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Italy A-Level > Challenges to, and the fall of the Fascist State, 1935-46 > Flashcards

Challenges to, and the fall of the Fascist State, 1935-46 Flashcards

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1
Q

What were Mussolini’s foreign policy aims?

A
  • Achieve ‘Great Power’ status for Italy
  • Promote fascism and Italian prestige abroad
  • Gain colonial possessions
  • Establish Italian dominance in the Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and Balkans, especially in Albania.
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2
Q

Why did Britain and France pose a problem with Italy’s foreign policy aims?

A

Italy had little influence on the international stage due to Britain and France being key powers.

  • Their support of the Versailles settlement
  • Powerful empires

Italy was unable to challenge them militarily or diplomatically at this point in 1922.

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3
Q

What became the centre of Mussolini’s foreign policy?

A

Mussolini’s theory of encirclement which asserted that Italy was a prisoner in the Mediterranean, surrounded by British and French military bases.

He wanted to destroy the British Empire.

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4
Q

How did Mussolini view Italy’s First World War allies?

A

Mussolini claimed friendship with Italy’s First World War allies while denouncing them as ‘parasites’.

This duality reflects Mussolini’s complex and often contradictory diplomatic stance.

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5
Q

What was the nature of the treaties Mussolini signed in the early-mid 1920s?

A

The treaties Mussolini signed were largely commercial and did not provide the political prestige he sought.

These treaties were intended to strengthen Italy’s position but ultimately fell short of achieving significant diplomatic leverage.

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6
Q

What was the impact of Mussolini’s reputation for switching allegiances?

A

Mussolini’s reputation for switching allegiances led to a negative perception of him as a politician.

This reputation hindered his ability to form strong, lasting alliances that could support his foreign policy ambitions.

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7
Q

True or False: Mussolini had a clear plan to achieve his foreign policy aims when he came to power.

A

False. Mussolini did not have a clear plan to achieve his foreign policy aims initially.

His strategy evolved as he became more secure in his power by the end of the 1920s.

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8
Q

Fill in the blank: Mussolini aimed to establish Italian dominance in the _______.

A

[Mediterranean, Adriatic Sea, and Balkans]

This aim was particularly focused on Albania.

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9
Q

What was Mussolini’s attitude towards the Treaty of Versailles?

A

Mussolini was determined to reverse the Treaty of Versailles despite maintaining good relations with Britain and France on the surface.

His approach was characterized by a mix of diplomacy and aggressive rhetoric.

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10
Q

What did Fascist propaganda depict Mussolini as?

A

A heroic figure outwitting foreign statesmen and defending Italian interests

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11
Q

What event triggered the Corfu Incident in 1923?

A

The assassination of Italian general Enrico Tellini and four aides in Greece

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12
Q

What were Mussolini’s demands from Greece after the Corfu Incident?

A

An official apology and an indemnity of 50 million lire

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13
Q

What action did Mussolini take when Greece refused his terms regarding the Corfu Incident?

A

Ordered the bombardment and occupation of Corfu

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14
Q

What did the League of Nations do in response to the Corfu Incident?

A

Referred the matter to the Conference of Ambassadors, which largely supported Italy but still ordered the withdrawal of Italian forces from Corfu.

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15
Q

What was the outcome for Greece after the Corfu Incident?

A

Ordered to pay the indemnity to Italy

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16
Q

What did the Corfu Incident reveal about Italy’s status?

A

Italy could not claim equal Great Power status.

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17
Q

What was Mussolini’s approach to the Balkans from 1924 to 1926?

A

Pressured Yugoslavia to accept Italian influence and financially supported Albanian leader Ahmed Zog.

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18
Q

What treaty did Mussolini sign in 1926 to confirm Albania’s position?

A

A treaty of friendship, confirming Albania as an Italian satellite state

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19
Q

What was the purpose of the Locarno Treaties in 1925?

A

To ease rising tensions in Europe

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20
Q

Which countries were represented at the Locarno conference?

A

Britain, France, Germany, and Italy

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21
Q

What was confirmed regarding Germany at the Locarno Treaties?

A

Germany’s western frontiers were confirmed and the powers committed themselves to further work on settling Germany’s eastern borders.

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22
Q

What did Mussolini achieve through the Locarno Treaties?

A

Presented Italy as a major European power

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23
Q

What was the Kellogg-Briand Pact of 1928?

A

An agreement outlawing war as a means to resolve conflicts

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24
Q

How many powers initially signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact? When was it signed?

