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Formation of an independent Italy
Independence was gained from Austria in 1861 as a result of the small nationalist movement which contained primarily the educated classes and students led by Count Camillo di Cavour. This image represents the established monarchy kingdom rule in Italy as it marked a new beginning for Italy. -
Papal States taken over by new nation of Italy
In 1870, the Papal States were incorporated into Italy. Despite Italian unification, this led to a division between Catholics and the new Italian kingdom which would last until the early 20th century. This map conveys the Papal state and its major addition to Italy as a country. -
Failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War with the Battle of Adowa (Adwa)
Italians hoped to grow their imperial empire and become a major world power. Due to this desire and conquest, tensions grew between Italy and Ethiopia. Starting in the First Italo-Ethiopian War, in 1895, Italy had several clashes with Ethiopia. In 1896, Italy failed to win the Battle of Adowa, and many Italian nationalists felt the country had been embarrassed. This image is significant to this event as it presents the battle between the two groups. -
Italy invades and takes over Libya
Italy invaded and took over Libya, previously a Turkish colony in September 1911 as Italy was continuing its goal of growing the size of its empire. Specifically, Italy wanted to limit French influence in Northern Africa, and in 1912 Turkey officially accepted its loss of Libya. This image is significant as it displays the map of Libya under Italian rule. -
Mussolini begins work as an editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti
After ending imprisonment in 1912, in November, Mussolini began working for and became the editor of the Socialist Party’s newspaper Avanti, in Milan, Italy. His articles presented views supporting a revolution against the established liberal state. This image is significant as it portrays the newspaper which Mussolini worked for announcing a headline about Mussolini. -
Mussolini kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WW I
In October of 1914, Mussolini was kicked out of Socialist Party for pro-nationalistic sentiments regarding WWI. Specifically, he was expelled because he began his own newspaper, Il Popolo d’Italia, meaning ‘The People of Italy’, to express support for the war. This paper was funded by Tsarist Russia and wealthy Italian companies. This image is significant as it presents Mussolini’s own newspaper which he started. -
Treaty of London
The Treaty of London, signed on April 26th, 1915, was the Treaty that initially motivated Italy to join WWI on the Triple Entente side. This treaty promised Italian expansion following the war with colonies and more land to make Italy larger. This was significant as it was what ultimately made Italy join WWI and led to inflation in Italy. This image is significant as it portrays the land promised to Italy following the war. -
Beginning of Biennio Rosso
From January 1919 to 1920, the Biennio Rosso, or “two red years” occurred. During this time there was major unemployment which started a movement of military violence against social conditions. During this time there were strikes, factory/land occupations, and growing socialist trade unions. This image is significant to this event as it presents a strike during the two years. -
D’Annunzio takes Fiume
In September of 1919, Fiume, a major port that Italy had desired, was taken by D’Annunzio’s force, against the wishes of the liberal state. From this, they controlled the area for 15 months and marked D’Annunzio as a hero for many Italian nationalists. This image is significant as it depicts D’Annunzio in uniform which later inspired Mussolini. -
Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan
On March 23rd of 1919, an estimated 118 people, called “the Fascists of the First Hour”, from a range of political groups came together and formed the Fascio di Combattimento in Milan. They were united in their disapproval and hatred for the liberal state and aimed to combine left and right-winged goals. This picture is significant as it presents the fascist and the hand movement they adopted from early Roman times. -
Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti-
Giolitti headed the Italian government and made very little action concerning the socialist rebellion outbreaks; he and Mussolini formed an electoral alliance for the national elections to be held that month to shut down the socialists. he photo shows Giolitti, who was a leader of the conservatives. Mussolini formed an alliance with him to reassure the conservatives that his policies would benefit them. -
Mussolini forms the PNF (Fascist Party) and is elected its leader
The PNF was formed and Mussolini now had an opportunity for influence parliament; however, he needed to guarantee his spot in the group because he desired maximum power.he image displays the type of aggressive forces that Mussolini used to begin establishing power, which both impressed and frightened some of the public into supporting him. -
March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister
A political march on Rome prodded the king to give Mussolini the chance to be prime minister, which he accepted and immediately began climbing the political ladder. The photo was chosen because it shows Mussolini leading the political rebellion that ended up getting him elected as prime minister, emphasizing how he was able to manipulate the public. -
Acerbo Law passed
By the Acerbo Law, two-thirds of the seats in parliament were given to the party with the most popularity; Mussolini used this law to gain more political influence by legal means.The photo displays Mussolini in power, and the Acerbo Law only helped him climb higher on the political ladder. His influence helped him gain support and pass policies that increased his power. -
Corfu Incident
Greece and Italy were involved in a diplomatic crisis in which Italian blood was spilled in Greece; as an act of defiance, Mussolini displayed the Italy’s power to garner support for himself and nationalism for Italy.The image was chosen because it shows where the events of the Corfu incident took place, which is important because it also shows where Mussolini got Italy involved globally and how he often failed at his expeditions. -
