Question 3

What was the Italian attitude to German expansion in 1930s?

Paragraph One

Mussolini Fascist dictator of Italy didn’t want a strong Germany on his border
Austria – treaty of Versailles forbad union of Austria with Germany
July 1934 Chancellor Dollfuss of Austria murdered by Austrian Nazis (wanted union with Germany) – asked Hitler for help
Schuschnigg new chancellor asked Mussolini for help
Mussolini sent troops to Brenner Pass so Hitler backed down (not strong enough yet)

Paragraph Two: Stresa Front

Mussolini had meeting with Great Britain and France
Signed agreement (Stresa Front) to prevent any attempt to tamper with Versailles Treaty – clearly aimed at Hitler
No need for this – covered by League of Nations

Paragraph Three: Abyssinia/Spain

Paragraph Four: Anschluss

Union of Austria and Germany (until 1945)
This time Hitler didn’t face Italian opposition – Germany too strong and they were now allies

Paragraph Five: Munich Crisis

Sudetenland German speaking part of Czech
Hitler threatened war if he didn’t get it
Great Britain and France asked Mussolini to mediate
He pretended to produce a plan – in fact it was given to him by the German foreign office
Germany got Sudetenland and Czechs got no help from Great Britain and France even though USSR willing to act if France did

Paragraph Six: Pact of Steel

Paragraph Seven: Poland

Mussolini warned Hitler that war against Poland would become a European war and Italy wasn’t ready – even so Italy would support Germany
Italy did not join in invasion of Poland
Mussolini waited until he was sure Germany would win
So Italy invaded France in 1940 just before France surrendered
Entry into war proved disastrous – Italy surrendered 1943 when Great Britain, USA etc. invaded mainland Italy – Mussolini deposed

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