A

Nine powers signed it on 27 August 1928

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25
What did Mussolini fail to do regarding the Kellogg-Briand Pact?
Persuade delegates to travel to Rome to sign the pact
26
What was the general perception of the Kellogg-Briand Pact after its signing?
It carried little weight with the powers and Mussolini dismissed it in the Italian Parliament shortly after signing it.
27
True or False: Mussolini supported Croatian separatist groups during his influence in the Balkans.
True
28
Fill in the blank: The Corfu Incident showed that international organizations could condone the threats of _______.
[dictators like Mussolini]
29
What was Mussolini's approach to relations with Britain and France in the 1920s and early 1930s?
He portrayed himself as supportive of their interests while having expansionist goals.
30
List four actions Mussolini took to demonstrate his support for Britain and France.
* Italy remained a member of the League of Nations * Mussolini signed the Locarno Treaties * He signed the Kellogg-Briand Pact * He reached agreement with Britain about colonial borders in North Africa
31
True or False: Mussolini was fully committed to the agreements he signed with Britain and France.
False
32
What was Mussolini's hope regarding his actions towards Britain and France?
He hoped to win their favor, leading to concessions in Italy's favor.
33
In the late 1920s, what did Mussolini do to support German right-wing political groups?
He began to fund them in hopes of a pro-Fascist government emerging.
34
What did Mussolini believe a strong Germany would provide against Britain and France?
A counter-balance to their power which he hoped would make Britain and France more supportive of Italian aims in the Balkans and North Africa.
35
What was the Four-Power Conference called by Mussolini in 1933?
Mussolini called for a Four-Power Conference in Rome between Italy, France, Britain and Germany following Hitler’s withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference and League of Nations. It ended with no resolution, and Mussolini was still afraid of being subordinated to Nazi Germany.
36
What action did Mussolini take in response to the assassination of Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss?
He sent 40,000 troops to the Austrian border to discourage Hitler from taking action.
37
Fill in the blank: The Stresa Front (1935) was formed in response to Germany's _______.
rearmament
38
What were the three main agreements reached at the Stresa Front conference in 1935?
- Criticism of German rearmament - Agreement to cooperate to prevent abandonment of peace - Support for an independent Austria
39
What was a key shortcoming of the Stresa Front?
It was vague and did not include specific commitments for action from any power.
40
How did Britain undermine the Stresa Front?
By signing the Anglo-German naval agreement without consulting France or Italy.
41
What was Mussolini's reaction to Britain's signing of the Anglo-German naval agreement?
He used it as an excuse to abandon the Stresa Front.
42
What mistaken impression did Mussolini gain at Stresa regarding the invasion of Abyssinia?
Mussolini believed that Britain and France would condone an Italian invasion and takeover of Abyssinia.
43
List three reasons why Mussolini was determined to launch a campaign in Africa.
* To satisfy Italy's Nationalist and colonial ambitions * To provide fascism with a major propaganda victory * To demonstrate to the world that Italy was a major power
44
What incident in December 1934 prepared Mussolini for the invasion of Abyssinia?
The Wal Wal incident, where 150 Abyssinians and 50 Italians were killed.
45
When did Mussolini authorize the invasion of Abyssinia?
3 October 1935.
46
What was captured by Italy on 6 October 1935, and why was it significant?
Adowa was captured, significant because it was the site of a humiliating defeat for Italy in 1896.
47
What was the final outcome of the Abyssinian War?
Italy won the war, resulting in Selassie's exile and the capture of Addis Ababa on 5 May 1936.
48
What were two major negative consequences of the Abyssinian Campaign?
* Huge economic cost leading to devaluation of the lira * Use of mustard gas against Abyssinian civilians
49
What was the Hoare-Laval Pact of December 1935?
It stated that Italy could retain most of Abyssinia but a smaller independent nation would be established.
50
What was Mussolini's response to the Hoare-Laval Pact?
Mussolini rejected the pact which damaged his relationship with Britain and France beyond repair.
51
What was Mussolini's involvement in the Spanish Civil War? Why?
He supported General Franco against the Spanish Second Republic. He supported Franco because France supported the Republicans and Mussolini wanted to gain more influence in the Mediterranean.
52
What type of support did Mussolini provide to Franco during the Spanish Civil War?
- Air support - Ground support - Artillery support
53
What was the outcome of Franco's conflict with the Republicans in March 1939?
Franco defeated the Republicans.
54
How did the support from Germany and Italy affect the Spanish Civil War?
It was a key reason for Franco's victory, as Britain and France did not provide the same level of support.
55
What was the public opinion in western democracies regarding Italy's involvement in the Spanish Civil War?
Public opinion turned against Italy, with widespread sympathy for the Spanish Republican cause.
56
What were two negative financial consequences of Italy's intervention in the Spanish Civil War?
