Fascist Foreign Policy Flashcards
What had Fascist pre-1935 foreign policy been focused on?
achieving ‘great power’ status, promoting Italian prestige, addressing the mutilated victory, developing dominance in the Mediterranean, and expanding imperialism in Africa.
Who was killed on 27th August 1923? What did Mussolini demand?
Eurico Tellini, Mussolini demanded that the Greek government attend a Catholic funeral mass, honour the Italian flag and pay 50 million lire.
When did Italian bombard Corfu and when did they occupy it until?
31 August 1923 - 27 September 1923 (when Greece had paid the 50 million lire).
Why did Yugoslavia give Italy Fiume in January 1924?
They now had a greater port at Split and were given Susak in return.
Which 1925 treaty showed that Italy was accepted into the ‘great powers’ of Europe?
the Locarno Treaty
When was the Pacification of Libya achieved?
1932
What controversial tactics did Marshall Badgolio use in Libya?
Starvation, mass execution, poison gas and concentration camps.
How many Libyans died during the Pacification of Libya? Which countries were very critical?
1/3 died, Britain and France were both very critical.
Who’s accession to president and later monarch in Albania did Mussolini support in 1934?
Zogu - King Zog
Which nationalist movements in Yugoslavia did Italy support?
Croatian and Macedonian nationalist movements who wanted independence.
What did Italian fascists finance in 1934?
The killing of King Alexander of Yugoslavia by Croatian terrorists.
What did Italy host in 1935? What was its purpose?
The Stressa Front, to agree on a way to deal with Germany.
How was the Stressa Front’s agreement weak?
It was very vague with no specific committments and Britain undermined it by signing the Anglo-German naval agreements.
What was Mussolini particularily concerned about with regards to Nazi Germany?
The Anschluss with Austria
When was the invasion of Abyssinia launched?
October 1935
How many men were sent to Abyssinia and what did they manage to take?
400,000 men and they took border towns including Adowa - important after 1896 defeat.
Who did Mussolini appoint as head of the army to replace De Bono?
Marshall Badgolio
What tactics did Badgolio use in Abyssinia?
aerial bombings, killing POWs and illegal use of poison gas
When did Mussolini announce the beginnings of the Fascist Empire?
On the 9th May in a broadcast to 2 million people. It followed the army entering Addis Ababa on the 5th May.
What did the League of Nations impose on Italy following the invasion of Abyssinia?
Banned weapon sales and put sanctions on metal and rubber imports. Mussolini used these to draw these sanctions to draw parallels with the mutilated victory.
Why were the sanctions after the invasion of Abyssinia weak?
Oil wasn’t affeacted and the Suez canal remained open.
Who initiated the ‘Gold for Patria’ campaign in Dec. 1935?
Queen Elena gave her wedding ring to be melted down and thousands of other women followed suit and were given metal rings to symbolie marriage to the nation.
What were the negative impacts of the Abyssinian War?
Drain on resources - 2/3 of country had not yet been occupied and 200,000 troops had to remain.
Trade never materialised - only 2% of Italian trade was with Abyssinia and only 130,000 Italians settled there and oil was never found.
The lira was devalued by 40% and budget deficit rose to 16 billion lire.
Britain and France were highly critical of tactics which had caused 500,000 Abyssinian deaths.
It showed the weakness of League of Nations and other great powers so gave Mussolini self-confidence.
