Timeline for Mussolini and Fascist Italy

Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy

1870

The out-break of the Franco-Russian war prompted King Victor Emanuel II to take over Rome, which he wanted to conquer peacefully at first, but then sent troops and declared war in order to push the papacy out of Rome. This picture depicts the Catholics who attempted to defend Rome from Italian troops.

Formation of an independent Italy

1871

Also known as the Risorgimento, this event resulted in the geographical unification of Italy into one single state, known as the kingdom of Italy. This was progressed by intense protests starting in 1848 that eventually led to a single Italian state with Rome as the capital. This photo shows the unified Italy geography after this event.

Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)

1896

Italians intended to surprise attack the Ethiopian army in the early morning in the city of Adowa with a battalion of 17,000, but the Ethiopians ended up retaliating before they could even attack - with an army of 120,000. This photo shows Italian prisoners being held by the Ethiopian army during this war.

Italy invades and takes over Libya

Sep 26, 1911

The Italian army invaded and conquered the Turkish province of Libya, which began the Italo-Turkish War and later ended in the creation of the Italian Tripolitania and Cyrenaica in those regions. This picture displays the Italian perspective of the take over, showing a peaceful unity, which was far from the case.

Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

1912

Mussolini was a socialist before becoming a fascist, which prompted him to start writing for the socialist newspaper Avanti! in order to pursue his socialist ideas, being that he wanted to become politically involved like his parents were. Pictured is an image of a newspaper released by this news source involving Mussolini’s switch to fascism.

Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI

1914

While preaching socialist ideas, he actually expressed his support for WWI, which did not go over well with the socialist party, especially Avanti!. He was fired from his job and expelled from the socialist party for his support for the war. This picture shows Mussolini preaching to a crowd, showing his continuing want to become a radical politician.

Treaty of London

Apr 26, 1915

This treaty officially switched the position of Italy during WWI from the side of the Central Powers (Germany & Austria-Hungary) to the Triple Entente (Great Britain & France) due to promise of great gains for Italy from A-H territories. This image shows what was promised to Italy when initially signing this treaty.

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

1919

Also known as “The Two Red Years”, these protests and advocacies were in spite of economic tensions and political instability due to the Great War’s effect on Italy. This also helped increase people’s want for change, which increased their participation in politics. This image shows a gathering of Italians during a protest during these years.

Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

Also known as the first organized Fascist meeting, this group was led by Mussolini in Milan and aimed to form a large group of Italians with strong Nationalist and Republican ideals to radicalize Italy. This image is the official symbol of the fascists, created during the meeting.

D’Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 2, 1919

Gabriele D’Annunzio invaded Fiume in protest of the conclusion of the war, being that he was disgusted at the agreements that the Great Powers had given Italy, which began an era of Italian showman politics. This image depicts a group of soldiers preparing to invade the city, led by D’Annunzio.

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti

1921

Mussolini feared Giovanni Giolitti as the only person who could jeopardize his rise to power, which was the reason why Mussolini wanted to make accommodations with him, to ease tensions. Giolitti was worried of domestic tension, which led him to make an alliance in order to calm Italians. The following picture is an image of Giolitti.

Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader

Nov 9, 1921

Led by Mussolini, the PNF was a continuation of the Fascio di Combattimento formed in 1919. They continued to pursue a fascist narrative across Italy and gained control politically in 1922. The image is the official symbol of the fascist party, similar to a flag.

March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

Oct 29, 1922

The march on Rome was a fascist event in attempt to take over the liberal government and turn it fascist. In the end, the king appointed Mussolini as the Prime Minister. The image shows the fascists on their march.

Acerbo Law passed

1923

The Acerbo Law was one that granted the winner of an election - with a majority vote - ⅔ of the seats in parliament. This heavily benefitted the party of Mussolini, who had been gathering a great amount of support at the time. This was created by Giacomo Acerbo, pictured in the image.

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

This dispute between Greece and Italy began when an Italian general and other Italians were killed around Greece and they were blamed for it. This led to a naval attack on Greece. The picture shows the Italian ships.

Aventine Secession

1924

To boycott the parliament, the public created a separate assembly led by Giovanni Amendola that could counter the one by Mussolini. To Mussolini’s defense was the king and priest, deeming it unconstitutional behavior. The image displays the death of Matteotti, which was the event that led to the Aventine Secession.

