Timeline (Big Benito)

1923
A train Benito Mussolini is riding swerves off the crash. A few civilians die, and Mussolini himself is badly injured. He miraculously pulls through with a new attitude and a new lease on life. Benito's first order after the crash is to make the railroads and transportation hubs safer and easier. He explores easier and cheaper ways to build rails.

1924
Mussolini proposes to the Council of Fascists that being more benificial to civilians makes them more willing to help and contribute to the nation as a whole. At first they don't buy it, but after several generous donations from wealthy citizens, they agree. The first act is to create a civilian wellfare program. This causes a great strain on the economy, but Mussolini has more ideas.

1925
Stalin takes an interst in Mussolini's rapidly developing empire. Italy in general was opposed to communism, and refused to ally with the Soviets. Austria, still in ruin from WW1, requests to be annexed by Italy. Mussolini, wishing to expand his empire, agrees instantly. France and Britain don't like the idea of a potentially aggressive country in Europe becoming too powerful. Mussolini promises that he won't try anything tricky. It isn't bought.

1926
Italy starts welfare programs in it's African colonies. The guerrila war in Libya begins to dwindle and eventually stop altogether. Mussolini begins a program similar to the Homestead Act which promises a house and plot of land to anyone willing to migrate to one of the colonies. The program is succesful, but Mussolini's advisors tell him that the economy is rapidly dwindling, and he should just stop giving away money. Mussolini says he will consider it.

1929
The Great Depression starts. This puts even more strain on Italy. Germany to the north is even poorer and is dwindling rapidly. Depression hits Europe like a flying brick. Prospectors in Libya find huge oil reserves. This provides Italy with a massive economic reboost. The surrounding countries such as Albania and Yugoslavia are suffering from the depression as well, and begin to consider joining the Italian Empire as well. Mussolini finds this idea appealing and invites them.

1933
A new dictator in Germany rises to power. Mussolini can tell that Hitler is nothing but trouble. An Italian puppet political party in Germany siezes power from the Nazis when Hitler reveals his hate of Jews. France, Britain, and the whole world are shocked when Germany is taken over by Italy. Thousands of Germans are extremely pleased, though. The wealth of Italy's oil industry could greatly increase Germany's economy. Barely anybody actually does anything about it, though. Albania requests to join the Italian Empire. This request goes unnoticed for now, though.

1936
Yugoslavia and Albania join the Italian Empire by overthrowing their respective leaders. A small portion of Yugoslavian rebels flee into the mountains and establish a communist regime. This northeastern third of Yugoslavia is recognized by Italy and most of Europe. The council of facsist renames Italy as the New Roman Empire. Mussolini is the Emperor's high aide. King Emmanuel III is still technicly the emperor. France begins to get worried about the rapidly growing Roman Empire.

1939
The Soviet Union invades Poland. France and the UK declare war of Stalin. Italy follows after a week of decision making. Stalin declares that the Soviets have waited long enough to expand and spread Communism. Czechoslovakia is invaded by the Soviets from the east. Mussolini has been creating better tanks and weapons for years and surprises the Soviet with a superior arsenal.

1941
The Romans have forced Stalin out of western Poland, almost all of Czechoslovakia. The Balkans are almost all under Allied control. Turkey and Romania have allied with the Soviets in hope of gaining more land. Turkish Europe and Bulgaria are under Roman control. Hungary is also split between the Romans and the Soviets. Japan declares itself as an ally of Rome and siezes Kuril, the Siberian coast, and the Kamchatka peninsula. This adds to Japanese mainland colonies such as Manchuria and Korea. Mussolini promises that the Romans need not fear Soviet aggression. Thousands of grateful citizens join the army to fight off the communists. A masssive "lighting war" is preparing to push the Soviets back.