Italy Booklet 8- fall of fascist state

Question 1

Why Mussolini went to war alongside Germany in 1940

Answer 1

Fearful that Hitler would attack Italy out of revenge for Mussolini betraying their trust.

Italy only entered the war once it appeared Germany had won

Question 2

Events that would have led to Italy going to war with germany in 1940

Answer 2

Spanish Civil War 1936-39. Domestic pressure for Mussolini to achieve and growing bond between Italy and Germany

Rome-Berlin Axis 1936

Stressa Front being undermined

Question 3

WW2 Italy humiliation to france

Answer 3

June 1940 Alpine Front. Italian forces not prepared and had to sign an armistice with france. Italy only gained a small amount of land

Question 4

WW2 Italy humiliation to Greece

Answer 4

Oct 1940 Greece ultimatum issued. 70 000 Italians sent to invade Greece. Italians were driven back to Albania and the fight took longer than expected.

Cape Matapan 1941 fleet attack british supply ships but were sank by Britain

Germany sent troops to help fight. In a few months Greece had surrendered. Meaning Italian forces look inferior, humiliating. Hitler disappointed with Mussolini.

Question 5

WW2 Italy humilaiton in North Africa

Answer 5

1940 invaded Suez canal . Britain attacked Abyssinia, italian army x4 of british. Germany had to send help.

Malta, British territory, made Axis supply difficult

1942 British forces broke Axis defensive line. Italy forced to surrender in 1943

Question 6

Why Greece invasion was a blow to fascism

Answer 6

Italy looked extremely weak.

Hitler disapproved

Balkans under German control not Italy’s

Question 7

Rising political tension in 1943

Answer 7

Poor living standard during war

People began to blame Mussolini for Italy’s problems

Opp groups more united

Increasing relations with germany meant more opposition. 200000 Italians died at stalingrad, wasn’t italys war

Question 8

Fall of Mussolini and Fascist grand council

Answer 8

M needed to secure his power, under pressure from the king.

Grandi contact with Bottai and Ciano aiming to persuade other council members to join Grandi’s revolution against M

M met with King. M arrested and Badoglio replaced as PM

Question 9

Republic of Salo

Answer 9

Made by Nazis led by Mussolini. 
Lasted 600 days. 
Had military of 50,000 men. Fought alongside germany. 
Black Brigades were fascist malitia
Limited power: loss of faith in m
M was a puppet controlled by germany
M getting ill

Question 10

Govt in the south

Answer 10

Led by king emmanuel III
Slow fight against allies led by Kesselring
Eventually allied with Cath, Socialist, Liberals to form the new government

Question 11

1946 Referendum

Answer 11

King unable to regain his authority
1946 Italians voted for republic over monarchy
12 mill to 10 mill in favour of republic
North voted republic, south voted monarchy
Nicola was leader, new referendum based on proportional representation

Question 12

1946 Election results

Answer 12

First time women allowed to vote
Christian Democrats won 207 seats, 35.2%

Christian demos, communists, socialists made up the govt with the New republican party of 23 seats

President was mainly symbolic
Prime minister elected through parliament
Govt was anti fascist by construction. A weak govt would meant fascism couldn’t be repeated