Foreign Policies

Question 1

How far did Mussolini achieve his aims in foreign policy?

Answer 1

Mussolini proclaimed in 1925 that he wanted to make Italy “great, respected and feared”. As such war was an essential part of Mussolini’s foreign policy.

Exam Board Specification: Corfu Incident, Locarno, Kellogg-Briand, Stresa Front, Abyssinia crisis, Spanish Civil War, Rome-Berlin Axis, Pact of Steel, Albania, Second World War and defeat

Question 2

Aims of Policy

Answer 2

• Establish empire - gain colonies in Africa especially Abyssinia and gain control of the Balkans
• Increase popularity and prestige by being involved in pacts and treaties alongside Britain and France
• Gain domination of the Mediterranean which was controlled by Britian at the time
• Become a great power in Europe and be respected by Britain and France
• Build up an army so an empire could be built and so that Italy was prepared for a war

Question 3

Abyssinia and Spanish Civil War

Answer 3

• Abyssinia:

Wal Wal Incident in December 1934 - Abyssinian and Italin soldiers fight and there are several deaths
Mussolini demanded compensation from the Abyssinian for the deaths of 32 Italian soldiers
italy invaded on the 3rd October 1935
Resulted in the Hoare-Laval Pact - Italy receives Northern Abyssinia and economic control of the South

• Spanish Civil War:

Mussolini sent aid to General Franco (90 aircrafts etc)
In 1936 the Italian government signed a secret treaty with the Spanish Nationalists promising military aid in return for bases in Spain in the event of a war with France
A failed offensive at Guadalajara results in the deaths of 400 soldiers and the wounding of 1800 more
As a result Italy appears unprepared for a large scale conflict