Italian Foreign Policy

Question 1

What were Mussolini’s Foreign Policy aims in 1925?

Answer 1

• Increase national pride.
• Consolidate domestic support for his regime.
• Revise the 1919-1920 post-war settlements.
• Dominate the Balkans and Mediterranean.
• Build an empire - African territory.
• Spread Fascism to other countries.

Question 2

Overarching aim of Italian Foreign Policy (quote)

Answer 2

Make Italy great respected and feared - Denis Mack Smith

Question 3

Corfu

Answer 3

Invasion in 1923 of a Greek Island (Corfu). This was in retaliation for an Italian general being murdered on Greek/Albanian border. He withdrew after being paid 50 million Lira and Britains threat to deploy their navy.

Question 4

What did Mussolini learn from Corfu?

Answer 4

• To not mess with bigger powers like Britain and their navy’s.
• Can only ‘bully’ smaller powers.

Question 5

Fiume - 1924

Answer 5

Disputed port down which Italy wanted after WW1. They got it in 1924 when the Yugoslavian’s gave it to them as part of the Pact of Rome (27 January). This made Mussolini think he could control Yugoslavia and undermine their French Influence. It was a ‘grand success’. From this pact, Italy also recognised Serbs control over Croatia and Slovenia.

Question 6

Yugoslavian economic actions

Answer 6

Mussolini attempted to destabilise the Yugoslavian economy by funding ethnic groups that wanted independence like the Croats.

Question 7

Ahmed Zog

Answer 7

Italian-backed leader that took control of Albania whilst training their army. This led to an official treaty of friendship in 1926.

Question 8

Why did Mussolini hate France?

Answer 8

• Italy wanted Corsica, Nice and Sardinia, which were all French territories.
• Mussolini was jealous of the French control over North Africa (this was why he supported the Moroccan and Tunisian independance movements).
• Mussolini wanted to replace French influence altogether in the Balkans.
• Wanted to be a ‘force of moderation’ in Western Europe.

Question 9

Locarno Treaty

Answer 9

• In Locarno, Switzerland with Britain, Germany, Belgium, France and Italy - 14th of September 1925.
• 7 agreements which aimed to secure the post-war settlement and normalise relations with Germany.
• Mussolini wanted people to see him as a Great Statesman from actions in Locarno.
• Agreements confirmed West German borders for France and Belgium (e.g. Rhineland).
• Left Eastern border was left ‘open for future negotiation’ (which backfired in the end).
• This treaty brought hope for peace - The ‘Locarno spirit’.

Question 10

Kellogg-Briand Pact

Answer 10

• 1928
• Denounced the use of war to resolve disputes
• 60 signatories including Italy
• “so sublime that it should be called transcendental” - Mussolini
• Mussolini played the pacifist but was bluffing - Still wanted to revise Treaty of St Germain.

Question 11

Italy-German relation

Answer 11

• Italy breached the Treaty of Versailles to train German pilots (significant as it showed they may not follow the other treaties). Also wanted to create an air-force for himself that would “blot out the sun” - Mussolini.

Question 12

African Expansion

Answer 12

• Supported Moroccan independence movements.
• Crushed a revolt in Libya
  from1922-1928
• 1928 - ‘Pacification campaign’ in Libya turned into full-scale very violent war.
• Mussolini signed the treaty of friendship with Abyssinia in 1928, despite wanted to take it over eventually.

Question 13

Italy-Soviet Union relation

Answer 13

• Italy broke off relations with Soviet Union in 1917 after Bolshevisks seised power (as did everyone else).
• 1921 - Italy recognised the new government in Soviet Union and traded with them.
• 1924 - Formally recognised the Soviet Union.
• Mussolini saw they could be a powerful tool.
• Remained on good terms throughout the 1920s.