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

This crisis was in regards to the assassination of Giacomo Matteotti, when Mussolini had blame pinned on him for this incident. Ultimately, Mussolini had revealed the people who had killed him, despite the fact that they were under his wing. This had led to the confusion and debate of whether or not Mussolini had any involvement in the incident. The picture was a resulting political cartoon made from Mussolini’s response to the situation.

Battle for Grain

1925

This was an economic policy that aimed to boost cereal production and reduce the deficit of trade. Italy had recognized the lack of economic improvement and set multiple policies in order to begin. The picture shows propaganda that was meant to inspire people to support the policy.

Locarno Treaty signed

Dec 1, 1925

This treaty aimed to initiate Germany into the League of Nations and solidify the borders of Europe. The image shows the signers of the Locarno Treaty.

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

1926

These two policies were put in place when working on the stability and strength of Italy’s economy and government. In order to expand the Battle for Grain, the Battle of Land aimed to clear land to make space. The Battle of Lire worked on the strength and production of their currency to appear like a stronger nation to other nations. This is an image of Italian Lira.

Battle for Births

1927

This policy encouraged reproduction and denied contraception and abortion. It essentially rewarded families that had more children, such as canceling loans or reducing tax rates. Ultimately, this policy in comparison to the three other policies was not as successful. The image is a large Italian family that may have benefitted from these ideas.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed

Aug 27, 1928

An agreement which outlawed war, in effort to prevent another world war. However, it had little effect in stopping the rising militarism which eventually lead to the outbreak of world war II. This is significant as it was one of many precautions to prevent another world war which all failed. This is a photo of the meeting.

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Jun 7, 1929

Between the Vatican and Italy, this treaty recognized the independence of Italy and seeing it as its own state. Furthermore, Italy gave financial compensation to the Pope. The image shows the two delegations of the Treaty.

Abyssinian Crisis

Dec 5, 1934

A diplomatic crisis between Italy and Abyssia over Italy’s policy of aggression towards Ethiopia (Abyssia). The League of Nations failure to act reflected poorly on its strength which encouraged Fascist Italy under Mussolini to align itself with Nazi Germany. This map depicts Italy’s strategic motion through Abyssinia.

Stresa Front

Apr 13, 1935

The Stresa front was an agreement between Italy, France and Britain with the goal of punishing Germany for failing to abide by the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles, however the agreement did not last long enough to be effective. This is a photo from the meeting, of leaders from said countries.

Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War

1936

To gain a locational advantage over France, Mussolini promised to support the Spanish nationals in the event of a civil war, in exchange for ability to hold military bases within Spain given the revolution was successful. Following the outbreak of the war, Mussolini failed to meet his generous expectations of support, but still provided some help.

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed

Oct 25, 1936

A pact between Italy and Germany, securing an alliance between the two fascist nations. This agreement would later grow to include Japan. This is significant because this alliance was one of the two sides of the impending World War 2.

Munich Conference

Sep 29, 1938

A meeting between Hitler, Mussolini and Chamberlain to discuss the annexation of the Sudetenland. While the Sudetenland was in Czechoslovakia, no Czech representatives were invited to the meeting. This photo is of the representatives present at the conference.

Italy invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

After feeling that Hitler was ‘upstaging him’ Mussolini decided to put Italy back in the headlines by launching an Invasion on Albania. Mussolini used ‘oppression of fascists’ in Albania as an excuse for aggression. This photo is of the Italian forces marching into Albania under the directive of Mussolini.

Italy enters WW II on side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

While Italy was unprepared for war when Hitler began the invasion of Poland, however the pact of steel between Hitler and Mussolini forced Italy to join the war. Italy’s joining of the war was significant because they were the first to join what would eventually become World War 2. This photo is propaganda to promote Italy’s entrance into WWII.

Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII

Jul 25, 1943

After a vote by the grand council of fascist, Benito Mussolini and arrested upon leaving the meeting. According to the council Mussolini was sick, tired and looking for a way out of power. News of Mussolini’s arrest was made public and there was a general relief among Italy. This photo is of Mussolini shortly after his removal from power.

Mussolini killed

Apr 28, 1945

After years as the figurehead of a German established, puppet Italian government, 61 year old Benito Mussolini and his Mistress are caught attempting to flee Switzerland. Mussolini is shot and later hung by his feet in the center of Milan, displayed publicly. This is significant because the public display was alarming to Mussolini’s protégé as the world was shown how fascists are treated. This photo is of Mussolini (among others) being hung by his feet in the center of Milan.