Notes for Italian and German Foreign Policies (1919–1941) - IB | RevisionDojo
Italian and German Foreign Policies (1919–1941) Notes
Italy’s Foreign Policy (1919–1941)
Aims
Make Italy a great power again (restore the Roman Empire)
Expand Italy’s empire, especially in Africa and the Balkans
Revise the Treaty of Versailles (Italy felt cheated)
Increase Mussolini’s popularity at home through bold foreign actions
Key Actions
Year
Event
Description
1923
Corfu Incident
Italy bombarded Corfu after an Italian diplomat was murdered in Greece. The League made Italy withdraw, but only after Greece paid compensation.
1935–36
Invasion of Abyssinia
Italy invaded Ethiopia. The League condemned the attack but failed to stop it. This collapsed the Stresa Front and pushed Mussolini closer to Hitler.
1936
Rome–Berlin Axis
Mussolini and Hitler signed an alliance, uniting fascist powers.
1939
Invasion of Albania
Italy invaded Albania to assert dominance in the Balkans.
1940
Entered WWII
Mussolini joined Hitler in the war to avoid missing out on spoils of victory.
But did they win
Mussolini gained some territories but damaged Italy’s international reputation.
His foreign policy overstretched Italy's resources and ended in disaster during WWII.
Overall, more failure than success. His ambitions outmatched Italy’s power.
Germany’s Foreign Policy (1919–1941)
Aims
Undo the Treaty of Versailles
Unite all German-speaking people (Grossdeutschland)
Expand eastward (Lebensraum = "living space")
Destroy communism and fight the Soviet Union
Make Germany a world power again
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What were Italy's foreign policy aims under Mussolini?
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Note
After World War I, Italy felt betrayed by the Treaty of Versailles, believing they had not received the territorial gains they were promised. This sense of injustice fueled Mussolini's rise to power and shaped his aggressive foreign policy aims.
Mussolini wanted to restore Italy's greatness by reviving the glory of the Roman Empire
He aimed to expand Italy's territory in Africa and the Balkans
The Treaty of Versailles was seen as an obstacle to be overcome
AnalogyThink of Mussolini's ambitions like a sports team that feels cheated out of a championship - they become obsessed with proving themselves and reclaiming their 'rightful' place at the top.
DefinitionIrredentismA political movement that seeks to reclaim and reoccupy a 'lost' or 'unredeemed' territory considered to be part of the nation's rightful homeland.
