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Formation of an Independent Italy
The Risorgimento Movement created an independent Italian State through Italian unification. Despite this, the Catholic church still owned a Papal state in Rome. Although this movement was successful in uniting Italy, it also caused underlying political issues as the Papacy did not support the liberal government that was put in charge. This image is significant as it demonstrates how the Italian state was split up before unification and when each section joined the Italian state. -
Papal States Taken Over by the New Nation of Italy
The Papal States were entered by the Italians and with the help of a plebiscite held in October, annexed Rome and the Papal States to the Kingdom of Italy. This increased the amount of Catholics that lived in Italy, which then increased political conflict between the liberal government and the church. This image is significant as it shows which parts of Italy were considered to be a part of the Papal state and how it connected North and South Italy. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
This war was fought between Italy and Ethiopia, where Ethiopia had the support of Russia and France. The Ethiopians were vastly superior to the Italians as they had modern firearms and volunteers, military advisors, army training, and the sale of weapons from France and Russia. Italians were met with initial success, but their defeat came after the Battle of Adwa. This image is significant as it shows the sophisticated weapons that the Ethiopians were supplied with. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italian troops invaded Libya, then part of the Ottoman Empire, and started the Italo-Turkish War. This created the colony of Italian Libya. The creation of this new colony was a success for the nationalistic and imperialist Italians, as they wanted to have the most land and to be the most powerful. This image is significant as it demonstrates which parts of Libya the Italians took over and where they were in regards to the Ottoman Empire. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini began to edit the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti after he was let out of jail for his activism against the war. The stories published were encouraging of a revolution against the liberal state. This image is significant as it gives an example of the types of articles that Avanti would publish. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
Mussolini was expelled from the Socialist Party after advocating for Italian involvement in WW1, which went against the Party’s support of neutrality. After this, Mussolini started his own newspaper called Il Popolo d’Italia, where his views now centered around nationalistic ideologies instead of socialistic. This newspaper was financed by rich Italians in the North who had similar views. This picture is significant as it illustrates the types of articles that were published by this newspaper. -
Treaty of London
The Fascists believed that Italy needed to join the war in order to spark a revolution against the liberal government in Italy. Italy fought with the Triple Entente and agreed to sign the Treaty of London because they offered Italy more land than Austro-Hungary and Germany did. This image is significant as it shows the amount of land promised to Italy in the Treaty of London, which impacted their decision in which side they fought on. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Biennio Rosso was a time of intense social conflict in Italy that lasted 2 years. Unemployment rose to 2 million, and the industry workers began military action. This violence resulted in the hatred for socialists by the upper class. This eventually pushed them to become supporters of Mussolini and fascism since they were considered to be the opposers of socialism. This image is significant as it demonstrates the violence that occurred during this time. -
D'Annunzio takes Fiume
Gabriel D’Annunzio led 2000 armed men to Fiume and ruled it for 15 months. They did this because Fiume was a part of terra irredenta. This was in open defiance of the Italian government and the Allies. This event became an inspiration to Mussolini, who adopted the theatrical trappings used by D’Annunzio. This image is significant as it demonstrates where Fiume was in regard to the Italian border. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
This was created by Mussolini combining lots of different Arditi groups, who used weapons to attack socialists. Despite this, they intended to bring together nationalists and socialists. They attempted this by publishing the Fascist Programme on June 6, 1919, which combined left and right-wing demands. But, what really united both parties was their hatred of the liberal state. This image is significant as it shows that their logo was an axe, which demonstrates the group’s violent nature. -
Mussolini Forms Alliance With Giolitti
