Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, 1935 - 26:
Mussolini wanted Italy to be a world power on the European stage. They wanted to regain their
pride after the Paris Peace Conference embarrassment and the mutilated victory.
Foreign policy was becoming more aggressive in the mid – 1930s.
Wanted to achieve a middle ground between Nazi Germany and Britain
He was erratic and opportunistic and wanted material gain for Italy.
Wanted to revise the Versailles settlements and overcome the shame of the mutilated victory.
Wanted to expand Italian imperialism.
Wanted to assert power over the Mediterranean Sea which Italy felt they were a prisoner of the
sea as it was being claimed by Britain.
Mussolini hoped that Italy would become a more militant race and aggressive and achieve
spazio vitale – living space. It was a more aggressive form of irredentism that was influenced by
the ANI and fascism.
While aims had not changed radically, Mussolini still wanted to compromise with Britain and the
League of Nations.
Mussolini’s foreign policy in Africa would bring him into conflict with L of N and Britain.
This tension would lead him to develop tension with Hitler and the Spanish Civil War.
Wanted to revise its border, imperialism in Africa, become a stronger military power and
become more aggressive getting spazio vitale and control over the Mediterrean Sea.
1922 – few months before becoming PM he travels to Switzerland to negotiate reparations after
WW1.
Showed how Italy could be a peaceful power but how much more decisive he was than the
liberal politicians.
1912 – disputed territory over the Dodecanese Islands.
On 23rd August 1923 – Italian general Enrico Tellini was murdered while leading an inter-allied
commission on drawing the border between Greece and Albania.
Mussolini used this against Greece saying this was a deliberate attack carried out by the
government. He demanded that the Greek government attend a funeral service and pay a
penalty of 50 million lire, otherwise the Italian army would invade Corfu.
Invaded Corfu – national success.
L of N and B said that the occupation of Corfu should cease and that the matter led to
international arbitration.
Mussolini wanted to approach things via diplomatic negotiations after this.
Showed he was a dynamic leader that wanted to restore Italian pride.
1924 Jan Yugoslavia recognized Fiume as a part of Italy. Given to Fiume occupation by D’
Annunzio – it was huge Italian pride.
Y no longer needed the port of Fiume as they had the great port of Split be created, therefore
recognition was symbolic.
The incident in Corfu was domestic.
Mussolini wanted Italy to be a world power on the European stage. They wanted to regain their
pride after the Paris Peace Conference embarrassment and the mutilated victory.
Foreign policy was becoming more aggressive in the mid – 1930s.
Wanted to achieve a middle ground between Nazi Germany and Britain
He was erratic and opportunistic and wanted material gain for Italy.
Wanted to revise the Versailles settlements and overcome the shame of the mutilated victory.
Wanted to expand Italian imperialism.
Wanted to assert power over the Mediterranean Sea which Italy felt they were a prisoner of the
sea as it was being claimed by Britain.
Mussolini hoped that Italy would become a more militant race and aggressive and achieve
spazio vitale – living space. It was a more aggressive form of irredentism that was influenced by
the ANI and fascism.
While aims had not changed radically, Mussolini still wanted to compromise with Britain and the
League of Nations.
Mussolini’s foreign policy in Africa would bring him into conflict with L of N and Britain.
This tension would lead him to develop tension with Hitler and the Spanish Civil War.
Wanted to revise its border, imperialism in Africa, become a stronger military power and
become more aggressive getting spazio vitale and control over the Mediterrean Sea.
1922 – few months before becoming PM he travels to Switzerland to negotiate reparations after
WW1.
Showed how Italy could be a peaceful power but how much more decisive he was than the
liberal politicians.
1912 – disputed territory over the Dodecanese Islands.
On 23rd August 1923 – Italian general Enrico Tellini was murdered while leading an inter-allied
commission on drawing the border between Greece and Albania.
Mussolini used this against Greece saying this was a deliberate attack carried out by the
government. He demanded that the Greek government attend a funeral service and pay a
penalty of 50 million lire, otherwise the Italian army would invade Corfu.
Invaded Corfu – national success.
L of N and B said that the occupation of Corfu should cease and that the matter led to
international arbitration.
Mussolini wanted to approach things via diplomatic negotiations after this.
Showed he was a dynamic leader that wanted to restore Italian pride.
1924 Jan Yugoslavia recognized Fiume as a part of Italy. Given to Fiume occupation by D’
Annunzio – it was huge Italian pride.
Y no longer needed the port of Fiume as they had the great port of Split be created, therefore
recognition was symbolic.
The incident in Corfu was domestic.
