Mussolini Timeline

Formation of an Independent Italy

Mar 17, 1861

This photo displays Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia, the first King of Italy declared on 17 March 1861. With his proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy, the independent Italian state was formed. This photo perfectly exemplifies the formation of an independent Italy as it illustrates the individual, King Emmanuel II, under which unification --termed "risogimento" at the time -- took place.
(Marcus)

Papal States taken over by the new nation of Italy

1870

I chose this picture for the Papal States being taken over by Italy because of the visualization that the reader receives of what was annexed by Italy. It gives even more context as it displays what was annexed earlier in 1860 as well. It shows this in order to give the reader a sense of what Italy looked like before.
(Evan)

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

Mar 1, 1896

This image is significant because Emperor Negus Menelik II is portrayed like many European war heroes, upon a horse with his valiant army.
(Thomas)

Italy Invades and Takes Over Libya

Sep 29, 1911

I chose this photo as it displays a moment from when Mussolini was visiting Libya. In this photo there are Libyan children in very different outfits than other colonial youth groups, there is also an absence of any fascist badges. I think this photo is important because it shows the clear, negative Libyan reaction and also how the Libyan people had to assimilate to fascism and Italian "culture" at the time.
(Kayla)

Mussolini Begins to Work as Editor for the Socialist Party newspaper Avanti

1912

This photo shows an Avanti! newspaper edition from early 1915. This image perfectly represents Mussolini's work as editor of the socialist newspaper Avanti! since the text of the newspaper takes a dim view of the war which is the accepted socialist view of WW1 -- a view Mussolini shared during his time as an Avanti! socialist. Thus, this photo shows Mussolini's initial anti-war views -- views he shared with the socialist party as he began working as editor of Avanti!
(Marcus)

Mussolini Kicked Out of Socialist Party for Pro-Nationalistic Sentiments regarding WWI

1914

I chose this photo because it expresses the reason behind why Mussolini was kicked out of the socialist party with a meme. It makes a play on words and it uses the word, "impasta", as a fill in for the word, "impostor". It does this because Mussolini was seen as a traitor when he made pro-war sentiments in the Socialist Party which is not a socialist value.
(Evan)

Treaty of London

Apr 26, 1915

This image is an accurate representation of the Treaty of London as it displays the lands gifted to Italy in the event that the Entente won the war. However, when the Entente did win, Italy only gained south Tyrol and the regions directly east of Rijeka, leading to discontent.
(Thomas)

Beginning of Biennio Rosso

1919

I think this photo is important because it shows the severity of the "Biennio Rosso" with an armed solider occupying a factory. I think it displays how unstable Italy was at this time due to the economic crisis following the war.
(Kayla)

Fascio di Combattimento Formed in Milan

Mar 23, 1919

This image perfectly represents the formation of the Fascio di Combattimento on 23 March 1919 because it displays the Fascio di Combattimentos' identifying symbol. With a bundle of sticks representing national unity and strength, and the axe representing the use of such strength to project national importance. By demonstrating these foundational principles behind the Fascio di Combattimento, this image accurately portrays the formaiton of the Fascio in Milan in early 1919.
(Marcus)

D'Annunzio takes Fiume

Sep 12, 1919

I chose this picture because of how it displays D'Annunzio taking Fiume. It is a photo taken by a camera in 1919 with the men seeming like they are posing for a photo in order to express the collaboration between them.
(Evan)

Mussolini forms alliance with Giolitti

May 15, 1921

(Date chosen is the 1921 May elections in Italy, as the exact date that the national bloc was formed is ambiguous). In order to keep the socialists at bay, Giolitti and Mussolini create a National Anti-Socialist Bloc, and gain 35 seats in the 1921 election. This image highlights the distinct differences in each leader, with Mussolini Taking an aggressive stance, and Giolitti being stern, yet approachable.
(Thomas)

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

Nov 9, 1921

This photo for this event is an Italian propaganda poster promising a return to Italian East Africa. I think this is important because it conveys the nationalistic ideals of Italian fascism - it is a significant photo to display the Italian perspective.
(Kayla)

March on Rome and Mussolini Becomes Prime Minister

Oct 29, 1922

The image below perfectly represents Mussolini's March on Rome and appointment as Prime Minister because it conveys the non-revolutionary manner in which Mussolini gained power. Portraying Mussolini and "his boys" - meaning his close allies - establishing their by simply standing together, this image demonstrates how there was no major, bloody revolution in Rome which put Mussolini in power. Instead, it was political maneuvering and favorable odds that made Mussolini Prime Minister.
(Marcus)

Acerbo Law Passed

1923

This picture was chosen because of how it shows Giacomo Acerbo in an intimidating pose in order to show the power of the Acerbo Law. It is in black and white with a background of what seems to be a light wall.
(Evan)

Corfu Incident

Aug 31, 1923

An Italian General was assassinated on disputed territory, and blaming the Greeks, Italy bombarded and occupied the Island of Corfu. This image depicts Mussolini as a grand Roman-Style leader; this reflects the public opinion of the time because it marks the first time that Italy was feared among the other great powers.
(Thomas)

