Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, c1935–46 Flashcards
(23 cards)
Why did Mussolini want great power for Italy? As part of his foriegn policy…
Mussolini wanted to make Italy equal to Britain and France regarding power.
Why did Mussolini want to conquer territory abroad ?
To strengthen the “Italian Empire”
- Adding Libya, Eritrea and Somaliland
Wanted to re establish the Roman Empire and wanted to be powerful like Britain
What was the Locarno Treaty of 1925?
An effort to ease tension in EU
Conference attended by EU powers
Guaranteed peace among Western EU Powers (UK, Italy, France, Germany etc.)
Mussolini beginning to be involved in the major European meetings and felt established as a leader.
- had minimal impact for Italy
A reason to Promote Italian Prestige ?
The embarrassment of WW1
- they needed to become established after a poor international image - according to Mussolini
When did Italy join World war 2?
June 1940
When was the Salo republic established?
September 1943
When was Mussolini toppled from power (for the first time)?
July 1943
When was Mussolini killed by partisans?
April 1945
Name some of the Italian military defeats in world war 2
The invasion of Greece, the fall of Libya, the allied invasion of Sicily.
When did Italy formally surrender to the allies?
September 1945
How did the Germans react to the Italian defection from the Axis?
They sent whermacht troops into Italy to hold the frontline, disarmed Italian troops and occupied historically german Italian territory.
When did Italy invade Abyssinia
1935 October
What were Mussolini’s foreign policy aims
- Achieve’ great power’ status, making it an equal of Britain and France
- Promote Italian prestige abroad. Italy’s failures in the First World War had left the country with a poor international image and Mussolini sought to change that
- Address what Mussolini and the Fascists saw as the injustice of the Treaty of Versailles, the ‘mutilated victory’, and to gain Fiume and the Dodecanese Islands. This would enhance Mussolini’s reputation domestically and internationally.
- Establish Italian dominance in the Mediterranean despite the strength of French and British interest there
- Extend Italian influence in the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans, especially in Albania, a country already dependent on Italian financial support
- Conquer territory abroad and gain a strong empire like Britain and France, to add to Italy’s lands in Libya. Eritrea and Somaliland
- Achieve all these above aims in the name of the glory of fascism, to popularise fascism abroad and further increase Italy and Mussolini’s prestige.
How did Mussolini believe Italy would become a great power
By expansion of Italian military forces, diplomacy and war.
What happened as a result of the invasion of Abyssinia
It drew Mussolini closer to Hitler and Nazi Germany
What were some of the reasons why Mussolini embarked upon the Abyssinian Campaign
- To satisfy Italian nationalist ambitions and bring the prestige of victory
- To avenge the Adowa humiliation of 1896
- To further build up Italys territory in East Africa
- To demonstrate that Italy was a great power and an imperial power
- To show Hitler that that Italy was a strong state
- As a propaganda victory for fascism
- To increase the regime’s popularity within Italy
- To find new markets for Italian products and sources of raw materials
- To develop colonies for Italians to move to
When was the pact of steel signed
1939
Who did Mussolini create a New empire with
Colonies in the Balkans, around the Mediterranean and in Africa
What was the Salo Republic
It was established by the Nazis in northern Italy. Mussolini was made the head of this republic after he was rescued by German forces.
Why was the power of Mussolini and the Salo republic limited
- Many Italians had completely lost faith in Mussolini and the Fascists
- The republic was heavily dependent upon German support.
- Mussolini was closely controlled by the Germans and was treated as a puppet leader
- Mussolini I had lost his charisma and was suffering from ill health
By 1944 the partisans posed an increasing and serious threat to German forces and the Salo Republic
When did Mussolini become head of the Salo republic
1943 September
What was the Kellogg - Briand Pact
It was in 1928, it was meant to resolve conflict between nations. Further 56 nations signed the pact.
Mussolini was portrayed as a model statesman who was supportive of Britian’s and France’s interests - how was this confirmed within his foreign policy
- Italy remained a member of the League of Nations
- Mussolini signed the Locarno treaties of 1925
- He signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928
