Italy Foreign Policy Under Mussolini 1923 Mussolini occupies Corfu. Withdraws when Greece pay – ‘compensation’. Jan. 1924 Mussolini occupies Fiume. – 1929 Lateran Treaty between the fascists and the Vatican. – Anti-German Period 1934 Mussolini opposes unification of Austria and Germany sees Austria as his sphere. – – 1934 Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss assassinated by Nazis Mussolini angry/worried – – 1935 Italy joins Front’ with Britain and France to oppose German aggression. – ‘Stresa 1935 Mussolini invades Abyssinia. – Pro-German Period Nov. 1936 Axis. First treaty with Germany signed by Count Ciano (Foreign – ‘Rome-Berlin Minister and Mussolini’s cousin). 1936 Italy joins Germany in assisting Franco’s Fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War – 1937 Italy, Germany and Japan sign the Pact’. Unites Fascist countries and – ‘Anti-Comintern Japan in their aim to crush the USSR. March 1939 Italy issues ultimatum to Albania to accept takeover tries to bribe King Zog. – – April 1939 Italy invades Albania. Albania defeated King Zog deposed and replaced as king – – by King Emmanuel of Italy. May 1939 Ribbentrop and Ciano sign of Friendship and Alliance’ aka of Steel’. –Von ‘Pact – ‘Pact Sept. 1939 Mussolini declares neutral when Germany invade Poland. – World War II Period 1940 - Believing a Germany victory inevitable, Mussolini enters war. Italian invasion of Egypt (from Libya) crushed by British forces. Oct. 1940 invades Greece from Albania attack defeated. Germany intervenes to – – prevent Italian defeat. 1941 Italy loses Abyssinia. – 1942 More Italian osses in Northern Africa. – 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily followed by invasion of mainland. Italy surrenders in September. – 1943 Mussolini deposed but rescued and re-installed by Germans in Northern Italy in a puppet – state called the Republic of Salo. 1945 Captured trying to escape to Germany and executed by anti-fascists. –
Italy Foreign Policy Under Mussolini 1923 – Mussolini occupies Corfu. Withdraws when Greece pay ‘compensation’. Jan. 1924 – Mussolini occupies Fiume. 1929 – Lateran Treaty between the fascists and the Vatican. Anti-German Period 1934 – Mussolini opposes unification of Austria and Germany – sees Austria as his sphere. 1934 – Austrian Chancellor Dollfuss assassinated by Nazis – Mussolini angry/worried 1935 – Italy joins ‘Stresa Front’ with Britain and France to oppose German aggression. 1935 – Mussolini invades Abyssinia. Pro-German Period Nov. 1936 – ‘Rome-Berlin Axis. First treaty with Germany signed by Count Ciano (Foreign Minister and Mussolini’s cousin). 1936 – Italy joins Germany in assisting Franco’s Fascist forces in the Spanish Civil War 1937 – Italy, Germany and Japan sign the ‘Anti-Comintern Pact’. Unites Fascist countries and Japan in their aim to crush the USSR. March 1939 – Italy issues ultimatum to Albania to accept takeover – tries to bribe King Zog. April 1939 – Italy invades Albania. Albania defeated – King Zog deposed and replaced as king by King Emmanuel of Italy. May 1939 –Von Ribbentrop and Ciano sign ‘Pact of Friendship and Alliance’ – aka ‘Pact of Steel’. Sept. 1939 – Mussolini declares neutral when Germany invade Poland. World War II Period 1940 - Believing a Germany victory inevitable, Mussolini enters war. Italian invasion of Egypt (from Libya) crushed by British forces. Oct. 1940 – invades Greece from Albania – attack defeated. Germany intervenes to prevent Italian defeat. 1941 – Italy loses Abyssinia. 1942 – More Italian osses in Northern Africa. 1943 – Allied invasion of Sicily followed by invasion of mainland. Italy surrenders in September. 1943 – Mussolini deposed but rescued and re-installed by Germans in Northern Italy in a puppet state called the Republic of Salo. 1945 – Captured trying to escape to Germany and executed by anti-fascists.
italy-and-the-road-to-war-video-questions.docx