Mussolini Timeline

Formation of an Independent Italy

Mar 17, 1861

The image of four puzzle pieces connecting symbolizes the formation of an independent Italian State because it shows multiple different blocks connecting to each other, much like how the various states in the Italian peninsula united and connected under the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

Papal States Taken Over by the New Nation of Italy

Sep 20, 1870

The image of an alarm clock ringing symbolizes the Kingdom of Italy taking over the Papal States because alarm clocks represent the ending of a time period, much like how the annexation of the Papal States marked the end of Papal temporal rule.

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

Mar 1, 1896

The image chosen represents the failure of First Italo-Ethiopian War because it shows a man running away, much like the Italians when they fled from Ethiopia during the Battle of Adowa.

D’Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1904

a group of armed men to seized the city of Fiume (modern-day Rijeka, Croatia) without government approval

Italy invades and takes over Libya

Oct 18, 1912

The image symbolizes Italy’s invasion of Libya because it shows a man stealing something, much like the Italians taking the Ottoman-owned land of Libya during the Italo-Turkish War.

Mussolini begins work as editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

Nov 1, 1912

The chosen image represents Mussolini becoming the editor of Avanti because it shows a graph with a positive trend, much like Avanti and socialism therein becoming much more popular with Mussolini at the helm.

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

Oct 20, 1914

The chosen image symbolizes Mussolini being kicked out of Socialist Party because it shows somebody being forcefully removed from a place, much like Mussolini was removed for his pro-nationalist viewpoints.

Treaty of London (1915)

Apr 26, 1915

The picture chosen symbolizes the 1915 Treaty of London because it shows somebody with multiple possible different paths to take, much like the Treaty of London when the Allied Powers favored the territorial interests of Balkan nations upon the war’s end.

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

Nov 9, 1918

the official Fascist Party, created to organize the movement politically and contest elections.

Fascio di Combattimento formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

original Fascist movement founded by Benito Mussolini in March 1919. made up of ex-soldiers, nationalists, and anti-socialists

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

Jul 1, 1919

The image chosen symbolizes the beginning of the Biennio Rosso because it shows a fist in the air, symbolic of social unrest. The image is therefore appropriate as it is symbolic of the social unrest that dominates the Bienno Rosso.

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti

May 15, 1921

Mussolini allied with Giovanni Giolitti, a liberal politician gave the Fascists legitimacy and seats in parliament

March on Rome and Mussolini becomes Prime Minister

Oct 28, 1922

October 1922, thousands of Fascist supporters marched on Rome to demand power.

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

Mussolini bombarded and occupied the island of Corfu.

Acerbo Law passed

Nov 18, 1923

stated that the party with the most votes (if over 25%) would automatically get two-thirds of the seats in parliament

Matteotti Crisis

Jun 10, 1924

socialist Matteotti, was murdered after criticizing Fascist violence and electoral fraud

Aventine Secession

Jun 26, 1924

This image shows the official establishment of withdrawal of the parliament opposition amongst the higher ups of the different political parties.

Battle for Grain

Jun 20, 1925

A propaganda campaign launched in 1925, aiming for self-sufficiency in wheat production and freeing Italy from “slavery of foreign bread”. This image shows the long-term development after this campaign of the wheat production in Italy.

Locarno Treaty signed

Dec 1, 1925

This image depicts the occurrence of the Locarno Treaty being negotiated and then signed, showing how significant this treaty was to assert peace and stability post WW1.

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

Jul 18, 1926

This image shows the execution of the Fascist group, trying to signify Italy as a greater power and to improve Italy as whole, demonstrating their dedication for the economic policies of Italy during the 1920s

Battle for Births

May 26, 1927

This image was used as propaganda for the aims of the Battle for Births because the main objective was to increase the population of Italy, and the babies depicted in the image represent an increase in birth in Italy.

Kellogg-Briand Treaty Signed

Aug 27, 1928

This photo signifies the treaty as many government officials of the European countries (Italy, France, Britain, etc.) compromised to outlaw war to avoid another conflict like WW1.

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Feb 11, 1929

This photo shows the official establishment of when the Pope received full sovereignty of the Vatican.

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

This image depicts the countries (blue) who were apart of the Stresa agreement that were against Germany (brown), signifying how harsh and violating Hitler’s intentions as many countries sought to counter them.

Abyssisian Crisis

Oct 3, 1935

The graphic shows the Italian control of land surrounding Ethiopia before Ethiopia was annexed by Italy and encompassed into their territory.

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty signed

Oct 25, 1936

This image depicts the Rome-Berlin Axis agreement, in the photo Mussolini and Hitler can be seen shaking hands following the signing of the treaty.

Italian involvement with Spanish Civil War

Jul 1, 1938

This photograph depicts a piece of media that was used to influence Italians into thinking that Italy was supporting the right side of the Spanish Civil War.

Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

The photograph show the land that was given to Germany following the Munich Conference

Italy invades Albania

Mar 7, 1939

This photo shows the Invasion of Albania by Italy on April 7, 1939, the photo shows vehicles and the Fascist Italy flag flying in the foreground.

Italy enters WW II on side of Germany

Jun 1, 1940

This picture shows Italian forces switching sides during the Second World War, in the photograph, the soldiers are surrendering to the other side.

Mussolini brought down by coup during WW II

Jul 25, 1942

This photograph shows the newspaper that released the day that Mussolini was taken out of power.

Mussolini Killed

Apr 28, 1945

This photograph depicts an art piece of the bodies of Benito Mussolini and his wife Claretta Petacci hung outside a gas station.