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Formation of an independent Italy
Italy became an independent state on March 17, 1861. This is because of the Resurgence - a political movement that unified the states of the Italian Kingdom.
I chose this photo because it depicts the event of the Resurgence and it showcases the universal struggle for unification seen through how there are both men and women in the frame. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
The Italians took over the Papal States in September 1870. They were able to do this due to having the support of a ballot held back in early October. They also annexed the Papal States alongside Rome to form the Kingdom of Italy.
I chose this photo because it showcases the region that the Italians were claiming in order to form their kingdom. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
The Battle of Adwa took place on March 1, 1896, where Ethiopian soldiers outnumbered the Italian soldiers and the Eritrean askaris (traitors of Ethiopia who were later captured and mutilated) and struck them forcing the two groups to retreat back into Eritrea.
I chose this photo because it clearly shows the two groups (Ethiopians and Italians) as well as depicts the Italians fighting in a struggle through the chaos in their side while the Ethiopians are calm. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini pushed the socialist newspaper into a campaign and because of his company inside the party, he asked for the Italian Socialist Party to validate his new line or he would resign, which he did the next day.
I chose this photo because this is the exact paper Mussolini worked on. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italy invaded Libya from September 29, 1911, to November 1911. In which the Italian troops came and invaded the province of Libya which was a part of the Ottoman Empire. This then started the Italo-Turkish war which Italy won.
I chose this photo because it depicts the event holistically and it showcases the Italians appearing more relaxed since they had won the war. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I
Mussolini was a Socialist however when the debate for whether Italy should join the war in WWI, Mussolini approached the belief that was opposed by the Socialist party - wanting to go to the war - which made him outcasted by them.
I chose this picture because it represented the PSI which was the group that rejected Mussolini. -
Treaty of London
On April 26, 1915, Italy had a secret treaty with France, Britain, and Russia for bringing Italy into WWI. This is because the Allied countries wanted Italy to participate for the border of Austria.
I chose this photo because the paper represented the Treaty of London. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Between 1919 and 1920, there was an intense social conflict in Italy because of the violent reaction of the Fascist militia.
I chose this photo because it showed the group of people fighting during the revolution in regards to the conflict at hand. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
Mussolini established the Fasci Italiani di Combattimento, or the Fascists, in Milan after WWI. They believed in radical nationalistic ideals (with mixes of anticlericalism and republicanism), and aimed to take away women’s rights, war profits, and 8 hour day.
I chose this picture as it is the Fascist logo and represents the formation of Mussolini's Fascist party. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
General Gabriele D’Annunzio took over the city of Fiume in response to his anger about proposed handing over Fiume (a mostly Italian population) at the Paris Peace Conference. He declared Fiume independent and still attempted to annex it, however failed repeatedly.
I chose this picture of D’Annunzio because he was the General leading the assault on Fiume. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini formed an alliance with Giovanni Giolitti, the head of the Italian government, to secure his power with the Italian parliament as he became the head of the PNF.
I chose the picture above of Giolitti because he was the leader of the Italian government and the man involved in Mussolini’s alliance. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
The National Fascist Party was established by Benito Mussolini who was then elected the leader. Due to Mussolini’s alliance with Giolitti, there was little resistance to the Fascist revolts.
I chose the picture above because it is the logo of the PNF or National Fascist Party. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
After the politically charged fascist coup d’etat - March on Rome, the King gave Mussolini his power, leading to the form of a new government.
I chose the picture because it demonstrates the March on Rome and shows the events in person. -
Acerbo Law passed
Proposed by Baron Giacomo Acerbo to give Mussolini’s fascist party more deputies. Passed by the Italian Parliament.
I chose this picture because this is the man who proposed the Acerbo Law. -
Corfu Incident
A diplomatic and military crisis between Greece and Italy. In response to Italian soldiers dying on foreign soil, Mussolini showed off Italian strength in the Corfu Incident, boosting his support. (August 29, 1923 - September 27, 1923)
I chose the picture above because it demonstrates the fighting between Italy and Greece. -
Aventine Secession
The withdrawal by 150 people and center deputies from the Italian Chamber of Deputies to show their opposition to the rule of the Fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
This image shows the large number of people who opposed Benito Mussolini. -
Matteotti Crisis
After Giacomo Matteotti’s assassination because he spoke out against Mussolini, Mussolini received criticism and challenged everybody to prosecute him, but nobody challenged him back. From this point, Mussolini ignored embracing the Parliament and instead focused on the creation of a totalitarian state.
