Italian Non-Belligerence Leading to WWII

Flashcards covering the economic, military, social, and international factors leading to Italy's declaration of non-belligerence.

Economic situation

What was the primary economic reason Italy declared non-belligerence?

Italy could not afford to prepare the military and had already struggled to win and maintain small invasions.

Economic situation

What was the average military budget as a percentage of the state budget throughout the 1930s?

$$50\%$$

How much of the state budget was required to maintain Abyssinia in $1937$-$1938$?

$$12.5\%$$

Economic situation

Why was Italy financially unprepared regarding raw materials?

Italy required $9\,\text{billion lire}$ per year but only possessed $4\,\text{billion lire}$.

Military Preparedness

When did military estimates suggest Italy would be ready to fight?

Not until $1949$ or at least $1943$.

Military Preparedness

Which three short-term 'propaganda wars' depleted Italy's military resources?

Abyssinia ($1935$-$36$), Spanish Civil War ($1937$), and Albania ($1939$). - used all military resources

Social + Political issues

What group formed to oppose Mussolini's soldiers in Spain, and how many members joined?

The Communist Garibladi brigade, which included $3,500\,\text{Italians}$ formed in $1936$

Social + Political issues

What two $1938$ measures failed to create aggressive Fascists and what were they seen as instead?

The Race Laws and the Reform of Customs. (1938)

→ seen as a reflection of subservience to Hitler

International Position

Why did Mussolini feel he could not trust Hitler in $1939$?

Hitler took Czechoslovakia in $1939$ without consulting Mussolini.

International Position

What were the resource and financial imbalances between Italy and Germany under the Pact of Steel?

Italy received $60,000$ less coal than needed while Germany owed $40\,\text{million lire}$ in food bills.

International position

What were the specific costs for Italy's involvement in Abyssinia and Spain?

$17\,\text{billion lire}$ on Abyssinia and $8\,\text{billion lire}$ on Spain.