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, 1925-6: Germany, 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 1929-1932 ( against the League, no more friendship with Britain, the war a priority) The role of Count Ciano between 1936-39; 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 1935-6

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

Italy intervened in the Spanish Civil War, 1936-39 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. 70 000 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 100 000 men and 600 aircraft, Albania had 15 000 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, 1939.. Germany to Poland 1.9.1939; 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…