Timeline for Mussolini and Fascist Italy

Formation of an Independent Italy

Mar 17, 1861

The flag stands for Italy's birth as a unified, independent nation

Papal States Taken Over by Italy

Sep 20, 1870

Represents the Church losing political power to the Italian monarchy.

Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War – Battle of Adowa

Mar 1, 1896

A broken sword shows Italy’s military humiliation by Ethiopia.

Italy Invades and Takes Over Libya

Sep 29, 1911

The boot (Italy) stepping on Africa shows colonial expansion

Mussolini Becomes Editor of Avanti

Dec 1, 1912

Symbolizes Mussolini’s role shaping political thought with socialist journalism.

Mussolini Kicked Out of Socialist Party

Oct 1, 1914

A fork in the road shows Mussolini leaving socialism and veering toward fascism.

Treaty of London Signed

Apr 26, 1915

Represents Italy's sneaky wartime alliance switch for promised land

Beginning of the Biennio Rosso

Mar 1, 1919

Red fist stands for worker strikes and communist uprisings

Fascio di Combattimento Formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

Fasces = bundle of power, origin of “fascism

D’Annunzio Takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1919

Honors D’Annunzio’s violent nationalism and death cult

Mussolini Forms Alliance with Giolitti

May 1, 1921

Represents political strategy and manipulation

Mussolini Forms the PNF

Nov 9, 1921

Represents fascist power and authoritarian strength

March on Rome – Mussolini Becomes Prime Minister

Oct 28, 1922

The boot stomping shows the fascist takeover by force

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

Shows Italy using military aggression for diplomatic gain

Acerbo Law Passed

Nov 18, 1923

Tipped scale symbolizes unfair election laws favoring fascists

Aventine Secession

Jun 1, 1924

Empty chairs show opposition leaders walking out of Parliament

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

Dead face represents Mussolini silencing opposition by force.

Battle for Grain

Jan 1, 1925

Shows the push for self-sufficiency in food as a nationalistic campaign

Locarno Treaty Signed

Dec 1, 1925

Peace dove with handcuffs symbolizes forced diplomacy

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

Jan 1, 1926

The plow = land reclamation, the coin = currency revaluation for prestige.

Battle for Births

Jan 1, 1927

Represents Mussolini's goal of turning babies into future soldiers.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed

Aug 27, 1928

Represents the idealistic promise to renounce war — even if ignored later.

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Feb 11, 1929

Symbolizes Church and State finally making peace.

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

The shields show Italy, Britain, and France forming a fragile anti-Hitler alliance.

Abyssinian Crisis

Oct 3, 1935

Shows Italy crushing Ethiopia (symbolized by the elephant) during invasion.

Italian Involvement in Spanish Civil War

Jul 1, 1936

Represents death during Spain's civil war.

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty Signed

Oct 25, 1936

Gears show Italy and Germany connecting as fascist powers.

Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

Shows the weak peace deal between powers that allowed fascist expansion.

Italy Invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

The lion = Italy; the lamb = Albania. Symbolizes brutal takeover

Italy Enters WWII on Side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

Represents Italy allying with Nazi Germany and joining WWII.

Mussolini Brought Down by Coup

Jul 25, 1943

The shattered crown represents Mussolini’s fall from power

Mussolini Killed

Apr 28, 1945

The gun shows Mussolini’s violent execution by Italian partisans