The Move to Global War and Authoritarian States

Flashcards about the move to global war (Italian and German Expansion), Authoritarian States (20th Century) - Italy and Germany

What were the major socio-economic divides in Italy?

Between the industrial North and rural South, between wealthy elites and poor workers, and between the secular state and the Catholic Church.

What was Italy's sentiment after WWI?

Italy felt short-changed after WWI (Treaty of Saint-Germain, 1919), having suffered over 1 million casualties with minimal territorial gain, fostering nationalist resentment.

What drove Mussolini to push for Autarky?

Falling grain prices in the 1920s and 1930s hurt Italian farmers. This drove Mussolini to push for Autarky, aiming for national self-sufficiency.

What is 'Spazio Vitale'?

Living Space, mirroring Germany’s Lebensraum concept. Mussolini wanted to dominate the Mediterranean and Balkan regions and expand into Africa.

What was the significance of the 1924 Invasion of Fiume?

Signaled Mussolini’s early aggressive intent.

What was the purpose of the 1924 Treaty of Friendship with Albania?

Turned Albania into an Italian protectorate, strengthening Italy’s Balkan influence.

What was the significance of the 1935–1936 Invasion of Abyssinia (Ethiopia)?

Mussolini launched a full-scale invasion using chemical weapons. It marked a turning point in the League of Nations’ credibility.

What was the outcome of the 1923 Corfu Incident?

Italy occupied Corfu. The League failed to resolve it, and the Conference of Ambassadors mediated instead, highlighting League weakness.

What did the 1925 Locarno Treaties do?

Solidified Western European borders, left Eastern Europe vulnerable—Italy took advantage.

What was the Hoare-Laval Pact?

Secret Anglo-French plan to appease Mussolini by giving him Abyssinian territory. When leaked, it caused public outrage and exposed the hypocrisy and failure of collective security under the League.

What was the Hossbach Memorandum (1937)?

Internal Nazi document outlining Hitler’s long-term goal for Lebensraum in Eastern Europe and preserving the German “racial community.”

What was the purpose of the 1939 Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact?

Nazi-Soviet non-aggression pact with a secret clause dividing Poland; secured Germany’s eastern flank for war.

What was the significance of the 1935 Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

Britain allowed Germany to rebuild its navy to 35% of Royal Navy strength—an early sign of appeasement.

What was the 'Mutilated Victory' for Italy?

Italy was the only winning country that could not utilize their position to secure their power, only gaining some of the land they were promised in the Treaty of London (Trentino, South Tyrol, Istria, some Dalmatian Islands, and Dodecanese Islands).

What was the Biennio Rosso?

A socio-economic crisis and era of political instability in Italy. Widespread poverty, workers’ strikes, and a weak government isolated by the Italian Socialist Party and the Italian Popular Party.

What was the Squadrismo?

Later on renamed the Blackshirts, these squads were organized to dismantle socialist, republican, Roman Catholics, and other non-fascist aligned organizations through violent campaigns.

What was the significance of the 1922 March on Rome?

King Victor Emmanuel III appointed Mussolini Prime Minister to avoid civil conflict, despite his party being a minority.

What was the Acerbo Law?

Gave 2/3rds of parliament seats to the party with the most votes—this solidified Fascist control.

What was the Matteotti Crisis?

Socialist Giacomo Matteotti was assassinated after criticizing the Fascists, and opposition MPs walked out of parliament. Mussolini survived the crisis and declared dictatorship in 1925.

What does 'Il Duce' mean?

Mussolini assumed totalitarian control in 1925. “Il Duce” is his title, translating to “the leader”, and most propaganda watered down the Fascist ideology in exchange for creating a cult of personality around Mussolini.

What was the Lateran Treaty (1929)?

Ended conflict with the Vatican (“Roman Question”). The Church recognized the Fascist regime and Vatican City was declared sovereign.

What were the aims of Mussolini's economic foreign policy?

Domestic support/propaganda, national pride, becoming the “Second Roman Empire”, dominating the Balkans and Mediterranean, revising the Treaty of Versailles.

What were the 'Battles' Mussolini launched?

Battle for Grain, Battle for Lira, Battle for Birth, and Battle for Land

What was the Corporate State in Italy?

A system where corporations would work with the fascist government (a fascist “trade union” of sorts) to settle disputes — sets some rights for workers but prioritized the interests of rich businessmen.

Explain the Tirana Treaty.

Protection of Albania in exchange for them becoming a satellite state to Italy.

What was the Enabling Act?

Gave Hitler dictatorial powers, effectively ending democracy in Germany in 1933.

What was the Saar Plebiscite (1935)?

Over 90% voted to return to Germany—a propaganda win.

What was the significance of the 1933 Reichstag Fire Decree?

Suspended civil liberties; used to arrest thousands of communists and consolidate power.

What was the Night of the Long Knives?

Purge of SA leaders and political opponents; established SS as dominant force.

What was the result of the death of Hindenburg?

Allowed Hitler to combine the roles as being chancellor and president. It resulted on Hitler being the Führer, or the leader of Germany.

What was the purpose of the 1935 Nuremberg Laws?

Institutionalized antisemitism, excluding Jews from citizenship and legal protections.

What were Hitler's Economic and Foreign Policy Aims?

Revising the Treaty of Versailles, protecting the Aryan race, expansion, opposing Communism.

What were Hjalmar Schacht’s MEFO Bills?

Secret rearmament financing via promissory notes from a dummy company. Allowed massive military spending while bypassing the Reichstag and hiding from the international community.