- Much money was spent - Italian trade was disrupted - Military strength sapped and Italy was involved much longer than Mussolini intended
57
True or False: Mussolini's intervention in the Spanish Civil War strengthened relations with Britain and France.
False.
58
What was a significant impact of Franco's victory in the Spanish Civil War on the balance of power in Europe?
It strengthened the position of Germany and Italy and weakened France and Britain.
59
What influenced the relationship between Italy and Germany during the late 1930s?
The personalities of Mussolini and Hitler influenced the relationship.
60
What event in 1938 led to Mussolini losing popularity in Italy?
Mussolini's agreement to the Anschluss in 1938.
61
What were the three main reasons for Mussolini and Hitler moving closer together by the end of the 1930s?
* Worsening relationship between Italy, Britain, and France * Increased Italian economic dependence on Germany from 1936 * Mussolini's growing admiration for Hitler
62
What was the Anti-Comintern Pact and when was it signed?
The Anti-Comintern Pact was signed on 6 November 1937 by the Axis Power, driven by a hatred of communism.
63
What were the Axis Powers?
The Axis Powers were Germany, Italy, and Japan.
64
What impact did the alliance with Germany have on Italian society?
The alliance with Germany, the introduction of anti-Semitic laws and the possibility of war appalled Italian elites and some Fascists, leading to anti-German feelings and increasing criticism of Mussolini. The population felt unprepared and unenthusiastic about war.
65
When was the Pact of Steel signed?
The Pact of Steel was signed on 22 May 1939.
66
What was a key commitment of the Pact of Steel?
Germany and Italy committed to supporting each other in time of war.
67
What was Mussolini's message to Hitler after signing the Pact of Steel?
Italy did not want to enter a war for at least three years.
68
What did Hitler do in September 1939 that ignored Mussolini's message?
Hitler invaded Poland.
69
What was Italy's stance on the Sudetenland crisis in 1938?
Italy remained neutral and recommended a conference in Munich.
70
What was the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact?
A secret agreement between Germany and the USSR to divide Poland and avoid war for ten years. - Mussolini portrayed this as a betrayal of the Anti-Comintern Pact.
71
When did Mussolini order the invasion of Albania?
Mussolini ordered the invasion on 25 March 1939.
72
What was the outcome of the invasion of Albania?
The small Albanian force was quickly defeated, and a Fascist regime was set up.
73
What convinced Mussolini of the need to draw closer to Germany?
Britain and France guaranteed military support to Greece and Turkey after the invasion of Albania.
74
Why did Mussolini choose to remain neutral in the early stages of World War II?
He was playing a waiting game and did not want to commit to the losing side.
75
What were some reasons Italy was unprepared for war?
- Italy's economy was weak - Industry was underdeveloped - Military modernization processes were incomplete
76
What was the date of Hitler's blitzkrieg attack against France?
10 May 1940
77
What event marked Italy's entrance into World War II?
Italy entered the war on 10 June 1940
78
What were the main reasons for Mussolini's decision to enter World War II?
* Gibraltar was an important choke point for Britain in the Mediterranean * He feared Italy becoming a second-rate nation in a Europe dominated by Germany * Mussolini believed in war and violence as a way to achieve political goals and glorify fascism * Mussolini was a victim of his own propaganda and had to maintain the image of a man of action * It appeared that the Allies were close to defeat, and Mussolini wanted to make territorial gains
79
True or False: Mussolini's entrance into the war was welcomed by Hitler.
False
80
What was the outcome of the Italian army's offensive along the Alpine front after France declared an armistice?
Italy's army only advanced a few miles before stalling due to resistance by French troops
81
What territory did Italy gain after the armistice with France?
Two small towns
82
What prompted a devastating counter-attack against Italian forces in North Africa?
Italian troops were sent into Egypt and towards the Suez Canal in September 1940
83
What was the consequence of the Italian military failures in North Africa?
One hundred and twenty-five thousand Italian soldiers were taken prisoner
84
When did the Axis powers surrender in North Africa?
12 May 1943
85
What was Mussolini's strategy for invading Greece?
He decided to use Albania as a base for the invasion
86
What happened on 28 October 1940?
70,000 Italian troops invaded Greece from Albania
87
What challenges did the Italian army face during the invasion of Greece?
* The army was too small and poorly led * The Greek army was determined and knew the territory well * Significant resistance was offered by the Greek forces
88
What was the outcome of the Greek campaign for Italy?
The campaign made Italy a laughing stock around Europe and drew Hitler's disapproval
89
What did Germany do in spring 1941 regarding Greece and Yugoslavia?
Germany invaded and took over Greece and Yugoslavia
90
Fill in the blank: Mussolini's invasion of Greece began with an ultimatum presented by his ambassador on _______.
26 October 1940
91
What was the strategic significance of Malta for Italy?
Malta posed a constant threat of a blockade of southern Italy by British naval and air bases
92
What was the result of the British navy's engagement at Cape Matapan?
It inflicted a crushing defeat on the Italian navy in March 1941

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