-
Formation of an Independent Italy
In 1861, after decades of struggle and battle against the Austrian Empire, the Risorgimento nationalist movement succeeded in creating a unified and independent Italy. Except for Rome as it is a separate state run by the Catholic Church. This established the liberal monarchy which weakened Italy as it caused divisions which led to Mussolini's rise to power in 1914. -
Papal States Taken Over by New Nation of Italy
After unification, the liberals wanted to modernize Italy by social reforms such as education. This led to a decrease in conservative influence of the Catholic church and stimulated economic development and progress. In the liberals' prespective, they feared the Church which caused them to oppress them to limit their power in Italy. This restriction was heightened by the corruption among liberals to maintain influence. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethopian War with the Battle of Adowa
For Italy to gain more power was to gain colonies. In 1895, Italy occupied the province of Tigre which opposed the Abyssinians interests which caused several military clashes. In the end, the Italians were defeated in 1896. In the Italian perspective, this defeat was a national humiliation which angered the Italians who continued to press for imperial policy. -
Italy Invades and Takes Over Libya
In 1911, Italy invaded the Turkish colony of Libya to increase the size of the Italian Empire and to bloack growing French influence in North Africa. Turkey was defeated in 1912 but Italian Nationalists were still angry from Battle of Adowa which shows continuance in their want for a more aggressive imperial policy. -
Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
Mussolini opposed militarism and Italian Imperialism and supported International solidarity. On his release in 1912, after provoking protests against war in Libya he became editor of Avanti! His papers advocated revolutionary violence against the liberal state. He influenced the expeletion exroyalists and reformists from Socialist Party. His 'socialism' was largely anti-clerical republicanism. By the start of WW1 Mussolini led a change in politics which led to more. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW1
After his firing, he started his own newspaper ("The People of Italy") this enlargened his influence and allowed him to campaign in favor of the war. The paper was financed by wealthy Italian companies like Fiat and French gov't. This consequently led to an increase in power and say around Europe and guide people in the war. -
Treaty of London
Interventionists organized street demonstrations pushing for Italy's involvement in the war. This caused the liberal politicians to decide on the involvement of the war because other groups were rising. In May 1915, Italy signed the treaty on the side of the Triple Entente -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
Unemployment rose to over 2 million in 1919 and industrial workers began a wave of militant action. These were known as the biennio rosso. It was significant as it led to many strikes, factory and land occupations created by trade unions. This led to an increase in members in the socialist trade unions. It was a large change as it apidly grew from 250,000 to more than 2 million members. This allowed them to seize control of local governments and spread their influence all around Italy. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
Mussolini tried to bring disparate groups together and 118 people from various political groups met in Milan to create a fighting group. They wanted to bring together nationalists and socialists. This group combined both left and right wing demands and wants. This led an increase in power for Mussolini to defeat the liberal state. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
D'Annunzio led a network of military agitators to the city Fiume. His force quickly took control fo the city in defiance to the liberal government. In the Italian natioalists' perspective, Gabriele was a hero and was an inspiration to Mussolini. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti
Mussolini's alliance with Giolitti allowed him to gain power and spread his influence over Italy to gain votes during the election. This continued the violence made by the fascists which killed 100 socialists. Mussolini's plan and resistance to socialists was gaining traction which was a chnage from previous elections. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
He created the PNF to secure his position and maintain his influence. This group suppressed any opposition to his party and guaranteed his control over Italy and the government. This increase in power caused him to limit the popoulation and only have men over the age of 21 to vote that belonged in fascist syndicates to secure his high position in government. This was a success and caused him to become the dictator of Italy. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
In 1922, local fascist leaders began to take over towns an regions, this illustrates Mussolini's influence and power over the people by his high position and the March on Rome shows the security in his position as dictator. This march caused the submission of separate states to allow him to have full control of their land and people. -
Acerbo Law passed
As Mussolini gained more power in his position, he decided to change the consititution to reform th electoral system, in his perspective, would benefit his future in his dictatorship in Italy and strengthen his power. The new law states that gave a party that won most votes have 2/3 of parliment seats. This causes Mussolini and the fascist party to have more say and influence in reforms and demands that should be followed through. -
Corfu Incident
The incident was the murder of an Italian general in Greece while making maps of a disputed area. This caused Mussolini to take advantage of the situation and infleunce Greece to pay 5 millio in compensation with an apology. When the Greeks refused this led to the start of the invasion of the greek island Corfu. This was signifcant as it changed Greece's stance and they paid the fine. This benefitted Mussolini as he was labelled a national hero gaining more support in his position. -
Aventine Secession
This event was the boycott and protest against parliament which was led by liberal Giovanni Amendola. Their demands were to force the king to dismiss Mussolini. This was a threat to his power and his party was slowly losing support. The King refused the action at fist and blamed the opposition.The pope and other groups like liberals took advantage of the situation and reasserted dominance over the now weak Mussolini to gain back power. -
