History 4

• What was one of Mussolini's key goals in foreign policy?

  To assert Italy's status as a great power
• What was the 'mutilated victory' in relation to Italy?

  Italy's perceived weakness at the Paris Peace Conference
• What was a popular aspect of Mussolini's rule among Italians?

  His foreign policy successes
• What was a key part of Mussolini's image as 'Il Duce'?

  His role as a supreme nationalist
• How did Mussolini's foreign policy differ from previous liberal governments?

  It was more aggressive and assertive
• What phrase did Mussolini use to describe Italy's desired treatment by great nations?

  Like a sister, not like a waitress
• What was Mussolini's view on Italy's position in the world after World War I?

  Mussolini wanted Italy to be treated as a "sister" and not a "waitress" by the great powers
• Why was Mussolini's strong foreign policy popular with the Italian population?

  It was seen as standing up for Italy and claiming its rightful place as a great power
• What was the key problem behind Mussolini's grand foreign policy ambitions?

  Italy's weak military position
• What pact was signed in July 1933 between Britain, France, Germany and Italy?

  Four power pact
• What pact was signed in April 1935 between Britain and France aimed at containing German foreign policy?

  Stresa Front
• What did Mussolini do in October 1935?

  Launched Italian invasion of Abyssinia
• What pact was signed in November 1937 between Germany, Italy and Japan?

  Anti-Comintern Pact
• What happened in August 1923?

  Italy threatened Greece with invasion but backed down under pressure from League of Nations
• What happened in January 1924?

  Italy gained the port of Fiume after negotiation between the two countries
• What happened in May 1934?

  Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Austrian Nazis, and Mussolini was accused of possible German invasion of the capital Addis Ababa
• What happened in July 1936?

  Italy began the Spanish Civil War on the side of Franco
• What happened in November 1936?

  The reservoir was likely to cause
• What happened in June 1940?

  Italy announced its entry into the Second World War on the side of Nazi Germany
• How did Mussolini's relationship with Hitler and Nazi Germany develop over time?


  • Initially, Mussolini tried to develop a middle ground between Britain and Nazi Germany
  • He would sway between the two powers to extract foreign policy concessions from both
  • However, this failed and Mussolini ultimately aligned Italy with Germany in 1940 as the Nazis conquered much of Europe
  • This critical decision led to the downfall of fascism and cost Mussolini his life
• What was the impact of Italy's decision to enter World War II on the side of Nazi Germany in 1940?

  • This decision was a critical one that would lead to the downfall of fascism in Italy
  • It ultimately cost Mussolini his life
  • It ushered in a completely new political system for Italy with the founding of a republic after the war
• How did Italy change between 1943 and 1946?

  • The end of the Second World War ushered in a completely new political system for Italy with the founding of a republic
  • This represented a major change from the fascist regime that had ruled Italy prior to and during the war
• How did Mussolini's foreign policy aims differ from those of the previous liberal governments in Italy?


  Mussolini pursued a more aggressive foreign policy, backed up by action, in contrast to the perceived weakness of the previous liberal governments
• What were the consequences of Mussolini's more aggressive foreign policy in the years 1935-1940?

  It ultimately brought Italy into conflict with Britain and France and pushed Italy towards an alliance with Nazi Germany
• How did Italy's decision to enter World War II on the side of Nazi Germany in 1940 impact the country?

  It led to the downfall of fascism in Italy and the founding of a new republican political system
• What were the key foreign policy goals of Mussolini and the fascist regime in Italy?


  • Mussolini wanted Italy to be treated as an equal "sister" power by the great nations of the world, not a "waitress"
  • He pursued a more aggressive foreign policy than the previous liberal governments, backed up by action
  • This was aimed at regaining Italy's pride and asserting its power on the world stage
  • However, Mussolini's grand ambitions were tempered by the reality of Italy's weak military position
• How did Mussolini's relationship with Hitler and Nazi Germany evolve over time?

  Initially Mussolini tried to maintain a middle ground between Britain and Germany, but ultimately aligned Italy with Germany in 1940 as the Nazis conquered Europe
• What was the impact of Italy's entry into World War II on the side of Nazi Germany in 1940?

  • This decision was critical and led to the downfall of fascism in Italy
  • It ultimately cost Mussolini his life
  • It ushered in the founding of a new republican political system in Italy after the war
• How successful was Mussolini in achieving his foreign policy aims before 1935?

  Mussolini was able to develop strong relations with recognized great powers like Britain in order to improve Italy's international standing, but his grand ambitions were tempered by Italy's weak military position
• How did Italy change politically between 1943 and 1946?

  • The end of World War II ushered in the founding of a new republican political system in Italy
  • This represented a major change from the fascist regime that had previously ruled the country
• What was the significance of the consequences of Mussolini's more aggressive foreign policy in the years 1935-1940?

  It ultimately brought Italy into conflict with Britain and France and pushed it towards an alliance with Nazi Germany, which would lead to the downfall of fascism