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Mussolini’s Foreign Policy. What were his aims? How successful was he?. What do we already know?. Overview. Making the mark The Statesman The Aggressor Hitler’s Junior partner WW2 and non-intervention Italian experience of war Interpretations
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Mussolini’s Foreign Policy What were his aims? How successful was he?
Overview • Making the mark • The Statesman • The Aggressor • Hitler’s Junior partner • WW2 and non-intervention • Italian experience of war • Interpretations • Themes of international prestige, making Italy strong. Distraction from domestic affairs?
“I want to make Italy great, feared and respected”Mussolini
So what were the aims? • Make Italy strong • Recreate the glories of the Roman Empire • Through this, make Italy ready for war
Foreign Policy 1922-34 • Revisionism early theme – treaties • Wouldn’t abandon wartime allies (GB/Fr), though not natural allies (liberal democracies) • Possible disputes over Mediterranean (‘Mare Nostrum’) but remained loyal • Germany – ambiguous. Triumph of fascism but greater Germany = serious threat • Austria – key alignment. ‘Buffer state’ by 1922. Fear of German dominance of Austria (protect Brenner Pass) therefore Locarno Pact (1925) and Stresa Agreement (1935) • Mussolini sought to prop up Austria – sponsored anti-Nazi Heimwehr militia • Also Rome protocols (trade between Italy, Hungary and Austria)
Adriatic Ambitions • Italy didn’t agree with international repose / treaties – wanted expansion • 1923 – Corfu invaded in revenge for murder of Italian businessman (defied L of N) • Agreements allowed Italy to take Fiume, then agreements with Albania and Hungary • Italy = ‘the chief anti-democratic conspirator of Europe’ Elizabeth Wiskemann
African Ambitions • Justified through relief of over-population • (Mack-Smith – argument is bogus – really rivalling GB/Fr outside Med) • So: 1920s colonial war in Libya • Build up of arms in Somalia • But biggest FP venture was Abyssinia
The Invasion of Abyssinia Oct 1935 • Motives: seen as area of influence since ‘Scramble’, revenge for Adowa (1896) • ‘War for war’s sake, since Fascism needs the glory of victory’ • Equality with great powers. Timing important • Resources poured in ensured victory over brave tribesmen (40000 and modern machinery including poison gas) • Victory 1936 when entered Addis Ababa and Haile Selassie fled • Very controversial – condemnation over use of gas. Abyssn. = member of L of N • Therefore economic sanctions (after some negotiation) • Largely ineffective as USA, Ger, Jpn not involved • Very confused policy of GB and France
Relations with Hitler • Mussolini took personal charge of FP, dismissing Dino Grandi, and placing son-in-law Count Ciano as Foreign Minister • Became prisoner of own rhetoric • Underestimated Hitler and didn’t provide means to fight wars
Foreign Policy: 1936-1943 Intervention in the Spanish Civil War (next week) • A move towards Hitler: • The establishment of the axis in 1936 • The visit of Sept. 1937 of Germany by Mussolini • Mussolini let Hitler annex Austria (Feb. — March 1938) • Mussolini proposed the Munich conference when war btw Germany and the Western Allies seemed likely • Mussolini annexed Albania (an Italian protectorate since 1926) when Hitler seized the whole of Czechoslovakia.
World War Two • In May 1939 a military alliance w/ Germany was signed (the Pact of Steel) • Italy was unable to support Hitler in Sept. 1939 and Hitler accepted Italian neutrality • In 1940, Mussolini (convinced of Hitler’s success) joined the war but • His invasion of Southern France did not fit Hitler’s plans • His invasion of Greece obliged Hitler to intervene • Initial success in N. Africa was then met by British counter-attacks • In June 1941, Mussolini participated in the invasion of the USSR and in Dec. 1941, the followed Hitler in his declaration of war on the USA. • In July 1943, Allied troops landed in Sicily, the Fascist Grand Council denounced Mussolini’s actions, and the King dismissed Mussolini à Mussolini was then arrested.
Tasks: • By Monday please email or hand me a refined question and list of at least 4 sources for coursework • By Friday 5th September you will have a full first draft of coursework • Tomorrow: an essay plan between two on ‘Evaluate the success of Mussolini’s domestic policies’ • Read and consolidate all material on Mussolini. Plan essay on Foreign Policy: ‘I want to make Italy great, feared and respected’. How far did Mussolini achieve his aims? You can write this timed or as a full essay.