I chose this picture because it depicts Giacomo Matteoti, the man assassinated by Mussolini. -
Battle For Grain
A campaign that had the goal of having a self-sufficiency of wheat production in Italy.
This image depicts the surplus of wheat that was grown as Italy became self-sufficient in wheat -
Locarno Treaty signed (December 1, 1925)
The document presented here is the archival copy of the treaty concluded by the governments of Germany, Belgium, France, Great Britain, and Italy in the city of Locarno, Switzerland.
Shows German, French, and British representatives, Gustav Stresemann, Austen Chamberlain and Aristide Briand. -
Battle for Births
This was Mussolini’s attempt at growing the population by giving women an incentive to have more children and also to have less women in the workforce.
This image shows the medal women were given if they had at least 5 children. Each pin shows each additional child after their fifth. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
A battle aimed to clear marshland to make it suitable for farming. Another aim was to reclaim lost land.
This picture depicts the chaos and violence that came with the battle for land. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
An agreement attempting to eliminate war as an instrument of national policy.
This image showcases everyone who was involved in the treaty. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
A treaty between Italy and the Vatican. It was signed by Mussolini for the Italian government and by cardinal secretary of state Pietro Gasparri for the papacy and confirmed by the Italian constitution of 1948.
This shows the treaty being signed. -
Stresa Front
Coalition of France, Britain, and Italy formed in April 1935 at Stresa, Italy, to oppose Adolf Hitler’s announced intention to rearm Germany, which violated terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
This image shows Pierre Laval, Benito Mussolini, Ramsay MacDonald and premier Pierre Flandin discussing the Stresa Front -
Abyssinian Crisis
This resulted from the Walwal incident in October 1934 where Abyssinia argued of the nation's borders at Walwal. Starting October 3rd, 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia and ended the campaign on May 9th, 1936.
I chose this picture because it shows Mussolini arguing that the LoN could not resolve the solution while his nation and Abyssinia were both in the League. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
This treaty acted to link Italy and Germany in case of war, promising to support each other. They wanted to protect each others’ imperial interests. Formalized in 1939, it became the Pact of Steel.
I chose this picture because it depicts Italy’s foreign minister (Galeazzo Ciano) and Hitler coming to agreement. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
Mussolini had relations with right-wing forces in Spain, leading him to agree to immediate aid, which he failed. Italy signed a non-intervention agreement, yet Mussolini signed a military-based secret treaty with Spanish Nationalists on November 28th, 1936, in return for Italian bases in Spain.
I chose this picture because it shows opposition of Mussolini’s fight in Spain. -
Munich Conference
Since Hitler threatened a European war if an area of Czechoslovakia of high German population was not surrendered, Britain, France, and Italy agreed to allow annexation.
I chose this picture because it shows the members at the Munich Conference soon before signing the agreement. -
Italy invades Albania
To seem imperially superior, Mussolini looked for reasons to expand territory and control into Albania where he used the oppression of fascists to his advantage. He gave Albania’s king an ultimatum, which was refused, leading Italian warships and troops to attack starting April 7th. It ended (April 12, 1939) with Albanian territory becoming Italy’s.
I chose this picture because it shows the aggressiveness of imperial Italy. -
Italy enters WWII on side of Germany
Due to the Pact of Steel and French failure, Italy declared war on Britain and France to benefit itself as Germany seemed to lead. Mussolini was driven by imperial interest such as earning African land from the allied powers.
I chose this picture because it shows how Hitler led the axis powers while Italy only trailed along. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WWII July 25 1943
As his Grand Council decided to transfer power to the king due to military weakness and failure in the war, Mussolini was voted out of power. After meeting with the king and being made aware, he was arrested.
I chose this picture as it shows people in Rome celebrating Mussolini’s overthrow, depicting his opposition. -
Mussolini killed
Hidden with Petacci, Mussolini was executed by machine gun fire. The next morning, he along with 14 other fascists were hung by their feet, imitating fascists executing partisans months earlier. Italians then attacked his body by throwing food and shooting him.
I chose this picture as it shows Mussolini’s gravestone.