Mussolinis Foreign Policy

Question 1

How did mussolini make Italy “Great, Feared and Respected”

Answer 1

1923- occupied corfu as Greeks killed four Italians at border. Withdrew following league of nations intervention when Greece paid compensation.

1924 - reoccupied the city of fiume after negotiations with yugoslavia

Presented a reasonable face for remainder of the 1920s

1934- opposed the reunification of Austria and Germany

1935 -formed the stress front with Britain and France to oppose German rearmament and expansion

Question 2

Why did mussolini invade abyssinia?

Answer 2

1935-Italy invades abyssinia

Revenge for the Abyssinian defeat of Italy in 1896

League of nations apply limited sanctions but they were unsuccessful

400,000 troops and tanks and planes used

Hitler supported mussolini and used crisis to occupy the Rhineland

The stresa front collapsed

The crisis showed the weakness of the league of nations

Question 3

How was Italy involved in the Spanish civil war?

Answer 3

Mussolini supported the fascist army of general Franco

Met with Spanish generals before the civil war started and promised to send aid(failed to do this)

Sent 80,000 troops during the war

Hoped a fascist victory would increase his international prestige and reputation at home

Interventionist had the opposite effect. Italian troops were poorly equipped and trained.

Franco blamed the Italians for some fascist defeats

Italy drew closer to Germany

Question 4

What was the Rome-Berlin Axis of 1936?

Answer 4

Mussolini was becoming more dependent on the Nazis for strength