a key factor of using fear in staying in power ( propaganda) in ‘ restoring Italy to its former glory -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
Was a defense treaty with Germany and Italy, stating the if either were to get into war, one would assist the other. Photo is significant as it represents what really happened due to Italy signing the pact with Germany, shortly after when Germany and Italy entered WWII, the Germans demanded that Italy give them food, supplies and shelter, inadvertently causing food shortage and was a consequence to Mussolini’s power due to unhappy citizens and more thought of over- throwing him shortly in 1938. -
Munich Conference
Was an agreement settled between Germany, Great Britain and France, declaring that czechoslovakia had to border germany and Germany could occupy it between October 1- 10 of 1938. Map showing the newer agreement due to the Munich Conference -
Italy invades Albania
Italy invaded Albania on April 7 lasting till april 13th of 1939
Took over Albania . Caused the Italian empire to expand exponentially, Photo is significant due to the mass amount of expansion that Italy received due to the invasion and caused Italy to be seen as ‘ larger’ and could be potentially used by Mussolini as a maintenance of power in ‘ restoring Italy to its former glory’ -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
July 25, 1943 Mussolini was brought before the council and was taken out of power shortly after. A cause for this would be Italy’s lack of performance in WWII due to lack of food and losing the war in their favor.Photo is significant as it shows the anger of the people wanting to drive mussolini out of power,with support from the posters above -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
Germany too 50% of the workforce away from germany due to the ‘ Rome, Berlin Access’ . Rationing of food that Italy sent out to Germany, caused shortage. Lost territory in Libya. Entered WWII in 1940. Photo is significant as it shows the root Cause of Mussolini’s downfall during WWII, Caused by the ‘ Rome Berlin access’ pact between Germany and Italy, suffering not only the Italian people but Mussolini’s power as he soon become unfavorable and soon after was overthrown -
Mussolini killed
Arrested and killed on April 1945. Was trying to flee with the Germans after defeat but was spotted and killed by communist partisans ( communitst believers).This was caused by the building anger of the attacks of the allies on Rome, the people soon grew tried of Mussolini and decided to exile him. Consequently wanted a communism style of government instead.