Aventine Secession

1924

This image accurately represents the Aventine Secession in mid-1924 since it displays an image of the Aventine Hill of Rome -- a hill traditionally used by plebeians protesting the current form of government. With the historical context of the minority climbing this hill to protest the current government, this image of Aventine Hill shows the circumstances of the Socialists, Liberals, and Populari in the Italian House of Deputies protesting Mussolini's one-party state.
(Marcus)

Matteotti Crisis

May 30, 1924

The photo chosen was a political cartoon by French artist, Jean-Louis Chancel, depicting Mussolini sitting on the casket of Matteotti. This photo is important as it displays an outside perspective on the Matteotti crisis.
(Kayla)

Battle for Grain

1925

Mussolini, with his autarkic policies, wanted to free the Italian people from the "slavery of foreign bread." This propaganda piece shows how "for the people" Mussolini is, and gives reassurance to the people of Italy as to the success of his plan.
(Thomas)

Locarno Treaty Signed

Dec 1, 1925

This photo was chosen because of how it displays the coordinators of the law sitting down and attempting to pass the Locarno Treaties. They seem to be in an intimidating pose in order to show the significance of the Locarno Treaties in repairing the missteps of the Paris Peace Conference. However, it is clear that Italy does not have significant power here.
(Evan)

Battle for Land and Battle for the Lira

1926

The photo chosen is a newspaper talking about Italy's battles (i.e., Land, grain, etc.) and it is significant because it is an insider perspective from the Italian people (who were most affected by this battle) which gives insight into their thoughts about said battle.
(Kayla)

Battle for Births

1927

The image below -- showing a medal Italian women received for having the most children in a region -- perfectly represents Mussolini's "Battle for Births" as it displays the significant incentivization women received to have more children. During Mussolini's Battle for Births, policies were introduced to force women to stay home and have more children. The medal pictured below is one of the measures Mussolini introduced to incentivize women.
(Marcus)

Kellogg-Briand Treaty

Aug 27, 1928

This picture is valuable in portraying the Kellogg-Briand Treaty because it shows how minimal this treaty was in its efforts to limit war altogether. Its short, minimal nature conveys how weak it was in enforcing the agreements meant to limit war.
(Thomas)

Lateran Treaty with Pope

Jun 7, 1929

This photo was chosen because of the way it presents important figures discussing the Lateran Treaty and attempting to have a discourse about the positives and the negatives of the treaty. The Pope is seen there having an active role in the creation of the treaty which lends the photo credibility.
(Evan)

Abyssinian Crisis

1935

This political cartoon accurately represents the Abyssinian Crisis because it displays the League of Nations (police officer) physically punishing Italy (Mussolini's caricature) for attempting to invade Ethiopia/Abyssinia (right). The consequences of Italy's actions (seen in the officer's staff) were economic sanctions. Thus, this image is valuable in portraying Italy's desire to invade Abyssinia, and the League of Nations' punishing sanctions. This crisis occurred throughout 1935.
(Marcus)

Stresa Front

Apr 14, 1935

The photo is of a map of the states of the Stresa conference and Nazi Germany. I think this map practically important as it gives a layout of where things happened, and works to provide impactful information.
(Kayla)

Italian Involvement in Spanish Civil War

Jul 27, 1936

Italy wanting to spread the fascists ideology to a vulnerable Spain, intervened on the side of the nationalists with aid and men. This image depicts two figures of Winnie the Pooh, the weaker referencing Italy's general tactics, but the stronger referencing the effectiveness of Italy's aid to Spain. This illuminates the significance of the aid and helps show a lack of continuity in Mussolini's planning.
(Thomas)

Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty Signed

Oct 25, 1936

This photo was chosen because of how it shows the partnership between Italy and Germany after the Rome-Berlin Axis Treaty was signed. The significance of this is that it symbolizes what happened because of the alliance between Italy and Germany.
(Evan)

Munich Conference

Sep 30, 1938

This image is of Neville Chamberlain, Édouard Daladier, Adolf Hitler, and Benito Mussolini right before signing the Munich Agreement. I see this photo as important as it almost represents the variation of the present nation's view on the agreement through how they look in the photo. I.e., Hitler is front and center, and everyone stands around him, not as posed.
(Kayla)

Italy Invades Albania

Apr 7, 1939

This image represents the Italian invasion of Albania in early-1939 as it shows Italian vehicles and the Italian Imperial flag flying over the streets of Tirana. By demonstrating Italian domination of Albania during its invasion, this photo shows Italian ambitions to invade Albania in search for imperial might and national power. By showing the subjugation of Albania under Italy, this photo is valuable for showing Italian imperial intentions.
(Marcus)

Italy Enters War on Side of Germany

Jun 10, 1940

This photo was chosen because it portrays an article that expresses how Italy has entered World War 2. It indicates that Italy has invaded France which implies that Italy has entered World War 2 on the side of Nazi Germany.
(Evan)

Mussolini Brought Down By Coup in WW2

Jul 25, 1943

This image shows the wide open park where Mussolini was deposed by a coup and arrested during WW2. It is symbolic because he always claimed to love rural areas, and he ends his practical carrier here, in a green space. Although he was later saved by the Germans, the symbol remains.
(Thomas)

Mussolini Killed

Apr 28, 1945

The chosen photo is a picture of Mussolini's tomb taken in 2014. I chose this photo because it displays what was important to Mussolini during his life, and all of his pitfalls and accomplishments. This photo just does a good job at conveying who and what Mussolini was.
(Kayla)