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The Roman Empire was a powerful civilization that spanned from 27 BCE to 476 CE. Beginning as a republic, it transitioned into an empire under Augustus Caesar. The empire expanded through military conquests, reaching its height of territorial control across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. It experienced periods of prosperity and cultural achievement during the Pax Romana but also faced challenges such as political instability, invasions, and economic decline. The empire eventually split into the Western Roman Empire, which fell in 476 CE, and the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire), which endured for centuries. The Roman Empire left a lasting legacy in law, architecture, language, and culture.

Benito Mussolini was heavily influenced by the Roman Empire. Drawing inspiration from ancient Rome, Mussolini sought to establish a fascist regime and viewed himself as a modern-day Roman leader. He utilized Roman symbolism and imagery, adopting the title "Il Duce" and incorporating the fasces emblem into the Fascist Party's symbolism. Mussolini aimed to revive Italy's greatness, emulating the centralized power and authoritarian rule of ancient Roman emperors. He pursued public works projects, sought territorial expansion, and envisioned a new Roman Empire under fascist control. The influence of the Roman Empire on Mussolini's ideology and aspirations played a significant role in shaping his leadership and policies.

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Italy was separated into many smaller states such as Tuscany, Sicily, Rome, and Vatican City. They were united in 1848 and the Catholic-Rome was the last city to agree to the unification. At this point, Italy was split into Northern and Southern Italy. Southern Italy was comparatively more rural and poor, having an agricultural-based economy.

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1890 - Rome declared as the Italian Capital

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1890 - Rome declared as the Italian Capital

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Looking to get a piece of the African "pie", Italy tried to conquer Ethiopia, the only uncolonized African region at that point. However, 7000 Italian men were killed, and this became an embarrassing failure for Italian foreign policy. This event later became the motivation for Mussolini's pursuit of foreign policy.

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Secret treaty between neutral Italy and the Allied forces of France, Britain, and Russia (The Triple Entante) to bring Italy into World War I. The Allies wanted Italy's participation because of its border with Austria.

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Italy was promised major gains by the Allies (France, Britain, Russia) in this treaty which was signed in secret

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Oct 1917 - Italy is defeated by Austria-Hungary in the Battle of Caporetto

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Oct 1917 - Italy is defeated by Austria-Hungary in the Battle of Caporetto

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Italy suffered from 600,000 casualties. The huge loss was not proportional to Italy's minimal gains in WW1.

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Italy does not receive the port of Fiume and Dalmatia as promised in the Treaty of London. Orlando (PM) visited Versailles to settle the issue but to no avail. He was later forced to resign.

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Disillusioned Italian troops led by D'Annunzio occupied the city of Fiume(Rijeka) in Yugoslavia. It was made a province of Italy in 1924.

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This was a conflict between the Italian Soldiers and Albanian Nationalists. Because of Italian Soldiers rioting amongst themselves and the advance of albanian troops, Italian Troops barricaded themselves in Albania. The Treaty of Tirana was later signed to end the conflict and forced Italy to withdraw troops

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Two years where left-wing socialist forces led intense social conflicts and gave rise to the violent reaction of the Facist blackshirts. 

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November 9, 1921 - Fascist Party is established by Mussolini

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November 9, 1921 - Fascist Party is established by Mussolini

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National fascist party under Benito Mussolini takes power in Italy after leading a mass demonstration in Rome

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August 2, 1928 - Italo-Ethiopian Treaty of Friendship

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August 2, 1928 - Italo-Ethiopian Treaty of Friendship

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Treaty is signed to promise to increase economic links, and refer all future disagreements to the LON

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Conflict between Italian and Abyssinia troops on border leads to the death of 30 Italian soldiers. This incident was used to justify Italian invasion into Abyssinia later.

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January, 1935 - League of Nations response to Wal Wal Incident

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January, 1935 - League of Nations response to Wal Wal Incident

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Ethiopia appeals to the League for arbitrations. In response, the League's arbitration committee absolves both parties.

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January 7, 1935 - Franco-Italian Agreement

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January 7, 1935 - Franco-Italian Agreement

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A meeting between Laval and Mussolini. France gives Italy part of French Somaliland, likely in an attempt to maintain Italian support against Germany.

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Treaty signed by Italy, the UK and France that was aimed at weakening Nazi Germany. Collapsed following the Anglo-German Naval agreement in June and the Invasion of Abyssinia in October.

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October 3, 1935 - Italian Invasion of Abyssinia 

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October 3, 1935 - Italian Invasion of Abyssinia 

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Italy invades Abyssinia with over 500,000 troops marching in from Eritrea. Advanced artillery and chemical weapons are used, and the Abyssinians are easily overcome.

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November 1935 - LON imposes ineffective sanctions 

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November 1935 - LON imposes ineffective sanctions 

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Limited sanctions of arms embargo, prohibition of loans, embargo on imports from Italy, and embargo on exports of materials that could help Italy’s military efforts. However, they did not impose an oil embargo or close the Suez Canal for use.

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A secret pact made between Hoare, the British foreign minister, and Laval, the French foreign minister. Hoare and Laval agreed to give Mussolini two thirds of Abyssinia, to get him to call off the invasion.

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1936 May - Italy takes control of Addis Ababa

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1936 May - Italy takes control of Addis Ababa

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On 5 May, Italy occupied Addis Ababa - the Abyssinian capital. A few days prior to this, on 2 May, Haile Selassie, the Ethiopian Emperor was exiled. By 9 May, Italy took over the entire Abyssinia.

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Alliance formed between Germany and Italy. Germany recognises Italy, the state that they will work together during the Spanish Civil War. (Informal linkage between the two fascist countries)

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1936 July – Start of the Spanish Civil War

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1936 July – Start of the Spanish Civil War

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Nationalists start a military coup lead by Francisco Franco. As news spreads more nationalists join the fight and a civil war breaks out, Spain dividing into Nationalist and Republican zones. Nationalists had the support of Germany and Italy while the USSR supported Republicans.

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Jan 1937 - 2800 Americans are sent to join the Republicans

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Jan 1937 - 2800 Americans are sent to join the Republicans

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These troops were called the Lincoln Battalion who volunteered to the Spanish Civil War fighting under the international Brigade or the communists

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The Spanish Nationalists led by Franco invades the capital Barcelona, forcing a surrender from the communists via surrender on March 28.

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1939 April – Italy's invasion on Albania

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1939 April – Italy's invasion on Albania

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Hitler annexed Austria and invaded Czechoslovakia that March so Mussolini decided to annex Albania to keep up in terms of power and influence. Italy asked Albania to accept money in exchange for them taking over Albania at the end of March. Its king Zog refused. Italy then invaded Albania early April. The war ended very fast (in five days).

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1939 - World War II Begins with German Invasion of Poland

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1939 - World War II Begins with German Invasion of Poland