Foreign Policy of Mussolini 1922–1943 Flashcards
Mussolini’s main aims of foreign policy ?
- National Prestige
- Domestic support
- Take over the Mediterranean
- Empire in Africa
- Spread Fascism abroad
- Match Hitler (Post 1936)
Who was in charge of foreign policy ?
Mussolini was the head of foreign policy, however in 1936-43 Galeazzo Ciano (Mussolini’s son in law) was put in charge
What happened in Corfu 1923 ?
- 4 diplomats and a general killed in Corfu so Mussolini demands compensation.
- Greece refused so Italy invades Corfu who appeal to the LON, they pressure Greece into paying the compensation in order to avoid trouble.
- The money was paid and then Italy withdrew after pressure from GB.
- Italy looked weak despite the media calling it a success as they could not maintain control of Corfu.
What happened in Yugoslavia and Fiume 1923-24
- Mussolini sent troops to Fiume to establish control and in Jan 1924 the Treaty of Rome was signed which confirmed the takeover.
- Ahmed Zog takes power and becomes Mussolini’s puppet in Albania which allows him to put pressure on Yugoslavia
- This was Mussolini’s first foreign policy success which was very popular in Italy and allowed him to say he was acting in the best interests of the people to get what they were promised in the Treaty of London.
What was the Locarno Pact 1925 ?
- Agreement that determined the border between France and Germany after the war.
- This allowed Italy to identify itself with the main powers having a seat at the table which looked great for nationalism.
What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact 1928 ?
- Agreement signed by 62 countries to outlaw war as a means of resolving conflict between powers and encouraging diplomacy.
- Mussolini tried to use it as a chance to show his influence but he openly criticised it in parliament and broke it in 1935.
What was the Abyssinia War 1936 ?
- Mussolini invaded Abyssinia in 1936 to show off his power and distract the people away from the current economic problems.
- In Nov 1934, a skirmish at Walwal gave Italy the excuse they needed to invade and in Oct of the same year the invasion began.
- Victory was eventually achieved although it took longer than expected and far more supplies (4.2m shells + 595 tanks), however this still led to a significant expansion of the empire and increased support for the regime.
- Mussolini could no longer claim to be a moderate leader as relations with GB and France worsened and Italy moved closer to Germany. The media painted the whole situation as a success when the LON ended their sanctions at the end of the war and Mussolini calimed he defeated them all.
What happened in the Spanish Civil War 1936-39 ?
- Italy and Germany sent forces to Spain in support of the nationalists in the civil war, Italy wanted another ‘quick’ military success after Abyssinia and an ally in the nationalists. Ontop of this it would also help Italty gain control of the mediterranean.
- Due to this conflict Mussolini drew ever closer to Hitler and further away from the allies and it wasnt too popular with the Italians either - after the war Spain refused to help and blocked off their ports leading to huge government debts. The Italian army also left ⅓ of their equipment in Spain which meant they were unprepared when it came to WW2.
What happens with Italy’s unsteady relationship with Germany after 1936 ?
+ Rome-Berlin Axis 1936 - both Countries aimed expansion away from each other.
+ Anti-Comintern Pact 1937 - Italy joined Japan and Germany against Russia.
+ Pact of Steel 1939 - Italy was tied to Germany if they went to war.
- Non-Belligerence meant that Italy was not ready to enter war with Germany and Mussolini tried saying Hitler made the pact defunct to save his embarrassment.
- Germany carried out Anschluss with Austria which meant Italy could no longer invade and Mussolini was furious.
What was the Pact of Steel ?
Formal alliance between Germany and Italy which committed the two countries to each other if there was a war.
What happened at the Annexation of Albania 1939 ?
Italy invaded Albania and quickly defeated their small forces to set up a fascist regime. Because of this GB and France offered to help neighbouring Greece if Italy began to overstep.
What happened with Neutrality 1939-40 ?
Italy initially stayed neutral because Mussolini was angered by Germany’s pact with the USSR, he didn’t want to commit until he saw who the likely winner was, Italy’s armed forces were unprepared.
What happened when Italy entered the war 1940 ?
Italy entered the war as Mussolini feared being on the sidelines and being seen as a second-rate, he believed war was the way to show his country to the world and establish them as a global superpower.
