Historian views on Italian foreign policy

Question 1

For historian Wiskemann, after what year can “nothing deserve the name of Italian foreign policy”

Answer 1

From 1936

Question 2

What does Wiskemann describe Mussolini to have done to Hitler (in terms of their relationship)?

Answer 2

Surrendered to his pressure

Question 3

For historian Cassels, what event meant that the relationship between Hitler and Mussolini became an “obligation” and “harsh necessity from which there was no exit”?

Answer 3

Anschluss (‘38)

Question 4

For Cassels, what did Fascist Italy become?

Answer 4

A satellite of Nazi Germany

Question 5

What type of relationship did Blinkhorn say the two had?

Answer 5

A “fatal” relationship

Question 6

Due to Mussolini taking a neutral stance over Germany and Austria, what did Blinkhorn state happened to their relationship dynamic?

Answer 6

“Two dictators were reversed”
Italy now a junior party and subordinate in status

Question 7

What does Historian Clark argue Mussolini was doing during 1938-9?

Answer 7

Playing along with Hitler to win concessions from France and Britain

Question 8

What did Clark say about Mussolini playing the two?

Answer 8

Was playing a dangerous game to build a empire

Question 9

Why did historian Bell state Mussolini joined the axis alliance?

Answer 9

What Mussolini desired could only be obtained in B+F’s opposition

Question 10

What did historian Bell say Mussolini could gain from an alliance with Germany?

Answer 10

German support in their Abyssinian conflict
Supply them with coal
Dominate the med
SCW cooperation

Question 11

For historian Overy, what was the dynamic of the relationship?

Answer 11

Each saw and used each other as an “instrument in his own power game”

Question 12

For Overy what bounded the two together?

Answer 12

“manipulation rather than friendship bound them together”

Question 13

For Overy, why was Italy useful to Germany?

Answer 13

As a fascist output in the med keeping B+F away from central Europe

Question 14

For Overy, why was Germany useful to Italy?

Answer 14

As a source of economic assistance in rearmament and to divert British attention from Italian advances in med

Question 15

What does Lamb argue in terms of Italian and British relations?

Answer 15

Italy was an ally needed for peace in Europe despite being a slippery ally
Mussolini wanted relations with Britain

Question 16

For Lamb, what evidence shows that Mussolini wanted relationship with Britain and not Germany?

Answer 16

After he conquered Abyssinia he wanted to renew British friendship
He feared and disliked Hitler

Question 17

For Lamb, what mistake did the British make?

Answer 17

“The British policy of opposing Mussolini and appeasing Hitler”=disastrous