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Formation of an Independent Italy
The Risorgimento nationalist movement pushed for a unified Italy starting in 1815. Before unification, Italy was divided between many city-states and kingdoms. Reasons behind Italy’s want for independence include Napoleon’s invasion and control of Italy, the two Italian wars of independence (1848): Sardinia v. Austria; II (1859): Sardinia (w/France) v. Austria, Garibaldi’s expedition of Sicily. Italy was fully united in 1870 when the Papal States finally became part of Italy. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
Papal States was ruled by the Pope, and when Italy was unified in 1861, the Italian central government saw the Papal States as a threat to unity. Napolean III left French presence in the Papal States, however, the Papal States were left unattended when troops were pulled out for the Franco-Prussian war (1870). On Sept. 10, 1870, the Italian gov. declared war on the Papal States. Italians captured the States on Sept. 20, and the Papal States were added to unified Italy in October. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
A combination of Italy building their Italian empire, their 1885 port in Massawa, and the conquest of Italian Somaliland (currently area of Somalia and Djibouti) led to conflict with Ethiopia beginning in 1895. The Battle of Adowa consisted of Italy attempting to surprise the outnumbered Ethiopians; however, the Ethiopians were prepared and defeated the Italians. this caused Italy to lose the Italo-Ethiopian War and recognize Ethiopian independence. this left Italians humiliated -
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Italy invades and takes over Libya
Libya was a Turkish colony in 1911, and Italy wanted it so that they could grow their Italian empire and try to take away French power from Northern Africa. Italy greatly outnumbered the Turkish troops, allowing them to defeat Turkey, and they accepted this in 1912. This gave Italy control of Libya -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini in his early life was an active socialist who was against Italian imperialism and military efforts. After he was released from arrest in 1912 because of his involvement in violent protests about Italy in Libya, he became the editor of the Avanti, where he discussed revolutionary violence attacking liberals along with cleaning up the Socialist party. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI
When WWI occurred, Mussolini was on the side of Italy joining the war on the side of the Allies rather than staying neutral like the socialists wanted. This led to Mussolini and his friends creating the Fascio Rivoluzionario di Azione Internazionalista (Revolutionary Group of International Action), which led to his shift from socialist to extreme nationalist. Because of this, the Socialist party kicked him out and the Avanti newspaper dropped him. -
Treaty of London
Secret treaty between Allied powers (Britain, Russia, France) and Italy which entered Italy into WWI. This treaty stated that Italy would be awarded territory for helping the Allies, especially land in Austria along the Adriantic coast and border. After WWI, Italy was given a “mutilated” version of this treaty, which didn’t give Italians all of the land they were promised (such as African territory, Fiume, or Dalmatia). This angered Italian nationalists who felt cheated. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
Ultra-nationalist Gabriele D’Annunzio led 2000 armed men to Fiume after the announcement that the city, Fiume, would not be given to Italy as a reward for fighting on the Allied side during WWI. D’Annunzio and his men ruled over Fiume for 15 months, and his actions were a major influence on nationalists and Mussolini. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Known as the “two red years”, caused by increasing post-WWI unemployment which consisted of workers’ strikes were run by trade unions and peasant leagues, causing socialist trade unions to grow to over 2 million members. This led to the Italian Government (specifically prime minister Giovanni Giolitti) working to fix issues with food distribution and prices in a non-forceful manner, making them look foolish. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
Mussolini wanted to bring the different and smaller groups together. Later known as the Fascists of the First Hour, the goal of Fascio di Combattimento was to bring together nationalists and socialists. This included the publication of the Fascist Programme in June 1919, and tried to meet a middle-ground between left and right politics. This ultimately led to the unification of these smaller social and political groups due to their common hatred for liberals. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini had promised to break up the socialist (Bolshevik) states in April 1921, but secretly allied with Giolitti and other liberals to ensure to them that the fascist movement was not serious. With this in mind, Giolitti created an anti-socialist National Bloc, which would be in effect for the May 1921 elections. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
Mussolini had signed the Pact of Pacification- a peace treaty- with moderate socialists and the CGL. After this he resigned from the Facist central Committee to outmaneuver the ras. From there, Mussolini convinced those in the Fasci Di Combattimento to reform the organization into a political party, the PNF. In return for being leader, Mussolini took back the peace treaty with socialists. In November 1921, Mussolini was elected it’s leader -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
The ras was going to march on Rome with or without Mussolini- therefore to appease his more militant followers, he agreed and organized the event. 40,000 fascists invaded various parts of Rome. Instead of warranting the arrest of Mussolini, the king decided to appoint him as prime minister. -
Acerbo law passed
The Acerbo law states that the party or alliance that won the most Votes would gain two-thirds of the seats in parliament, as long as the percentage was greater than 25%. Mussolini hoped it would bring a stronger and more stable government by allowing fascists to have total control over Italian politics. It was passed due to the fear fascists posed upon all other groups -
Corfu incident
An Italian general was murdered on Greek soil while he was making maps. Mussolini took advantage of this and demanded 50million lire as compensation, along with an apology. Greece refused (because they were not responsible) and then Mussolini ordered the invasion of an italian island, corfu. The Greek government then paid the fine and Mussolini was regarded as a national hero. -
Aventine Secession
