ITALIAN FOREIGN POLICY

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ITALIAN FOREIGN POLICY
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AIMS

• To study an overview of Italian foreign policy.
• To analyse the different features of Italian
  foreign policy.
• To interpret cartoons about Italian foreign
  policy.

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QUOTATIONS

• Read through the quotations from Mussolini on
  foreign policy.
• What ideas do they give you about Italian foreign
  policy?

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TASK

• Read through the handout of key events.
• Draw out a table and complete task one in the
  focus route.

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ABYSSINIA

• 1932 Italy draws up invasion plan.
• 1934 Dec Wal Wal oasis incident.
• 1935 Oct Italy invades. Nov Limited
  sanctions from League. Dec Hoare-Laval
  Pact
• 1936 May Italy formally annexes Abyssinia.
  July End of sanctions.

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REASONS FOR THE WAR

• International prestige, Italian empire,
  long-held Italian nationalist dream.
• Political Fascism supports war, to develop the
  cult of El Duce, to rally support.
• Economic find oil, develop emigration and
  export markets.

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WHY 1935?

• Divert attention from Depression and failings of
  Corporative State.
• Show Italys power to Hitler.
• Mussolinis assumption that GB France would not
  object.

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Consolidated Italian territory in East Africa
Sanctions rallied the nation
Great victory
Sanctions forced trade shift to Germany
Support from the Church
EFFECTS OF THE WAR
Drain on resources
Upset GB France
Budget deficit rose
Guerilla war until 1941 control was only ever
limited
Lira devalued due to cost
Italian rule was regressive corrupt gained
brutal reputation for Italy
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What message does this cartoon give about the
Leagues reaction to the Abyssinian crisis?
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SPANISH CIVIL WAR

• Italy intervened on the side of the Nationalists.
• 100,000 army of volunteers
• Artillery, tanks, transport.
• Submarine attacks.
• 12 bombers.
• 400 planes and 1,400 pilots.

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WHY INTERVENE?
INTERNATIONAL
IDEOLOGICAL
Show Italian power. Italian influence in the
Mediterranean. Stop French influence in
Spain. Cultivate an ally.
Fight democracy and Socialism. Spread Fascism.
GENERAL
Stay in limelight. Have another
war. Overambitious following Abyssinia.
DOMESTIC
Maintain Fascist momentum.
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EFFECTS

• Economic disrupted trade, huge cost, lira
  devalued, foreign currency reserves lost.
• Political government became less popular.
• Military on winning side, used up weapons
  ammunition, humiliated at Guadalajara, no
  consolidation after Abyssinia, weaker in 1939
  than 1936.
• International another Fascist regime, closer to
  Germany, further from GB France.

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THE FATAL FRIENDSHIP
WHICH WAY TO GO?
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TASK

• Read through the handout.
• Complete a table as follows

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TASK 2

• Read handout 2.
• What are the five most important events?
• How did Italys view of Germany change?

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EFFECTS OF THE AXIS

• Austria invaded by Germany in March 1938
  accepted by Mussolini.
• Growing dependence on Germany viewed negatively
  in Italy.
• Growing distance from GB France?