How successful was Mussolini in achieving his foreign policy aims before 1935? Flashcards
Intro to Mussolini FP
The idea of him as the……… ………. was a key part of the cult of il Duce
- supreme nationalist
Intro to Mussolini FP
The idea that Mussolini was standing up for Italy and claiming its rightful place as one of the world’s ‘…………’ was …………., and his foreign policy successes were among his ….. ……. …….. as dictator.
- great powers
- extremely popular
- most popular actions
Intro to Mussolini FP
What was Mussolini careful to develop unti the mid-1930s
- when foreign policy became more aggressive
- Mussolini was also careful to develop strong relations with Europe’s recognised powers, such as Britain, to strengthen Italy’s international standing
Intro to Mussolini FP
What was the difficulty behind Mussolini’s FP rhetoric
- the crucial problem of Italy’s weak military position,
- and so Mussolini’s grand claims were often softened by what was realistically possible
Why is it diffcult to define Mussolini’s long-term foreign policy goals
- as his actions tended to be erratic and opportunistic,
- often aiming to maximise his prestige and popularity
- rather than achieving material gain for the country
What is the genral running theme behind all of Mussolini’s foreign policy
- The key goal was to assert Italy’s position as a world power
- In Mussolini’s words, ‘to make Italy great, respected and feared’
What were Mussolini’s long-term foreign policy aims?
-stand…
- Stand up for Italy’s territorial claims and, where possible, revising the Versailles settlements to overcome the shame of the ‘mutilated victory’
What were Mussolini’s long-term foreign policy aims?
-Africa
- Africa: consolidate Italy’s rule in Libya and expand Italian imperialism in other parts of Africa
What were Mussolini’s long-term foreign policy aims?
-Assert
- Assert greater power for Italy in the Mediterranean, which Mussolini believed was unfairly dominated by Britain
What were Mussolini’s long-term foreign policy aims?
-Gain
- Gain the Balkans (area of south-eastern Europe including Greece, Albania and Yugoslavia)
as an Italian ‘sphere of influence’
Long-term foreign policy aims
Ultimately, Mussolini hoped Italians would be transformed into a….
more militant, aggressive race who would claim Italy’s position as a dominant European power and achieve the expansion of Italy’s spazio vitale (‘living space’).
What is a key thing about the continuity of Mussolini’s foreign policy
- A desire for Great Power status, spending more on the military and colonial adventures had all been features of liberal foreign policy -
- Mussolini didn’t necessarily have new aims, but would pursue them much more ambitiously, relentlessly and recklessly
What was Mussolini’s approach to achieving his foreign policy goals in the 1920s
- while the fascists were consolidating their power, Mussolini was much more cautious
- e.g. willing to compromise with Britain and the League of Nations
What was Mussolini’s approach to achieving his foreign policy goals in the early/mid 1930s
- concerned about Hitler’s rise to power
- & the actions of this much more militant Germany, Mussolini looked to Britain and France to join him in an alliance that would restrict Hitler’s foreign policy aims
What was Mussolini’s approach to achieving his foreign policy goals in the mid/late 1930s
- as fascism consolidated and became much more aggressive, Mussolini’s foreign policy brought him into conflict with Britain and the League of Nations, leading to a growing relationship between Hitler and Mussolini
While Mussolini’s …….. did not necessarily change (at least until 1940), the ….. to achieving them definitely did.
While Mussolini’s goals did not necessarily change (at least until 1940), the approach to achieving them definitely did.
Describe Italy’s relationship with Britain France & Germany pre 1935
- highly complex and driven by the contrast between the realities of Italy’s military and diplomatic position and the aims of its foreign policy under Mussolini
- the emergence of Germany under Hitler’s leadership would reshape international relations in Europe after 1933
What was the Locarno Pact
- This was a significant agreement that saw Germany take its place in the League of Nations and accept the pre First World War borders with Belgium and France improving the relations between these nations
What did Mussolini do with the Locarno Pact
- Mussolini tried, unsuccessfully, to link Locarno to negotiations on Italy’s border with Austria
- Mussolini was able to present this as a success to the Italian people as he had been a part of such an important conference, it reflected Italy’s growing prestige in Europe.
Positive relations with Britain pre 1935
historic relations?
- Italy had historically had had a good relationship with Britain
Positive relations with Britain pre 1935
relations with heads of govt?
- Mussolini was on good terms with the likes of Winston Churchill and foreign secretary Austen Chamberlin
Positive relations with Britain pre 1935
economic relations?
- The revaluation of the Lira was dependent on funding from Britain so Mussolini had to make sure he was diplomatic in dealings with Britain
Negative relations with Britain pre 1935
Meditteranean
The Mediterranean was dominated by Britain and would not allow any challenge to this
Negative relations with Britain pre 1935
Corfu
Italy was unable to stand up to Britain over the Corfu incidence in 1923
Negative relations with Britain pre 1935
Malta
Mussolini tried to undermine British power by supporting pro- Italian groups in Malta
Agreements wIth France pre 1935 FP
cooperating?
- Mussolini worked with the French to create the Locarno Pact.
Disagreements wIth France pre 1935 FP
exiles?
- The majority of antifascist exiles lived in France
- The OVRA (Italian secret polcice) ran agents and operations in
in Africa and the Mediterranean
France
Disgreements wIth France pre 1935 FP
rivalry
- Mussolini saw France as a major rival in Africa & the Meditteranean
Disgreements wIth France pre 1935 FP
attempts at alliance?
