7: Italian Foreign Policy 1922-1939 Flashcards
Timeline of Diplomatic actions
1924-Italy gain Fiume 1925-Mussolini signs Locarno Treaty 1926-Albania becomes a protectorate of Italy 1933-Four Power Pact signed in Rome 1934-Dolfuss Affair 1935-Stresa Front 1937-Anti-Comintern Pact 1938-Munich Conference 1939-Pact Of Steel
Timeline of Military Actions
1923-Bombardment of Corfu 1928-32 ‘Pacification’ of Libya 1935-Invasion Of Abyssinia 1936-Participation in Spanish Civil War 1937-Withdrawal from LoN 1939-Invasion Of Albania
What were Mussolini’s Foreign Policy Aims?
1: Establish a modern Roman Empire
2: Distract Italians from bad conditions at home
3: Make up for territorial gains following WW1 and humiliation at Paris Peace
4: Acquire raw materials for industries
5: Expand to show national greatness
Successes and failures of the Corfu Incident Of 1923
Successes: Mussolini’s actions of bombarding Corfu and occupying it was celebrated. Received 50 million lire from Greece if they agreed to leave
Failures: LoN demands Italy leave and Mussolini was forced to accept his lack of power compared to France and Britain
Successes and failures of Fiume 1924
Successes: Yugoslavia agreed to recognise Fiume as part of Italy. Proved Mussolini to be stronger than the previous liberal government
Failures: However Yugoslavia agreed to this in return for Italy recognising Susak as Yugoslavia’s land
Successes and failures of the Locarno Pact Of 1925
Successes: As being invited to such an important European meeting showed the Italian people and Mussolini that Italy was being accepted as equal to the Great Powers
Failures: Mussolini wanted to make negotiations on Italy and Austria’s borders but had failed
Successes and failures of the Four Power Pact Of 1933
Successes: brought international prestige to Mussolini
Failures: Never agreed to by Britain or France and Germany lost interest after Hitler game to power
How did the idea of the Anschluss with Austria effect Mussolini?
- In 1934 Mussolini negotiated with the Austrian Chancellor Dollfus to stop the Anschluss but he was assassinated
- Mussolini sent in troops to intimidate Hitler but he denied all knowledge
- Supported Austria remaining independent
What was the Stresa Front?
- 1935 meeting in Stresa
- After Hitler announced he was rearming and introducing conscription Mussolini met with Britain and France in concerns over Germany’s intentions
What are some reasons for Mussolini’s invasion of Abyssinia?
- Promote his leadership
- Unite Italian people/make them forget domestic problems
- Resources could be used to benefit economy
- Rebuild an Empire
- Make up for land they didn’t get after WW1
- Make up for defeat in Abyssinia 1896
Successes of the invasion of Abyssinia
- Mussolini shown as a strong leader and a ‘new Caesar’
- The Church bless Mussolini for ‘civilising Abyssinia’ despite most Abyssinians being Christian
- Got the respect of Hitler and they signed the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936
- Showed their military skills
Failures of the invasion of Abyssinia
- 10,000 Italian soldiers lost their lives
- Lira devalued by 40%
- Budget deficit rose from 2.5 billion to 16 billion
- Failed to find much natural/valuable resources
- Lost support from Britain and France
- 2/3 of the country still to be occupied
What were Mussolini’s aims for the Spanish Civil War?
- Stand with his new ally Hitler
- Prevent the spread of communism
- Create another Facist Government in Europe
- Demonstrate Italian military’s power
- Gain strategic advantages in Spain like a naval base or alliance
- Show he was a strong leader
How much help did Mussolini give in the Spanish Civil War?
- 75,000 troops
- 950 tanks
- 1400 pilots and 400 planes
•Compared to Germany who provides 16,000 troops and 200 tanks
How did the Spanish Civil War go?
•In 1939 Franco (Facist) emerged triumphant
