Italy's Entry into the Second World War
Why Did Italy Remain a Non-Belligerent in 1939?
- Unpreparedness for War:
- During negotiations for the Pact of Steel, Mussolini informed Hitler that Italy would not be ready for a general war until 1943.
- Italy had been engaged in conflicts in Africa and Europe, leaving the nation war-weary and economically strained.
Italy's military was ill-equipped and underprepared for a large-scale conflict, with outdated weaponry and insufficient resources.
- Economic and Military Limitations:
- Italy's economy was heavily dependent on German coal, which constituted two-thirds of its supply.
- In March 1940, Britain blockaded German coal ports, exacerbating Italy's economic vulnerabilities.
- Mussolini's Strategic Calculations:
- Despite his Fascist ideology, Mussolini recognized the risks of entering the war prematurely.
- He feared that if Germany won the war without Italy's involvement, Italy would be marginalized in a German-dominated Europe.
- When analyzing Mussolini's decision to remain a non-belligerent, consider the interplay between ideological motivations and pragmatic concerns.
- This duality is a recurring theme in Fascist foreign policy.
Why Did Italy Join the War in June 1940?
- Ideological and Personal Motivations:
- Mussolini's Fascist doctrine emphasized militarism and national glory.
- Remaining neutral contradicted his image as a decisive leader.
- He famously declared, "To make a people great, [the country] must be sent into battle".
- Fear of Marginalization:
- Mussolini worried that a neutral Italy would become a lesser power, akin to "another Switzerland."
- He feared that a German victory would leave Italy isolated and vulnerable.
- Economic Pressures:
- Germany was a major buyer of Italian goods and owed Italy $40 million by August 1939.
