Diplomacy: TWE was Italian foreign policy aggressive in the interwar years?

Question 1

Intro/thesis

Answer 1

Aims:
-To gain more territory and respect and to be a dominant power in the Mediterranean

-He sought expansion of the Italian Empire in Africa and to bring the Balkans into Italy’s sphere of influence

-Although Mussolini’s foreign policy in the 1920s was relatively peaceful, it was evident that he only used cooperation as a means of securing future ambitions for expansion.

-When cooperation failed, he would turn to force. There is no evidence that his attempts at cooperation were actually rooted in a desire for international peace, but rather a tactic at maintaining relations to achieve Italian dominance.

-1930s:

Question 2

Paragraphs

Answer 2

-Aggressive in 1920s

-Not aggressive in 1920s

-Aggressive in 1930s

Question 3

Aggressive in 1920s- examples

Answer 3

-Corfu Incident 1923: After an Italian General was assassinated in Greece, Mussolini occupied and bombed Corfu. Mussolini agreed to withdraw, on the condition that Greece paid it financial compensation.

-Mussolini’s aggression was most marked in his actions in Africa, with the brutal crushing of the Libyan Revolt between 1922 and 28.

Question 4

Aggressive in 1920s- explanation

Answer 4

-The occupation of Corfu was violent and forceful, displaying Mussolini’s fascism and exposing Italy’s desire for expansionism. Although it became clear that Mussolini could bully smaller countries, the Council of Ambassadors was still able to force Italy out of Corfu.

Question 5

Not aggressive in 1920s- examples

Answer 5

-Mussolini had worked with the international community at Locarno in 1925 and had signed the Kellog-Briand Pact in 1928, which renounced war as a tool of diplomacy

-In August 1928, Italy signed the Treaty of Friendship with Abyssinina, with the goal of settling differences in East Africa and promising that any dispute would be solved through mediation

Question 6

Not aggressive in 1920s- explanation

Answer 6

-Mussolini managed to secure peaceful relations with Abyssinia in the short term.

-However, he later invaded Abyssinia in 1935, using extremely violent and barbaric methods.

-Also, much of Mussolini’s willingness to cooperate with Albania in the Locarno Treaties was motivated by his interests in Yugoslavia (and he later invaded Albania in 1939)

Question 7

Aggressive in 1930s- examples

Answer 7

-Invasion of Abyssinia (1935): Italy invaded Abyssinia to conquer new territory. Mussolini employed severe military tactics, such as chemical warfare, which had been outlawed after WW1. Italy was able to utilize the region for economic gain, extracting its raw materials.

-Invasion of Albania in April 1939 to emulate Hitler’s success in Czechoslovakia in March and to pursue his goal of controlling the Adriatic sea

Question 8

Aggressive in 1930s- explanation & historiography

Answer 8

-The invasion of Abyssinia increased Mussolin’s prestige in Italy (wanted to return Italy to Roman Empire) and this showed tha the could fulfil his promises of returning Italy to its former glory.

-By taking over Albania, Mussolini was able to pursue his expansioniist policy. This was largely fueled by the knowledge of the likely reactions of other European nations (appeasement and Great Depression)

-Denis Mack Smith: Mussolini’s foreign policy style was that of a bully rather than a negotiator. He was not concerned with reducing international animosities and his involvement in the Treaties was performative.

-Patricia Knights: Mussolini’s methods were impulsive and inconsistent and he valued prestige more than anything (including territory)