Foreign Policy

Question 1

Where did Giolitti attack in 1911?

Answer 1

Libya

Question 2

What were Mussolini’s Foreign Policy Aims (1933-1943)?

Answer 2

• Expand across the Mediterranean
• Distract Italians from domestic problems
• Refute territorial gains from WW1/ToV
• Enforce fascist ideology/gain approval/increase power

Question 3

How succesful was the Invasion Of Abyssinia (1935)?

Answer 3

✔Hoare-Laval pact (December 1935) France willing to hand over 2/3 Abyssinia, suggesting Italy was a real threat)
✔Gold for Patria campaign, thousands of women melting their rings to show support.
✔Roughly 20 million Italians listened to Mussolini’s public radio broadcast proclaiming Italy had gained its Fascist Empire.
✘Mussolini only conquered 1/3 of Abyssinia (False victory)
✘Limited economic sanctions placed on Italy + Invasion resulted in a huge cost to Italy = Struggling economy pushed further.

Question 4

How successful was Italy’s intervention in the Spanish Civil War (July 1936)?

Answer 4

-Mussolini sent troops to fight for General Franco, whilst on the winning side, faced many costs.
✔Improved relations with Germany, acting as a crucial stepping stone to the Rome-Berlin Axis in November 1936 and WW2 alliance.
✔Franco victorious thanks to Italian support of over 50,000 troops.
✘Costed Italy around 14 billion lire and required tax increase to fund support
✘Made no territorial gains
✘Weakened attempts to strengthen position in Africa

Question 5

How were relations with other countries (1933-1943)?

Answer 5

✘1938 Munich Conference, Mussolini largely ignored, overshadowed and reduced to Hitler’s sidekick.
✘Lacked economic and military strength to compete with France/Germany/Britain. Not a real threat.
✔1936 Rome-Berlin Axis and secret expansionary agreement results in a strong alliance with Germany.
✔1934 Succeeded in preventing Hitler from taking Austria.

Question 6

How successful was Italy’s intervention in World War 2 (June 1940) ?

Answer 6

✘Army small and outdated, 800,000 men using WW1 equipment.
✘January 1941 30,000 British defeated 250,000 Italian troops in Egypt
✘By May 1941, Italy had lost Eritrea, Somalia and Abyssinia, 380,000 troops had been taken prisoner.
✘Poor coordination, July 1940 Italian planes bombed their own ships.