***(4) Foreign policy, 1935-40

Question 1

When did Mussolini launch the invasion of Abyssinia?

Answer 1

October 1935

Question 2

When did the battle in Abyssinia end?

Answer 2

9 May 1936

Question 3

What was the nature of the war in Abyssinia

Answer 3

Brutal - led by Badoglio, included the use of mass aerial bombings, the murder of prisoners of war and the illegal use of chemical warfare.

Question 4

How many Abyssinians died as a result of the invasion?

Answer 4

500,000

Question 5

How many Italians were used in the war in Abyssinia?

Answer 5

400,000

Question 6

How many Italians listened to Mussolini’s radio broadcast on 9 May?

Answer 6

20 million

Question 7

How much of Abyssinia had Italy conquered?

Answer 7

1/3

Question 8

What did the League impose on Italy?

Answer 8

Economic sanctions - banned weapon sales and placed limits on imports of Italian rubber and metal. But oil was left out and Suez Canal was not closed.

Question 9

What was the Gold for Patria campaign?

Answer 9

Launched by the royal family on 18 December 1935 with Queen Elena melting down her wedding ring to help the campaign against the sanctions. Thousands of women followed. Huge propaganda opportunity.

Question 10

How did the fascists use the sanctions to their advantage?

Answer 10

Portrayed Mussolini as a leader standing up to the world and defying attempts to limit Italian power - huge propaganda coup.

Question 11

What Pact was almost signed in 1935?

Answer 11

Hoare Laval Pact - would have handed over 2/3 but public outcry in Britain and France put an end to the agreement.

Question 12

Which economic hopes were never met (Abyssinia)?

Answer 12

The hope that the colony would provide oil and other raw materials to help achieve autarky.

Question 13

How much of Italian trade went to Abyssinia?

Answer 13

Only 2% - exports never materialised

Question 14

Who supported the Abyssinian invasion?

Answer 14

The Italian people, the royal family and the Church

Question 15

How much did the lira devalue by after Abyssinia?

Answer 15

40%

Question 16

What did the budget deficit rise to after Abyssinia?

Answer 16

2.5 billion lire -> 16 billion lire

Question 17

How was Mussolini perceived abroad after Abyssinia?

Answer 17

A threat to peace

Question 18

How was Mussolini perceived by Italians after Abyssinia?

Answer 18

A new Caesar expanding the Italian empire - established Italy as a great power.

Question 19

What was a negative long term consequence of the sanctions placed by the LoN?

Answer 19

Italy became more and more economically dependent on Germany for trade.

Question 20

When did Mussolini enter the Spanish Civil War?

Answer 20

July 1936

Question 21

Whose side did Mussolini enter the SCW on?

Answer 21

Franco - led the RW forces

Question 22

How many troops did Mussolini send to fight in Spain?

Answer 22

50,000

Question 23

How many planes did Mussolini sent to fight in Spain?

Answer 23

600

Question 24

When did the SCW end?

Answer 24

1939

Question 25

What were casualties as a result of the SCW?

Answer 25

3,266 soldiers died, 11,000 wounded

Question 26

How much did the SCW cost Italy? What did this lead to?

Answer 26

14 billion lire, severe disruptions to the Italian economy - required an increase in taxes for the Italian people.

Question 27

What happened to Italy’s dependence on Germany after the SCW?

Answer 27

Pushed into further economic dependence.

Question 28

Which lands did Italy gain by supporting Franco?

Answer 28

None

Question 29

Was the SCW popular at home?

Answer 29

Not at all

Question 30

What happened to Italy’s relationship with B+F as a result of the SCW?

Answer 30

Continued to deteriorate.

Question 31

What evidence is there of the British still wanting to come to an agreement with Italy in 1937?

Answer 31

Signed a Gentleman’s Agreement which preserved the status quo in the Mediterranean.

Question 32

When was the Rome Berlin Axis signed?

Answer 32

1936 - informal agreement

Question 33

When was the Anti-Comintern Pact signed?

Answer 33

November 1937 - Italy, Germany and Japan

Question 34

What did Mussolini do in December 1937?

Answer 34

Withdrew from the League of Nations

Question 35

What event in 1938 undermined Mussolini’s authority?

Answer 35

Hitler began the process of Anschluss in March without having consulted Mussolini - junior partner in the alliance.

Question 36

What did Mussolini do in November 1938?

Answer 36

Recalled parliament and demanded the annexation of Nice, Corsica and Tunis from France. He made it clear he wished to dominate the Mediterranean.

Question 37

Where did Mussolini invade in April 1939?

Answer 37

Albania

Question 38

What did the invasion of Albania 1939 show?

Answer 38

Weakness of the Italian army - troops disorganised. Pushed Italy further away from B+F. Did show M’s power to Germany.

Question 39

What confirmed the German-Italian alliance?

Answer 39

Signing of the Pact of Steel in May 1939.

Question 40

What was strange about the terms of the Pact of Steel?

Answer 40

It committed Italy to support Germany in any case of war, even if Germany had chosen to do so.

Question 41

What did Ribbentrop tell Ciano about Germany’s plans for war?

Answer 41

Did not intend to go to war until 1943

Question 42

When did Ribbentrop and Hitler tell Ciano that Germany was planning to attack Poland?

Answer 42

11 August 1939 - Salzburg