Italy During World War II

Italy During World War II

Period: Jan 1, 1880 to Jan 1, 1950

Italy Allies with Germany and Austria-Hungary

Jan 1, 1882

Italy becomes a member of the Triple Alliance between Italy, Germany, and Austria-Hungary. Each country promised the others defense if any were attacked.

World War I Ends

Nov 11, 1918

Italy is devastaded after World War I. 420,000 soldiers were killed and 955,000 soldiers were wounded during the war.

Treaty of Versailles

Jun 28, 1919

The treaty was one of the peace treaties after the end of World War I, and ended the state of war between Germany and the Allies. It gave Germany the fault of the war and directly led to World War II.

Founding of Italian Fascist Party

Nov 9, 1921

Benito Mussolini founds the National Fascist Party in Rome, Italy. This party marks the transformation of the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento into a political group.

Italy Invades Ethiopia

Oct 3, 1935

Itally controlled Somalia and Eritrea, but had not been able to colonize Ethiopia. When Benito Mussolini came to power, he wanted take over Ethiopia. He sent General Badoglio and the Italian Army into Ethiopia.

League of Nations Issues Sanctions

Nov 1, 1935

The League of Nations is angered at Italy's invasion of Ethiopia. They issue sanctions on Italy. However, France and Britain oppose sanctions on Italy as they might force Mussolini to form an assiance with Hitler and Nazi-Germany.

Mussolini and Hitler Ally

Oct 1, 1936

Adolf Hitler gained power and wanted a relationship with Italy. He signed a non-military allinace with Mussolini.

Declaration of War

Jun 10, 1940

Benito Mussolini declares war on Britain and France.

Italy Declares War on Greece

Oct 1, 1940

Benito Mussolini declares war on Greece. But, the Italian invasion of Greece ends in a falure. Mussolini wanted to re-establish an Italian empire around the Mediterranean Sea.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Resigns

Dec 15, 1941

By the end of 1941, Italy had become totally dependent on Nazi-Germany. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Galaezzo Ciano, was unhappy with how Mussolini was running Italy, so he resigned.

Casablanca Conference

Jan 14, 1943

WInston CHurchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt discuss ways to take Italy out of World War II so they can focus on fighting just Germany. They decided to launch an invasion of Sicily.

Invasion of Sicily

Jul 10, 1943

The 8th army landed in five different places around Sicily. Patton took control of Palermo on July 22nd. The loss of SIcily caused serious problems for Benito Mussolini, and allowed the Allies to use Sicily as a base for invading Italy.

Mussolini arrested

Jul 25, 1943

King Victor Emmanuel III dismissed Benito Mussolini from office. Mussolini's successor, Pietro Badoglio, who was appointed by the King, declared martial law and arrested Mussolini. Soon after, Hitler sent airbourne commanders to rescue him from prison. He was freed and Otto Skorzeny flew him to safety on September 12.

Italy signs Armistice

Sep 3, 1943

Galaezzo Ciano got support for the idea of Italy agreeing to peace with the Allies. They sign a armistice to surrender to the Allies.

Italian Campaign

Sep 17, 1943

Allied forces, after the invasion of Sicily, use mainland Italy to directly attack Germany. This results in the German army surrendering in May 1945.

Mussolini executed

Apr 27, 1945

Benito Mussolini was captured by communist partisan as he was trying to escape to Spain. He was executed the day after in Giulino di Mezzegra by Colonello Valerio, the communist partisan commander. His body, along with the body of other fascists that were executed, were driven to Milan, where they were dumped on the Piazzale Lorete. The piazza was then renamed Piazza Quindici Martiri. Now his body is in Predappio in Romagna.