1. Mussolini’s Foreign Policy
What were his aims?
How successful was he?

2. What do we already know?

3. 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?

4. “I want to make Italy great, feared and respected” Mussolini

5. So what were the aims? Make Italy strong
Recreate the glories of the Roman Empire
Through this, make Italy ready for war

6. 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 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)

7. 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

10. 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

11. 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

13. 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

14. Foreign Policy:
Intervention in the Spanish Civil War (next week)
A move towards Hitler:
The establishment of the axis in 1936
The visit of Sept 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.

15. 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 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.

16. So how successful was Mussolini in fulfilling his aims?

17. Tasks:
By Monday please 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.