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Mussolini works as a member of the Italian Socialist Party
Mussolini begins to work as a member of the Italian Socialist Party. This was heavily based on his upbringing, since both of his parents were strict socialists in their political views. -
Mussolini becomes editor of "Avanti!"
Mussolini becomes the editor of the Socialist Party newspaper, “Avanti!” -
Expelled from the Socialist Party
Mussolini expelled from Socialist Party. He showed support for World War I, attacked opponents to the war, and began criticizing the entire party for being weak. The socialists tired of this quickly and expelled him. -
Mussolini found newspaper
Mussolini founds Italian newspaper “Il Popolo d’Italia” -
Fascist movement begins
Fascist movement begins. The fascists were angry because of britain's pressure for italy to join the war and sign the Treaty of London. The fascist movement was just beginning and could not get any parliamentary seats. -
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Black shirts gain power
The black shirts slowly gain power and push out socialist leaders. In october 1922 about 30,000 black shirts marched on Rome. the government resigned and allowed mussolini to become prime minister because he said he would support continuation of the monarchy. -
Mussolini brings people into the Fascio di Combattimento (fighting group)
Mussolini brings together groups of nationalists, syndicalists, artists, and ex-servicemen into the Fascio di Combattimento (‘fighting group’); this group later became Fascists. They were united by a hatred of the liberal states. They were united by a hatred of the liberal states. Mussolini received financial support from Ansaldo and other companies that helped to lead up to this. -
Fascio di Combattimento was overshadowed
Fascio di Combattimento was overshadowed by Gabriele D’Annunzio marching 2000 armed men to Fiume, a city they wanted but did not get during the peace treaties. They took rapid control and kept it for 15 months; this made D’Annunzio a hero to Italy and inspired Mussolini to copy his theatrics (like the black shirts, the Roman salute they used, and the parades and speeches they had) -
D'Annuzio gives up Fiume
Government military action forced D’Annunzio to give up Fiume. This eliminated a potential rival to Mussolini, and he began asserting central control by saying without his leadership and newspaper, the political parties would fall apart. He also used Italy’s weak economy, which was devastated by keeping soldiers clothed and fed in World War 1 and by trying to pay off debts to other countries (from the war). -
Fascism becomes a formal political party
35 parliament seats were taken by fascist leaders and fascism became a formal political party. Mussilinis movement was expanding and gaining momentum. -
Leader of the "Parito Nazionale Fascista"
Mussolini is elected as the leader of the “Partito Nazionale Fascista”, also known as the “National Fascist Party.” -
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In office
In office from October 31 1922 to July 25 1945. Italy had been in an economic downfall after WWI, and the people of Italy saw fascism as a way out of this hardship. During this time, Italy’s lack of natural resources and fertile land became an issue for Mussolini’s fascist plan to become a completely independant power. -
Mussolini declared himself dictator
Even though Victor Emmanuel had some complaints about Mussolini he supported total fascist rule during times of war. Mussolini declared himself dictator, forced out all non fascists and dissolved all other parties as well as putting a tight censorship on the press. He got the name Il Dulce which means ‘the leader’ (one solid leadership). Mussolini begins censorship as well as taking any and all credit for the violence committed by the Black Shirts. -
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Mussolini rased a generation of yound fascists (propaganda)
1926- 1935 Mussolini had raised a generation of young fascists (propaganda) -
Message sent to the German Defense Minister
Mussolini sent a message to the German Defense Minister General Kurt von Schleicher, suggesting an anti-French Italo-German alliance, an offer Schleicher responded to favorably, albeit with the condition that Germany needed to rearm first. -
Arrested by the King
Grand Council of Fascism voted against him, and the King had him arrested the following day. The Italian public was outraged by Mussolini, and wished to see him executed. -
Gran Sasso raid
Gran Sasso raid. Mussolini rescued by German commandos from his prison in Campo Imperatore. This raid was ordered by Adolf Hitler himself, as a high risk glider mission. Mussolini was safely flown to Luftwaffe, and there was not a single casualty throughout the raid.
