Mussolini Timeline

Formation of an independent Italy

Mar 12, 1861

The image of King Victor Emmanuel II is significant to Italy's independence, as he united the country as well as other states of the peninsula.

Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy

Sep 20, 1870

The Papal States were areas of land in Central Italy controlled by the Pope until it was annexed. Below is a map of the Papal States, showing which areas were annexed at what times.

Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)

Mar 2, 1896

As Italy was outnumbered 4 to 1 by the Ethiopians, the artistic rendition of the first Italo-Ethiopian war emphasizes the lack of unpreparedness for the war on Italy's part.

Italy invades and takes over Libya

Oct 4, 1911

Crisis Phase; troops invade Libya and capture Tripoli from Turkey and later annexing them

Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

Jan 12, 1912

Avanti was an Italian daily newspaper, representing the Socialist Party in Italy

Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I

Jan 10, 1914

(Article title roughly translates to "Mussolini executed/exiled") Mussolini's advocacy for Italian neutrality lead to his withdrawal from Avanti as directorate

Treaty of London

Apr 26, 1915

A private treaty signed between Italy and the Triple Entente to bring Italy into WWI

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

Jun 28, 1919

Revolutionary “Red Years” between 1919 and 1920, beginning after WWI when Versailles was signed

D’Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1919

This is actually D’Annunzio himself

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti

Aug 31, 1921

This is Giolitti himself

Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

Nov 9, 1921

this image is used to symbolize the party as it is in fact their symbol

12. Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader

Nov 9, 1921

The picture used is a propaganda poster used for the party, emblematic of the authority they would gain after their founding

March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

Oct 28, 1922

Pictured here is the actual March on Rome

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

The image shown was taken of the italian militia at corfu during the incident

Acerbo Law passed

Dec 15, 1923

This image displays the signing of the Acerbo law itself.

Aventine Secession

Jun 10, 1924

Following Matteotti’s death, this was the withdrawal of Parliament opposition and the start of a one-party dictatorship.

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

The man pictured here is in fact Matteotti, whose assassination initiated this crisis.

Battle For Grain

1925

Goal was increasing bread and cereal production, so Italy doesn’t rely on other countries.

Locarno Treaty signed

Dec 1, 1925

The main significance of the treaty was frontier agreements between Belgium, France, and Germany. Britain and Italy guaranteed it.

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

1926

Land was to increase farming and Lira was to decrease inflation.

Battle For Births

1927

Advocated for women having more children and traditional housewife roles. Prizes to women who had the most children. Those with 6+ children got out of taxation

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Feb 11, 1929

Agreement with the Pope, Mussolini, and King Emmanuel III. Gave RCC financial compensation for losing Papal States. Vatican City as independent state.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed

Aug 27, 1929

A signing where countries agreed to not use war to solve conflicts. It wasn't efficient in preventing WW2.

Abyssinian Crisis

Dec 5, 1934

Fascist Italy and the Ethiopian Empire were in conflict after Mussolini wanted to subject it to Italian rule. This happened in the town of Walwal.

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

Agreement made with Mussolini, Flandin (French Prime Minister), and MacDonald (Britain Prime Minister).Alliance made to stop Nazi Germany and seen as a last chance to stop Hitler.

Italian involvement with the Spanish Civil War

1936

Italians provided aid to the Spanish Nationalists who fought against the Second Spanish Republic. They did this in order to promote worldwide fascism.

Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

Nazi Germany, Great Britain, French Republic, and Fascist Italy all agreed to allow Germany to annex the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia, as it had a high population of ethnic Germans.

Italy Invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

Italy invaded Albania resulting in conflict between the imperialistic policies of Benito Mussolini and the Albanian Kingdom.

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty Signed

May 22, 1939

Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy signed a "friendship treaty" where they would pursue common foreign policy.

Italy enters WWII on side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

Italy joined the war as Germany's allies supporting the imperialistic and violent natures of Nazi Germany.

Mussolini brought down by Coup during WWII

Jul 24, 1943

Fascist Grand Council voted Mussolini out of power and replaced him with Marshal Pietro Badoglio.

Mussolini Killed

Apr 28, 1945

Benito Mussolini was executed by an Italian Partisan in the village of Giulino di Mezzegra