Mussolini's Foreign Policy: 1936-1940 Overview

Spanish Civil War

Conflict between Republicans and Nationalists in Spain.

Balearic Islands

Islands Mussolini aimed to gain from Spain.

International Brigades

Soldiers aiding the Republican government in Spain.

Mussolini's Ideology

War seen as beneficial against socialism/communism.

Italian Troops

70,000 sent to support Franco's Nationalists.

Economic Cost of War

14 billion lire spent on Spanish Civil War.

Lira Devaluation

Italy lost half its foreign currency reserves.

Military Weaknesses

Exposed through defeats in Spanish Civil War.

Battle of Guadalajara

Italian forces defeated by International Brigades.

Rome Berlin Axis

Alliance between Italy and Germany established in 1936.

Anti-Comintern Pact

1937 agreement against Communist International.

Anschluss

Annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938.

Munich Conference

1938 meeting to discuss Sudetenland crisis.

Sudetenland

Region demanded by Hitler with German speakers.

Chamberlain's 'Scrap of Paper'

Symbol of Britain's appeasement towards Germany.

Czechoslovakia Invasion

Hitler's 1939 invasion breaking Munich agreement.

Mussolini's Expansionism

Demand for Corsica, Nice, and Tunis in 1938.

Franco's Nationalists

Supported by military and conservative elements in Spain.

Papal Support

Pope backed Franco during Spanish Civil War.

Italian Submarine Attacks

Caused tensions with Britain and France.

Axis Powers

Italy became an Axis Power after 1937.

Economic Impact

War led to high costs and resource depletion.

Popular Front

Coalition of liberals, socialists, and communists in Spain.

Mussolini's Ambitions

Aimed to reshape global power dynamics post-Munich.

Italian Invasion of Albania

April 7, 1939; aimed to control Adriatic region.

King Zog

Albanian leader who fled to Greece during invasion.

Personal Union

Albania united with Italy after invasion vote.

Shefqet Verlacci

Leader of the new Fascist government in Albania.

Albania's Withdrawal from League

Albania left League on April 15, 1939.

Chamberlain's Reaction

Condemned Mussolini, shifted naval forces to Mediterranean.

Pact of Steel

May 1939 agreement between Italy and Germany.

Military and Economic Union

Pact of Steel included secret military cooperation.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

August 1939; shocked Mussolini with two days notice.

Public Sentiment in Italy

Italian public opposed German alliances and war.

Ciano's Warning

Foreign minister cautioned against war with Britain.

Western Weakness

Mussolini perceived Britain and France as declining powers.

Mussolini's Strategy

Sought to exploit Western weakness for Italian expansion.

Albania's Military Collapse

Albania's forces were outnumbered and poorly equipped.

International Reaction

Britain and France guaranteed borders of Greece and Romania.

Mussolini's Isolation

Invasion alienated Italy from Britain and France.

Chamberlain's View of Mussolini

Described Mussolini as deceitful and untrustworthy.

Italian Colonies in Africa

Italy controlled several colonies prior to 1939.

Mussolini's Goals

Aimed for independent Italian foreign policy.

Adriatic Control

Mussolini sought dominance over Adriatic Sea.

Turning Point

Albania invasion marked end of appeasement policy.

Pact of Steel

Alliance between Italy and Germany signed May 1939.

Mussolini's War Readiness

Italy unprepared for war until 1943.

Renzo De Felice

Historian arguing Mussolini sought alliance with Allies.

Paolo Alatri

Left-wing historian critical of De Felice's views.

Fascist Ideology

Promotes conflict as beneficial for national strength.

New Roman Empire

Mussolini's vision of Italy's imperial expansion.

German Victory Concerns

Fear of Italy becoming subordinate to Germany.

Radicalization of Italy

War seen as a means to remove conservative influence.

British Blockade

March 1940 blockade affecting German coal supply to Italy.

Mussolini's Declaration of War

June 1940 statement on establishing sea frontiers.

Territorial Chains

Mussolini's term for limitations on Italy's naval power.

Young vs. Sterile Peoples

Mussolini's rhetoric on demographic vitality in conflict.

Aggressive Foreign Policy

Left-wing view of Mussolini's expansionist ambitions.

Policy of the Pendulum

De Felice's view of Mussolini's fluctuating foreign policy.

AJP Taylor

Historian suggesting Mussolini's incompetence and unclear aims.

Domestic Support

Schreiber's view on Mussolini's need for imperial propaganda.

Italian Invasion of Egypt

September 1940 attempt, repelled by British forces.

Rommel's Intervention

German commander aiding Italy in North Africa.

Italian Invasion of Greece

October 1940 attempt, again repelled by British.

Yugoslavia Invasion

Italy's failed attempt in 1941, leading to German takeover.

Taranto Harbor Attack

British operation sinking half of Italian fleet, Nov 1940.

Mussolini's Empire Promise

Schreiber's claim of Mussolini's obligation to deliver an empire.