The Pact of Steel, Nazi-Soviet Pact, and the Outbreak of War
The Pact of Steel: A Symbol of Fascist Unity
- Signed on May 22, 1939, the Pact of Steel was a formal alliance between Italy and Germany, officially named the Pact of Friendship and Alliance.
- It consisted of two main sections:
- Public Declaration: A commitment to mutual trust and cooperation.
- Secret Protocol: A pledge to align military and economic policies.
The pact was initially intended to include Japan, but disagreements over its focus, Japan wanted it to be anti-Soviet, while Italy and Germany aimed it at Britain and France, prevented this.
Motivations Behind the Pact
- Mussolini's Ambitions:
- After the invasion of Albania in April 1939, Mussolini sought to match Germany's aggressive expansion and restore Italy's prestige.
- Despite internal opposition from Italian generals and the public, Mussolini pushed for the alliance, driven by a desire to solidify Italy's status as a major power.
- When analyzing alliances like the Pact of Steel, consider the motivations of each party.
- Mussolini sought prestige and power, while Hitler aimed to secure his strategic position in Europe.