- Mussolini unsuccessfully looked in to an anti -French alliance with Germany Spain and Hungary
Disgreements wIth France pre 1935 FP
Tunisia
French controlled Tunisia had a large Italian speaking population and was worried about Italian intentions
Why did the Stresa Front happen
- In March 1935 Hitler openly announced that Germany’s military rearmament had been going on secretly for two years
- This, after the Nazi coup in Austria, added to Mussolini’s concern at the direction of Hitler policies.
What was the Stresa Front
- A meeting between Italy France and Britain led to a statement declaring their desire for peace and continuing commitment to the League of Nations as well as disarmament
What was the impact of the Stresa Front
- the impact on Italy’s growing colonial ambitions in Africa
What were the impacts of the Stresa Front on Italy’s growing colonial ambitions in Africa & FP relations
- Mussolini claimed that he had reached an implicit agreement with both France and Britain, to support Italy’s imperialist goals in Africa as trade- off for Italy’s anti German stance.
- Italy and France interpreted the agreement differently.
Mussolini’s colonial war in …………. would be a turning point in Italy’s relations with the other nations.
Abyssinia
When was the Stresa Front undermined
- Britain also seemed to undermine the Stresa Front when it signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935
- The Stresa Front collapsed
When was the Stresa Front
April 14, 1935
Disagreement with Germany pre 1935 FP
Mussolini on WG?
- Mussolini had little respect for Weimar Germany who he believed was run by Socialists and pacifists
Disagreement with Germany pre 1935 FP
Fears of Hitler
- Mussolini was worried by Hitler coming to power as he was sure he would peruse the issue of Anschluss which may threaten Italian influence in the Balkans
- Austria was also a buffer between Germany and Italy
Agreement with Germany pre 1935 FP
In his early years in power Hitler was interested in …..
building good relation with Italy as another fascist country
Disagreements with Germany pre 1935 FP
difficulties in agreements
- Mussolini’s attempt to create the Four Power Pact to control Germany (Italy Germany, France and Britain) was never ratified over the armaments issue
Disagreementwith Germany pre 1935 FP
Austria
- When Austrian Nazis attempted a coup Mussolini mobilised four divisions helping the coup to collapse.
- As a result Mussolini was seen to have halted the unification of Germany and Austria.
Disagreement with Germany pre 1935 FP
bad relations with Hitler
- Mussolini called Hitler a “muddle-headed fellow” and later he called him a
- “horrible sexual degenerate”
How was Mussolini to develop Great Power Status for Italy
- military build-up, diplomacy and war
Foreign affairs also provided the ideal stage for Mussolini to….
impress his fellow countrymen
……. would force him to adopt a variety of tactics in achieving foriegn policy aims
Europe
Foreign affairs also provided the ideal stage for Mussolini to impress his fellow ………..
countrymen
Describe Britain & France’s power 1922-32
- Britain and France were the dominant powers in Europe.
- They enforced the Versailles settlement, colonies dominated Africa and their fleets controlled the Mediterranean.
- France also had influence in central and Eastern Europe, including the Balkans.
What were Italy’s actions in the Corfu incidence
- August 1923 a general and four of his staff were assassinated in Greece whilst advising on the location of the Greek-Albanian border
- Mussolini was outraged and demanded a full apology and 50 million lira in compensation
- The Greeks refused
- Mussolini bombarded the island of Corfu, off the Greek mainland
What did European powers do in the Corfu incidence
The European powers (led by Britain) demanded that Italy withdrew
How did Corfu incidence end
- Italy withdrew, received the 50 million lire but no apology
What was the good outcome of the Corfu incidence for Mussolini
Hailed as a success for dynamic Fascism
What was the bad outcome of the Corfu incidence for Mussolini
On the other hand, showed that Italy could not stand up to the great powers. Made Mussolini aware of the need to maintain good relations with Britain.
Italy relations with Yugoslavia & Albania
What was pact of rome
Italy received Fiume
Italy relations with Yugoslavia & Albania
What did Mussolini do following the Pact of Rome
- success over fiume persuaded Mussolini that Yugoslavia could be pushed around
- He wanted to make it clear that he could make life difficult for Yugoslavia if they resisted Italian influence in the region.
- Fascist government supplied Ahmed Zog - an Italian speaking local chieftain -with money and encouraged Italian companies to invest in the Albanian economy
- A Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1926 and Albania was nothing more than an Italian satellite state.
- Also funded Croats who wanted to break away from the Yugoslav state.
Give 4 key examples of Mussolini cooperating with Britain and France
- Italy remained in the League of Nations
- Signed the Locarno Treaties - confirming the permanence of Germany’s western borders.
- Entered the Kellog-Briand Pact (1928) outlawing war
- Agreed over location of the borders of their North African colonies (Libya and Egypt).
What did Mussolini percieve as the benefits of good relations with Britain & France for his image
- Made the most of the opportunity to enhance his prestige and status at home
- At Locarno, he raced across the Lake Maggiore in a speedboat, an event extensively covered in the press
Why did Mussolini have increasing ambitions for FP by the late 1920s
- The 1930s would see Mussolini become more aggressive in the Balkans and in Africa too.
- Mussolini wished to distract from the problems at home and bolster his regime.
- He also was disappointed at the limited gains made during the 1920s through diplomacy.
- Fascist policies became increasingly openly belligerent (war-like).