The socialists, communists, and radical Popolari viewed the Matteotti crisis as being largely Mussolini’s fault. Due to this, under the leadership of liberals, they boycotted parliament to try and get the king to dismiss Mussolini. However, the king supported Mussolini as he was more scared of other parties- specifically republicans -
Matteotti crisis
A respected socialist, Matteotti, came out and strongly condemned the fascist violence and corruption that had happened in the election of April 1924 (gave fascists control). He was abducted and many considered it the work of Dumini’s facist thugs. It seemed like it could’ve brought the end to Mussolini- so, on June 15, Mussolini ordered the arrest of Dumini and his gang. This led to the boycotts known as the Aventine Secession. August 15th- his body found. -
Battle for Grain
After a poor harvest and an increase in grain imports, this policy was enacted. It was focused to get Italian farmers to grow more cereals (especially wheat), in order to reduce Italy’s dependence on foreign imports. It certainly helped increase wheat production, but it created a misallocation of resources-meaning they had to import other things, like olive oil. Also, exports of other things like fruit stopped. -
Locarno Treaty signed
The treaty was negotiated from October 9-15. An agreement between Germany, France, Belgium, Great Britain and Italy, which mutually agreed peace in western Europe. Mainly focused on countries and their relations to Germany. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
The battle for land attempted to increase the amount farmland by draining marshes/swamps. Many small farms were established because of this, which created work for the unemployed. The battle for the Lira (august 18th 1926) occurred when the price of the Lira dropped. To restore it’s value abroad and stop inflation, the lire was re-valued. Battle for land only reclaimed the Pontine Marshes. The battle for the Lira resulted in declining exports, increased unemployment, and recession. -
Battle for Births
The fascists encouraged early marriage, offered generous maternity benefits, exhorted women not to work, and gave jobs to married fathers in preference over single men. They also gave prizes to those women in each of Italy’s 93 provinces who had the most children during their lives. This along with economic incentives encouraged the “traditional life” for women and lowered their ability to be employed -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
Signed between 62 countries, it was signed to prevent war as a tool of national policy. However, every country that signed was able to interpret the terms of the treaty in their own way. In this way, the pact did not prohibit wars of self defense or wars that were obligatory through previously signed documents. These interpretations ultimately made the treaty ineffective. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
It ended the conflict and bitterness held between the Papacy and Italian state since the 1870s. Through this treaty, the Italian government acknowledged papal sovereignty over the Vatican City, which became an independent state. In exchange, the Pope accepted the Italian state. It also gave the pope 1750million lire. Finally, the treaty agreed that Roman Catholicism would be the official state religion of Italy. -
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Abyssinian Crisis
Italy invaded Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) by sending 500,000 troops with tanks, bombs, and poison gas. At the time, Mussolini was worried about the growing influence of Hitler and Nazi Germany. He also wanted to distract the people of Italy from the economic depression with an impressive foreign war. Abyssinia appealed to the League of Nations, however France and Britain were reluctant to place sanctions on Italy because they were seen as a helpful ally against the rise of Nazi Germany. -
Stresa Front
Treaty signed by Mussolini with France and Britain that guaranteed Austrian independence. It was also made to oppose Hitler’s plans to rearm Germany. However, this fell through when Italy invaded Abyssinia. -
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Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
Mussolini wanted to secure fascist control of the Mediterranean. Italy supplied machine guns, aircraft, artillery, and some troops - up to 70,000 - to the Nationalist cause. Italian planes carried out large-scale bombing operations, and it is estimated that over the course of the conflict they dropped over 16,000 bombs. Italian warships also played a large role in breaking a blockade for the Nationalists. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
Made between Italy and Germany, in which they would support each other in the event of war. This led to the 1939 military alliance between the two countries known as the “Pact of Steel”. Japan later joined the Rome-Berlin Axis during WWII. -
Munich Conference
Settlement between Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy that regulated the German annexation of Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia. France and Britain especially were worried about the rising power of Germany, and knew that they were not in a position to fight a war. Therefore, they could not support a liberated Czechoslovakia, as it risked making Hitler more angry -
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Italy invades Albania
Mussolini was worried that Hitler was receiving more attention than him and Italy, so he wanted to do something that would make Italy look powerful. Mussolini used King Zog’s (leader of Albania) opposition to fascists as an excuse for the invasion. King Zog fled to London, and on April 12, the Albanian government surrendered. Mussolini invaded on Good Friday because European leaders were known for taking holidays off. -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
Joined after the fall of Paris in October of 1940. Mussolini had the idea to invade Greece, however this failed and ultimately Germany had to come rescue Italian troops. Italy hoped to gain territory through the war, however eventually ended up switching sides and going against Germany. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
Mussolini was voted out of power by the Grand Council and later arrested after a meeting with the king. After the news of Mussolini’s downfall, no fascist party members or leaders tried to fight for him. As a whole, Mussolini was fatigued by the losses that the Italian military had suffered. -
Mussolini killed
Mussolini was executed in the small town of Giulino di Mezzegra by an Italian partisan, Walter Audisio. Leading up to his death, Mussolini tried to flee Milan with his mistress, Claretta Petacci. However, they were recognized and captured on April 27, and they were executed the following afternoon