After Mussolini assured liberal politicians in private that talk of a fascist revolution was not serious, Giolitti offered the fascists an electoral alliance. This alliance was intended for the May 1921 elections to prevent a socialist win. The fascists got 35 seats and increased fascist respectability which resulted in Mussolini announcing that the fascists don’t support Giolitti’s government anymore. This image is significant as it showcases people’s feelings towards Giolitti. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
Mussolini persuaded members of Fasci di Combattimento to reform to a political party (PNF). He was then able to persuade the Fascist National Congress to elect him leader. He agreed to end the truce with socialists and organized action squads. The local ras still had some influence, but Mussolini could now present himself as leader, which increased his power in Italy. This image is significant as it demonstrates how an ax was used in the party’s symbol, moreover emphasizing their violent nature. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
During the March on Rome where the fascists attempted to seize control of major cities, the liberal government initially faced little resistance. Mussolini was to be arrested, but the King changed his mind and refused. Mussolini convinced the King to appoint him as Prime Minister. This gave Mussolini authority in Italian politics and allowed for his eventual rise as a dictator. This image is significant as it shows how Mussolini’s audience grew once he was appointed Prime Minister. -
Acerbo Law Passed
This reform gave the party with the largest amount of votes ⅔ of the seats in Parliament. This enabled the Fascists to take control of Parliament and impose a dictatorship. This image is significant as it shows how this law allowed the Fascists to overpower the Italian Parliament. -
Corfu Incident
Mussolini encouraged the invasion of Corfu, Greece, because Greece would not pay 50 million lire for the murder of an Italian general in Greece. This eventually led to Greece paying the fine. Mussolini was seen as a hero by Italians, which aided him in his rise to dictator. This image is significant as it shows where Corfu was located in relation to Italy and Greece. -
Matteotti Crisis
Socialist Giacomo Matteotti was murdered in June 1924 after publicly condemning fascist violence during elections and threatening to provide evidence of result fraud. This led many Italians to stop supporting Mussolini’s regime. This is significant as the public became more aware of the violent tactics used by the fascists and Mussolini. This political cartoon is significant as it demonstrates Mussolini’s relation to the Matteotti murder and his disappointment with the controversy it started. -
Aventine Secession
After Matteotti's murder, 150 deputies from the left and the center withdrew from the Chamber of Deputies in protest. The protesting deputies began to attempt to overthrow Mussolini since the fascists were implicated in the crime. This is important because it gives an opposing perspective, which was difficult to find as the country was full of heavy fascist propaganda at the time. Also, there is an end to Mussolini's continuous support, which is devastating to his image. -
Battle for Grain
The Battle for Grain was an initiative set by Mussolini to reduce how much Italy relied on global imports for bread. Mussolini placed high tariffs on bread imports so that Italy would increase production on their own. This is significant because it seems that the Battle for Grain would have been a smart move on his part to increase nationalist views. This image is significant as it shows the large amounts of grain produced in Italy after this initiative was set. -
Locarno Treaty Signed
To guarantee peace in Western Europe, Germany, France, Belgium, Britain, & Italy signed the Locarno Treaty. It stated that the German-Belgian and Franco-German frontiers set in the Treaty of Versailles would not change and that there would only be violence between these countries if it was self-defense. This is important as it shows that Mussolini's goal of expanding the Italian empire had shifted. This image is significant as it shows how one more major power was needed in order to halt WWII. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
The battle for land was an attempt to increase usable farmland. Marshes were drained to establish small farms, which were publicly funded, so unemployment decreased. The battle for the lira was an attempt to increase the value of the lira in other countries. The lire was revalued so Italy’s prestige could hold and they could still import coal and iron. The battle for land only reclaimed some marshes and the battle for the lira led to unemployment because there were not as many exports. -
Battle for Births
The Battle for Births was intended to increase Italy’s population to prepare for a future army. It targeted women by stressing traditional housewife roles. Marriage was encouraged, and it was said that women should refrain from work. This is significant as it shows Mussolini’s perspective on certain demographics. Also, by holding back a certain group to enforce his beliefs, his power could be better sustained. So, this would have relayed the fascist ideals he wanted to instill. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed
