Italy's Entry into the Second World War
The Impact of Fascism on Italian Foreign Policy
- Fascist Ideology: Mussolini's foreign policy was deeply rooted in Fascist principles, emphasizing:
- Glorification of War: War was seen as a means to forge a strong national character.
- Imperial Expansion: Mussolini sought to recreate the Roman Empire, focusing on the Mediterranean and Africa.
- Rejection of Diplomacy: Mussolini distanced Italy from traditional alliances, aligning instead with Nazi Germany.
Mussolini's shift from diplomacy to aggression marked a departure from earlier Italian foreign policy, which had been more cooperative with Western democracies.
Domestic Economic Issues and Their Influence
- The Great Depression: Italy faced severe economic challenges, including:
- Withdrawal of U.S. Investment: This led to a collapse in industry and agriculture.
- Rising Unemployment: Reaching 2 million by the early 1930s.
- Government Intervention: Mussolini's regime increased state control over the economy, creating the largest public sector in Europe outside the Soviet Union.
- Distraction through Foreign Policy: To divert attention from domestic failures, Mussolini pursued aggressive expansion, such as the invasion of Abyssinia.
When analyzing Mussolini's foreign policy, consider how his personal ambitions and ideological beliefs often overrode pragmatic considerations, leading to risky and costly decisions.
Changing Diplomatic Alignments in Europe After 1933
The Four Power Pact (1933)
- Mussolini's Vision: The pact aimed to establish Italy as a key player in European diplomacy, reducing the influence of smaller nations.
- Limited Impact: Although signed by Britain, France, Germany, and Italy, the pact was largely symbolic and failed to achieve lasting cooperation.
Mussolini's desire to position Italy as a mediator in European affairs was undermined by his later alignment with Germany, which alienated Britain and France.
The Stresa Front (1935)
- Formation: Italy, Britain, and France united to oppose German rearmament and protect Austrian independence.
- Collapse: The Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935, which allowed Germany to expand its navy, undermined the Stresa Front and pushed Italy closer to Germany.
- It's a common misconception that the Stresa Front was a strong alliance.
- In reality, it lacked clear enforcement mechanisms and quickly disintegrated due to conflicting interests among the signatories.
