Challenges to, and the fall of the fascist state, 1935-46
How successful was Mussolini in achieving his foreign policy aims before
1935?
Mussolini’s foreign policy aims
-Much like his other policies, he aimed to maximise his own prestige
-Key goal to assert Italy’s position as a world power
-Aimed to consolidate Italy’s power in Africa e.g Libya and the Mediterranean Sea
The impact of foreign policy success and failure before 1934
-Aimed at demonstrating to Britain and France that Italy was able to work peacefully in
achieving its aims.
Greece
-Disputes over Dodecanese Islands.
-1923 Italian general Enrico Tellini was murdered while leading a commission on drawing
the border between Greece and Albania.
-Mussolini claimed they had financed the assassination.
-Demanded the Greek government attend his funeral, and pay 50 million lire, otherwise the
Italian army would invade Corfu.
- 31st August, Italy invaded Corfu.
-League of Nations demanded Mussolini end the occupation as Britain would act.
-September left Corfu, and later received the 50 million lire.
-Greater success domestically
Yugoslavia, 1924
-Yugoslavia recognised Fiume as being part of Italy
-Significant in respect to the historical memory of d'Annunzio's occupation
-Popular achievement from Mussolini, achieved more than the liberal government had been
able to. Mainly domestic gains.
-They no longer needed Fiume, as they now had a greater port at Split.
Africa (Libya), 1929-32
-Continued the liberal government’s brutal war against a Libyan rebellion that had started in
the First World War by occupying it.
-Mussolini continued the ‘Pacification of Libya’ by using poison gas, ⅓ killed
-Finished 1932
Overall, mainly successful in terms of domestic policy, contrasting significantly with the
weak liberal governments of the past.
Relations with Britain, France and Germany
Britain
-Initially Italy and Britain had good relations, Mussolini had good relations with Churchill.
How successful was Mussolini in achieving his foreign policy aims before
1935?
Mussolini’s foreign policy aims
-Much like his other policies, he aimed to maximise his own prestige
-Key goal to assert Italy’s position as a world power
-Aimed to consolidate Italy’s power in Africa e.g Libya and the Mediterranean Sea
The impact of foreign policy success and failure before 1934
-Aimed at demonstrating to Britain and France that Italy was able to work peacefully in
achieving its aims.
Greece
-Disputes over Dodecanese Islands.
-1923 Italian general Enrico Tellini was murdered while leading a commission on drawing
the border between Greece and Albania.
-Mussolini claimed they had financed the assassination.
-Demanded the Greek government attend his funeral, and pay 50 million lire, otherwise the
Italian army would invade Corfu.
- 31st August, Italy invaded Corfu.
-League of Nations demanded Mussolini end the occupation as Britain would act.
-September left Corfu, and later received the 50 million lire.
-Greater success domestically
Yugoslavia, 1924
-Yugoslavia recognised Fiume as being part of Italy
-Significant in respect to the historical memory of d'Annunzio's occupation
-Popular achievement from Mussolini, achieved more than the liberal government had been
able to. Mainly domestic gains.
-They no longer needed Fiume, as they now had a greater port at Split.
Africa (Libya), 1929-32
-Continued the liberal government’s brutal war against a Libyan rebellion that had started in
the First World War by occupying it.
-Mussolini continued the ‘Pacification of Libya’ by using poison gas, ⅓ killed
-Finished 1932
Overall, mainly successful in terms of domestic policy, contrasting significantly with the
weak liberal governments of the past.
Relations with Britain, France and Germany
Britain
-Initially Italy and Britain had good relations, Mussolini had good relations with Churchill.
