Question

Discuss any four significant changes in Mussolini’s foreign policy after 1935, till the outbreak of World War II.

Answer 1

The change in the foreign policy of Mussolini came when Britain signed the Anglo-German Naval agreement in the year 1935 that was a part of the British Appeasement Policy.

1. This pact motivated Mussolini and resulted in more assertive and aggressive diplomacy of Italy.
2. He started negotiating with Germany and became committed to form an alliance with it and moved away from his comparatively cordial relationship with the British.
3. Italy remained neutral when the Germans sent their troops to the Rhineland and found Britain and France helpless.
4. Mussolini understood that Germany could be a great companion for driving the expansionist policy in Europe and thus he signed several Halo-Germany agreements such as the Rome-Berlin Axis and the Pact of Steel.
5. He also got involved in a number of wars with Abyssinia, Spain and Albania.
6. His pursuit of imperial expansion and a move away from the diplomatic and cooperative foreign policy were the key features of the Italian foreign policy after 1935.