Aventine Secession
As a result of Matteotti’s death, politicians betrayed the Fascist Party by boycotting parliament in order to get Mussolini out of the government because they felt that a more fascist leader was needed.The image was chosen because it shows the massive crowds that gathered to oppose Mussolini, which articulates how he had lost their trust due to the Matteotti Crisis and other self-preserving actions. -
Matteotti Crisis
Matteotti, a politician, spoke against Mussolini, which ended in his abduction and death. This incident brought much backlash toward Mussolini, and he blamed the Ceka, his secret police force, for the crime.The image is important because it displays how Mussolini tried to cover up the Matteotti Crisis by selling out his own forces in order to remain in a positive light. He lost trust of the public by handling the crisis in this manner. -
Battle for Grain
Mussolini launched a series of campaigns, one of which pushed farmers to grow more grain in order to garner support and make Italy less dependent on foreign imports. The Battle for Grain failed because it resulted in a depletion of other resources that Italy needed.The image displays how Italian farms began revolving around grain, which was significant because it caused more opposition to Mussolini due to a lack of needed resources and a surplus of grain. -
Locarno Treaty signed
Italy signed this treaty because it got a very small amount of land compared to what it was promised, which is why Italy fought against the Allies in WWII.The photo was chosen because it depicts a group of non-Italian leaders, which shows how Italy always felt excluded in these treaty conferences; this was only accelerated by the fact that Italy continuously failed to receive what had been given to it in the treaties. -
Battle for Births
A campaign to increase the population in hopes of a larger army that would ultimately expand the Italian empire. During this time, fascists promoted early marriage, gave maternity benefits, encouraged women not to work and prioritized fathers over single men. The picture signifies the goals Mussolini tried to achieve through this. -
Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira-
Mussolini launched Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira because he believed that Italian farmers needed more available land and the Lira currency needed to be revalued. The results were a damaged economy, increased export prices, and very little cleared land.The image displays a tense crowd surrounding Mussolini, expressing the frustration that his battle caused an increase in unemployment and a decrease in money value. -
Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed
Treaty between the USA and other nations, including Italy, that solidified their renunciation of war as a method of ending disputes. The picture presents an idea of how the treaty was international, since many nations were involved, and therefore important. -
Lateran Treaty with Pope
The treaty was part of the three Lateran agreements that ended the hostility between the Italian state and the papacy. The treaty gave the pope government bonds and 1750 million lire as payment for Rome. The picture signifies how both sides decided to sign and end the bitterness between them. -
Abyssinian Crisis
Started by Mussolini accusing the Abyssinians of causing violence at the Wal Wal oasis, causing him to send troops positioned in Eritrea and Somaliland to attack Abyssinia. The Italian army later invaded Abyssinia in October 1935. The picture shows how the Italian army was more violent and advanced compared to the Abyssinians. -
Stresa Front
Agreement between Britain, France, and Italy to disprove of Adolf Hitler's decision to militarize Germany. The picture implies that the nations were fighting conflict together, signifying their total power. -
Italian Involvement with Spanish Civil War
Mussolini agreed to aid the Spanish Nationalists during the Spanish Civil War since they promised to allow Italian bases in Spain when there was a war with France. Mussolini sent Spain numerous weapons, including bombs, aircrafts, and machine-guns. The picture shows how Italy handed weapons and aid to Spain. -
Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty Signed
The treaty was created by Italian foreign minister Galeazzo Ciano to form a coalition between Germany and Italy and connect the two fascist nations. The picture shows Hitler and Mussolini shaking hands, symbolizing the agreement between the nations. -
Munich Conference
Agreement between Germany, Italy, France, and Great Britain that allowed the German annexation of Sudetenland. It also demanded Czechoslovakia to give up its defenses to Germany. The picture shows the support of the nations toward Germany. -
Italy Invades Albania
A short military offensive against Albania motivated by Italy's previous failure to keep occupying Southern Albania during WWI. Another motivation was the fact that Italy felt submissive to Germany as Hitler annexed Austria and headed for Czechoslovakia.The picture signifies how Albania was vulnerable to Italy. -
Italy Enters WWII on the Side of Germany
Italy joined the war on Germany's side because it wanted territorial gains. Moreover, the fact that France had weakened motivated Mussolini. The picture signifies that Italy was reliant on Germany during the war. -
Mussolini Brought Down by Coup During WWII
Mussolini was voted out of power by the Fascist Grand Council because of the military drawbacks in May and July 1943. He was then arrested and detained. The picture shows his mugshot, signifying how he was easily and peacefully removed from power. -
Mussolini killed
On April 28th, 1945, Mussolini was killed in the village of Giulino di Mezzegra in northern Italy during the final days of WWII. Mussolini and his mistress were captured by two Italian soldiers as they were attempting to flee to Switzerland. This image depicts Mussolini posing for a photo and is significant as it portrays how he wanted to be remembered following his death.
