How succesful was Mussolini´s foreign policy? 1920´s and 1930´s

Foreign policy as a tool for consolidation of power; 1920´s and the more Fascist aggressive approach in the 1930´s 1) The Corfu incident, 1923: Mussolini invaded the Greek island of Corfu ( an Italian officer was killed on the Greek border with Albania). Mussolini withdrew his troops, BR forced him to do that. Mussolini was given money compensation ( a victory!) 2) Fiume was given to Italy, 1924 ( d´Annunzio ocupied Fiume in 1919) 3) Albania became an Italian protectorate in 1924, Italy supported Zog´s leadership 4) Mussolini´s Italy recognized the Soviet Union as an official state 1924; good for trade and diplomacy

5) The Locarno Agreements, : Germay, France and Belgium guaranteed their western borders. Italy supported this peaceful approach 6) Kellogg-Briandt Pact of 1928: denounced the use of war as a means to resolve disputes, Italy with 60 countries signed

On the other hand: -Mussolini funded german right-wing groups -Supported independence movements in Africa ( against France), also aggressive towards Libya; Libyan revolt of 1928 was crushed down.. -Abyssinia was his long-term plan, but signed a Treaty with the country just to win some time, 1928

Mussolini´s aggressive approach in the 1930´s Fascist ideology Economic issues; more aggressive foreign policy needed! ( p.131) The role of Dino Grandi between ( against the League, no more friendship with Britain, the war a priority) The role of Count Ciano between ; first with Germany then against, supported invasion of Albania. Ciano lost Mussolini´s support.

Agreements and invasions 1930´s The Four Power Pact, 1933: BR, FR, GR and Italy. Smaller nations should have less to say in Great Power relations! A success for Mussolini. Hitler tried to take over Austria in 1934: Mussolini´s troops to prevent and Anscluss The Stresa Front, 1935; against violation of the Treaty of Versailles, but did not specially name Germany. Mussolini was given the image that Italy could go to Abyssinia → took place in

Why was the conquest of Abyssinia important to Mussolini? Ideology Economy Events outside Italy Something else?

Italy intervened in the Spanish Civil War, Fascist ideology Hoped to gain naval bases in the Blearic Islands form Franco ( to create the new Roman Empire) The war was an opportunity to create new Italy and new Italians/ warlike people troops sent to Spain! Results of the intervention; p.142

Mussolini´s Changing diplomacy after 1936… Italy and Germany formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, 1936 Italy joined the Anti-Comintern Pact, 1937 → Italy left the League of Nations The Munich Conference, 1938; Mussolini was seen the great peacemaker.. Later in November, 1938 he instructed the Italian parliament to demand the annexation of Corsica, Nice and Tunis Mussolini to Albania in 1939 ( Hitler´s invasions made him to imitate Germany´s succesful expansion). Invasion with men and 600 aircraft, Albania had poorly equipped troops, trained by Italians)

Albania´s kind Zog left the country and Albania united with Italy in personal union. The Pact of Steel, 1939: Italy and Germany for declaration of trust & cooperation and for union of military and economic policies ( a secret pact) Mussolini was informed about the Nazi-Soviet Pact just two days before it was signed in August, Germany to Poland ; Mussolini declared Italy a non- belligerent: to win some time and Italy exhausted with all the wars..

Italy joined WWII in 1940 Why? See p. 150 Interpretations; choose one and explain.. Italy to Egypt, Greece: faced problems and Hitler had to give some help…