Matteotti Crisis
Matteotti was abducted in Rome and he was known as a much respected socialists who was against the fascist violence and corruption during the election. The murderers' associatio with the Mussolini regime caused many people to lose their support for him. Ths was detrimental to his security in his position of power so he ordered the arrest of Dumini to gain back support. However, the press showed evidence of Mussolini's involvement which led to protests and boycotts to the parliament. -
Battle for Grain
This battle was the result of a poor harvest and a consequent increase in grain imports. The goal would to have farmers grow more cereals significant in order to reduce Italy's dependence on foreign imports. This would lead to more importing controls and stronger indpendence. This was the result of a reward system that gives a reward to the farmers with the most production of grain. This consequently lead to encouragement and productivity of grain and run businesses to grow the economy. -
Locarno Treaty signed
It was a treaty to secure post-war territorial settlement and an opportunity for Italy to gain more terriotries. This would allow them to gain more influence and power as an empire in Europe. However, this promise wasn't fulfilled and Italy felt cheated as they gained barely any rewards out of the war that they advocated for. This angered Italy and questioned the leadership of Mussolini. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira
This battle was to increase the amount of avaiable farmland to increase production of farming. In order to do this, marshes and swamps were drained. This allowed the establishment of many small frms. This was significant as the increase in farming financed from public funds created wrk for the unemployed. -
Battle for Births
An attempt to increase the Italian population to create a large future to expand the Italian Empire. There was a substantial change as the population increased from 40 million to 60 million by 1950. To enforce this the fascists used their influence to encourage early marriage, offering maternity benefits, exhorted women not to work, and gave jobs to married fathers. This enofrced the domestic lifestyle as this became the new norm and took away a women's choice. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty signed
It is an agreement for Renunciation of war as an instrument of National Policy. This treaty resolved any dsputes and conflicts between countries. However, it wasn't effective as there was no mechanism for enforcemet, this caused parties not to follow the rules and intensify the conflicts. -
Lateran Treaty
This treaty was signed between Mussolini and the Pope to recognize Vatican City as an independent state from the Italian government. This treaty signifies the loss of Mussolini's power and control over Italy as rome demands independence from the goals and ideals of the government. This treaty regulated the relations between state and Catholic Church. This is a major change as papacy is starting to gain power and influence in their region. -
Abyssinian Crisis
A diplomatic crisis over Italy's policy of aggression against Ethiopia. The league of nations couldn't stop it and it allowed Italy to feel revengeful. This caused the LoN to be discredited and encouraged itself to ally with Nazi Germany. -
Abyssinian Crisis
It was a diplomatic crisis that lasted from 1934 to 1937 over Italy's policy of aggression against Ethiopia. This was caused by the 'Welwel incident' which was a turning point as it marked an acceleration of the ongoing conflict between the Italian Empire and Ethiopia. This conflict discredited the LoN as it wasn't effective in stopping the crisis. This led to Italy joining alliances with Nazi Germany. -
Stresa Front
A coalition of the Triple Entente to oppose Adolf Hitler's announced intention to rearm Germany, this violated the terms of the treaty of Versailles. This was signficiant as it made sure that Britain and France wouldn't interfere with the Abyssinian Crisis. In Mussolini's perspective, he couldn't risk opposing any more int'l disagreements because he needed to reaffirm Locarno. -
Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War
Italian military intervention in Spain took place to support the nationalist cause against the Second Spanish Republic. Italy's involvement allows them to spread their ideals and goals to have fascism take over Europe. By gaining the nationalists' support this would allow more countries to join the alliance and for fascism to gain more power and the empire to take control of Europe. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed
A treaty that established the coalition of two fascist countries, included Japan. This led them to work together and gain power by supporting each other to secure their wealth and stability. In the LoN perspective, this was a threat to the peace and stability of Europe as fascist power was growing and could lead to another war. -
Munich Conference
A settlement between Germany, Britain, France and Italy on permitting German annexation of the Sudetenland. This caused Germany to gain more power and influence as they gain more land. This allows fascism to spread through Europe by this annexation. This was the turning point for Germany as this conference allowed Hitler to take over more regions of land. -
Italy invades Albania
Italy invades Albania because Hitler gave no warning to Italy when he invaded Czechoslovakia and in return he decided to annexate Albania. In the King's perspective, this was a bad idea as this motive was a great risk and had no real gain from it. -
Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II
Mussolini was voted out of power by his own grand council and arrested once leaving a meeting with the King when they lost the war. This caused Mussolini to respond with a meekness. This coup caused Mussolini to be sick, tired, and overwhelmed by the military reverses by the Italian army. -
Italy enters WW II on side of Germany
After the allied forces declared war on Nazi Germany, Italy changed sides to Germany, their Axis powers partner. Italy had an aim to take over british and French colonies in North Africa. This would cause Italy and Germany to spread fascism throughout Africa and they would gain power once the colonies apply fascism in their governments. This will help grow Italy's empire and control in the world. -
Mussolini killed
Mussolini was shot by Italian partisans as they tried to flee to Switzerland. This was the turning point of the Axis powers as the Allied forces defeated them in the Italian peninsula. This caused Stalin to take over.