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One day as a Lion: How Mussolini became Hitler's Junior partner in the…
One day as a Lion: How Mussolini became Hitler's Junior partner in the Axis Pact
Italy's foreign policy before the Rise of Hitler
Initially: Generally was very restrained, with limited opportunities for conducting an assertive, expansionist policy. Corfu incident provided indication of Mussolini's ambition and willingness to bully other countries.
With the exception of the Corfu Incident of 1923, when Mussolini bombarded the island of Corfu to win compensation from the Greek government after the assassination of an Italian general on the Greek- Albanian border. Ended only after diplomatic intervention by Britain and France
Britain and France were particularly influential during this period of time
Italy's foreign policy when Hitler rose to power
Enabled Mussolini to play a more prominent international role -> seen as a possible counter balance to Germany
Initially keen to restrain the growth of Nazi Germany, due to historic interest, which aimed at avoiding the creation of a powerful Germanic state on its northern frontier
Their dislike of Germany can be seen in the deterrence of a possible German intervention in Austria, moving troops to the Brenner Pass on the Italian border following the murder of Englebert Dollfuss, the leader of Austria, in July of 1934 by Austrian Nazis
Additionally, can be seen in the signing of the Stresa Front in April 1934, with Britain and France, registering their opposition to German rearmament
German remarmament referes to Hitler's announcement that Germany was to begin a military build-up in March of 1935, in defiance of the restrictions imposed on Germany's armed forces during the Treaty of Versailles
Howe
Began discussing wars and conquests, featured empire-building exploits of their Roman ancestors prominently in fascist propaganda to encourage support for the regime
This was where the slogan "better 1 day as a lion than 100 years as a sheep" came about, as well as others such as "our aircraft will darken the sun" came about- despite obvious gaps in the Italian armed forces
Italy's invasion of Ethiopia and its repercussions
What: Invasion of Abysinnia by the Italians in October of 1935. Poorly armed forces were overwhelmed by May 1936, partly thanks to Fascist regime's deployment of armoured cars and poison gas.
Why: Bordered existing Italian colonies of Eritrea and Italian Somailand, outside of British and French spheres of influence. Fascist desire to win military glory, throwback to Mussolini's propaganda of reviving Roman imperialism.
Positives from the invasion: Increased strength of propaganda of Italian military strength
Negatives:
Condemnation by international community
Economic sanctions by members of the League of Nations
Caused Italian military might to be overestimated
Contributed to Italian National Debt, which stood at 12,750million lira by 1939 (basically a lot) USD 643939393.939
Severely damaged Italy's standing with Britain and France. -> Italy turns to Germany (which had already left the League in 1933)- ->never join in the boycott
Closer relationship with Germany now seemed to be the only way to avoid international isolation and to secure vital economic resources
Italy's embrace of Germany, and its consequences in the buildup of WW2
1937: Italy joins Germany and Japan in the Anti-Cominttern Pact
1936: Axiss Pact
Mussolini begins to admire the strength of Germany and sees common ground between regimes (which he earlier ignored)
Begins to despise the British and French for their passiveness
Was able to continue his expansionist policies due to the halfhearted implementation of the League of Nation sanctions
1938: Anschluss, Mussolini's participation in the Munich conference
Created the rise of the German Reich
Mussolini played the part of a mediator at the Munich conference, merely carrying out the Germany agenda with no free will of his own (can be seen to be the beginning of Mussolini becoming Hitler's dog)
Had no choice in Hitler's decision to absorb Czecholslovakia (idk how to spell)
1939: Italy invades Albania, remains neutral at start of the Second World War
Decided to invade Albania in April 1939, further expanding his empire and alienating Italy from Britain and France, prompting them to issue guarantees to Greece and Romania
Safeguard Romania and Greece by larger powers in order to ensure they don't fall to German hands
Gave into the German pressure to form the Pact of Steel
Economic and political alliance between German and Italy
Mussolini decided to keep Italy neutral just before the outbreak of war
Recognising that Italy lacked essential war materials
1940: Italian entry into Second World War
Mussolini changed his mind after a few key victories over Britain and France, and these early wins bolstered his resolve to participate in the war
Eventually succumbed to temptation to be in war