much of north-eastern Italy was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire, including many outlets to the sea. Italy tore up those territories over the course of many wars, many of which were fought before Italy itself was even unified. the last territories were conquered during the First World War. But after the war, the Allies did not respect their treaties with Italy, denying many of the promised territories and forcing them to withdraw from those possessions. This triggered the general discontent of the people towards France and England, favoring the fall of the government and the rise of Benito Mussolini.