This was a post-WWI peacekeeping effort that tried to end war as a tool of national policy. This was created in hopes of creating alliances that would prevent Germany from becoming aggressive. This is important as it displays the effect of WWI on the relationships between powerful countries in Europe and the rest of the world. This is also significant because even though it was stressed to handle things peacefully, the treaty was not enforced thus allowing conflict to arise during WWII. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
In the Lateran Treaty, the government took papal sovereignty over Vatican City. Thus, the pope acknowledged the Italian state and its control of Rome. This is significant as it ended the conflict between church and state. This would have been beneficial for Mussolini as his power could be further solidified within a larger group. This also benefited the church as Roman Catholicism would be the national religion. But, the fascists' need for independence and nationalism was strengthened. -
Stresa Front
This was a coalition of France, Britain, and Italy. It formed in opposition of Adolf Hitler’s goal to rearm Germany against the Treaty of Versailles. This is significant as it showcases the consequence of Germany’s loss in WWI and how its conditions were not enforced properly. Although the Stresa Front soon dissolved, it still shows the great contrast between the goals of the treaties and the choices of Adolf Hitler. This cartoon emphasizes this by separating Hitler from the other leaders. -
Abyssinian Crisis
This was a diplomatic crisis between Italy and Ethiopia (Absyssinia) due to Italy’s aggressive policy. This was caused by the Welwel incident which deepened the conflict between the countries. The League of Nations ruled for economic sanctions against Italy. Italy ignored the sanctions, left the League, and made special deals with France and Britain. This led to the annexation of Abyssinia. This is significant as it undermines the credibility of the League and causes Italy to side with Germany. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
Mussolini supported the Nationalists by providing bombers. France tried to support the Republican Army but they were pressured by Britain’s right-wing cabinet. This led to the agreement in Europe where no country was allowed to intervene in the Spanish Civil War. Italy continued to provide aid to the Nationalists through weapons and troops. This is significant as it shows Mussonlini’s desire to secure control in the Mediteranean, and his lacking care of European diplomatic relations. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
A coalition formed between Italy and Germany. This agreement would later be extended to Japan and they would become known as the Axis Powers. This agreement is significant as it solidifies the relationship between Italy and Germany. Both had the common interest of destabilizing the European order. Additionally, it reveals the way Europe’s alliances changed due to the League of Nations. -
Munich Conference
An agreement between Britain, France, Germany, and Italy that allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland because of the German threat of war. The Sudetenland was a region in western Czechoslovakia that had 3 million German speakers. The Munich Conference is significant because it shows the tension in Europe as well as the fear of Hitler. This demonstrates how the powers were willing to appease totalitarian states. This cartoon demonstrates how carefully the leaders needed to navigate the situation -
Italy Invades Albania
A military campaign by Italy to occupy Albania due to Mussolini’s imperialist policies. Albania was aware of the invasion and prepared by sending out troops. But, they did not know when it would occur. Italy arrived on the coast and attacked all of Albania’s ports which led them to be under Italy’s control. Consequently, Albania surrendered by April 10 and the invasion ended on April 12. This is significant because it demonstrates Italy's desire for land and power. -
Italy Enters WWII on Side of Germany
Italy joined WW2 on the side of the Axis Powers due to the surrender of France. Mussolini declared war on France and Britain as he believed that the conflict would end soon. He joined the war in hopes of gaining colonies in North Africa by taking from France and Britain. This is significant since it shows Italy's hunger for power and land. -
Mussolini Brought Down by Coup During WWII
Mussolini was voted out of power by his Grand Council. This was a result of a meeting of the Grand Council the night before. Dino Grandi suggested that the power should be transferred to the King and the motion was passed. Mussolini was not able to react and when he left was immediately arrested. This is significant as it showcases the fall of Mussolini's influence over Russia. -
Mussolini Killed
Mussolini was executed by an Italian partisan in the village of Giulino di Mezzegra in northern Italy. This was when he was running from Milan in an attempt to make it to the Swiss border, but was stopped. He and his mistress were shot and their bodies were dragged to a suburban square where they were beaten and hit. This is significant as it demonstrates Italians' hatred towards Mussolini.
