Italy's Changing Relationship with Germanyin The 1930's

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Italy's Changing Relationship with Germanyin The 1930's

By the 1920's, Mussolini realised that a strong resurgent Germany who

were seeking revenge for Versailles would threaten Britain and France.

This, he hoped, would make them more amenable to Italian demands.

Neither country wanted Italy as an enemy; therefore Mussolini would

have the ability to play off the countries against each other. This

would give Mussolini a great advantage.

It seems likely that Mussolini had funded the Nazi's (along with many

other right-wing, fascist groups in late 1920's Germany) and therefore

should have been happy regarding Hitler's rise to power. However,

early relations between Italy and Germany were turbulent. Mussolini

enjoyed reaping the rewards of what he saw as his creation, fascism.

The fascist regime was spreading throughout Europe; however Mussolini

was slightly apprehensive that Germany could possibly be seen as the

centre of fascism. The truth was that he did not want to be

overshadowed by Hitler's strong personality.

A stronger, more prolific concern was that the new German fascist

regime could possibly take over Austria; this would increase Germany's

power and meaning that Italy would then share an "alpine border" with

the new great Germany. This would in turn, mean that Italy would lose

the security of her northern border which was guaranteed by victory

over Austria-Hungary in 1918, and there was a possibility that Italy

could be pressurised into giving over the German speaking areas in

North Eastern Italy which were obtained at the peace conference.

The danger of an Austro-German union was even more apparent to the

Austrian gov...

... middle of paper ...

...was aware that to realise his ambitions, war

was inevitable. He believed (and hoped) that he could win a war

against France. He believed Britain would keep out of any conflict and

in February 1939, the duce presented a candid analysis of his foreign

policy aims and made it clear he was prepared for confrontation, even

with Britain if need be.

While preparations were going ahead for the invasion of Albania,

Mussolini received a shock from his German friends. German troops had

invaded Czechoslovakia in March 1939. He was furious and once again,

contemplated changing sides. Once again, his thoughts of this lasted

for a short period. Real fear of Germany was now added to the

admiration of her success. Mussolini felt it was better to be friends

with a dynamic regime rather than pick up the losses of Germany's

victory.

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