M4- Italy's international standing by 1935 Flashcards
what were Mussolini’s foreign policy aims?
achieve ‘Great Power’ status for Italy
promote fascism and Italian prestige abroad
establish Italian dominance in the Mediterranean, the Adriatic and the Balkans
expand colonisation in Africa
how did Mussolini conduct foreign policy?
ALL BY HIMSELF
he avoided the Foreign Office by making himself Minister of Foreign Affairs
he had total control over Italian foreign policy
who were the main ‘Great Powers’ in Europe?
Britain and France
both had immense influence in Europe after the collapse of A-H and Germany
how was France’s position to Italy a growing threat?
they were exerting more influence in the Balkans, a region Mussolini hoped to take control over
their colonial ambitions in North Africa also threatened Italian Libya and Italian hopes of colonial expansion
how was Britain’s position to Italy a growing threat?
Britain had complete control over the Med —> Mussolini wanting to retake control of Italy’s waters
Britain also had a major colonial presence in Africa (Suez —> Egypt)
how did Mussolini hope to deal with the larger powers?
through diplomacy and peace
how did Mussolini hope to deal with the smaller powers?
through aggression and war
when was the Italian invasion of Corfu?
31 August 1923
what caused the Italian invasion of Corfu?
the assassination of an Italian general in Greece
which Italian general was assassinated in Greece?
Enrico Tellini
what demands did Mussolini make to the government of Greece?
attend Tellini’s funeral
honour the Italian flag in Athens
pay penalty of 50 million lire
what happened during the invasion?
Italian navy bombarded the island of Corfu and troops occupied the island
when was Mussolini forced to leave Corfu?
27 September 1923
who forced Mussolini to pull out from Corfu?
the League of Nations
with British backing
successes of Corfu invasion
MAJOR DOMESTIC SUCCESS
Italy received 50 million lire from Greece
major domestic success with the support of the nationalists increasing as a result
it was a major contrast to the liberal state who had little success in foreign policy
failures of Corfu invasion
Italy’s position as a subordinate to Britain and France was confirmed
showed the limited ability of the Italian Navy compared the the British Med fleet
received condemnation from the LoN
which pact was Fiume ceded to Italy?
Treaty of Rome
with Yugoslavia
when was the Treaty of Rome?
January 1924
successes of Treaty of Rome
MAJOR DOMESTIC SUCCESS
again nationalists (particularly those who were major d’Annunzio supporters were hugely impressed) increased their support for Fascism
again showed the weakness of the Liberals who failed to take Fiume themselves
did show Yugoslavian weakness
was the Treaty of Rome really a success?
not really cos the significance of Fiume had fallen since 1920
Yugoslavia had their new port, Split, which was more strategic than Fiume for Yugoslavia
when were the Locarno Treaty signed?
1925
how was Italy involved in the Locarno Treaty?
they were invited
which was a major deal for the Italian people