Benito Mussolini Biography

Italian forces occupy Corfu during a League crisis.

Mussolini joins the final stage of the Locarno Conference as Italy prepares to become a guarantor power.

Italy also becomes a guarantor of Belgium's security against a prohibited German attack across their common border.

Mussolini accepts an Italian obligation to support the settlement fixing the western boundary between France and Germany.

A decree restores convertibility of Bank of Italy notes into gold or gold-convertible foreign currency.

Launches the invasion of Ethiopia despite League obligations.

League sanctions fail to reverse Italy's conquest of Ethiopia.

Italy leaves the League after the Abyssinia sanctions dispute.

Mussolini relayed a request for Hitler to postpone military action and proposed a four-power conference.

Mussolini presented proposals closely reflecting German demands and acted publicly as a mediator.

Mussolini signed the agreement and its annexes concerning guarantees and minority questions.

Mussolini orders the invasion of Albania to expand Italian control across the Adriatic

Mussolini incorporates Albania into the Italian sphere under the Savoy crown

Declares war on Britain and France, making Egypt and the Suez Canal a strategic objective for Italian forces in Libya.