Italy Invaded Albania

Question 1

Why did Mussolini invade Albania March 1939

Answer 1

After Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia without notifying Mussolini in advance, the Italian dictator decided in early 1939 to proceed with his own annexation of Albania.

1) Italy saw itself becoming a second-rate member of the Axis.
2) The Italians set up a fascist government in Albania.
3) After the German army defeated Poland, Denmark, and France, a still-jealous Mussolini decided to use Albania as a springboard to invade Greece.

Question 2

Pact of Steel

Answer 2

1) Italy and Germany agree to a military and political alliance
2) Known as Pact of Steel
3) The Duce saw this partnership as not only a defensive alliance, protection from the Western democracies, with whom he anticipated war, but also a source of backing for his Balkan adventures.(Yugoslavia: Greece, Romania, Turkey etc)
4) the Pact of Steel would become the Tripartite Pact, with Japan making up the third constituent of the triad.

Question 3

Why Italy joined WW2 ?

Answer 3

Italy had to join war in June 1940:

• Embarrassment to not join
• Did not want Italy to be “another Switzerland” - lesser rank power
• War could give Mussolini opportunity to influence the conservatives and the Church
• If Germany won the war and Italy remained neutral, Germany would be hostile/Unfriendly to Italy
• War could bring territorial gains and control over the Mediterranean
• Economic trade and ties with Germany (important motive for Italy)

Question 4

Mussolini’s actions in the war up to 1941

Answer 4

1) Mussolini expanded the war in the Mediterranean and into North Africa
2) Italian forces invaded Egypt from the Italian colony of Libya
3) Italian forces invaded Greece from Albania
4) Both Italian offensives failed due to British response - thus German forces had to be drawn into the Balkans and North Africa.
5) German forces took Yugoslavia and Greece in April 1941 and forced an evacuation of British forces
6) German forces in North Africa pushed the British back