Mussolini's Foreign Policy Aims

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What were Mussolini's foreign policy aims?

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1- Built Italy's overseas empire, expanding into Africa and Europe, aligning with the Roman Empire. 2- Transform Italy into a great power with a more militant, aggressive population. 3- Consolidate Italian rule in Libya.

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What aims did Mussolini have for Italy in the Mediterranean?

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To assert greater power for Italy and undermine British and French naval superiority/control.

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Where did Mussolini set his sights on colonizing in Africa?

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Abyssinia.

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What factors hindered Italy's quest to becoming a great power?

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1- Lack of essential war materials (oil, steel, explosives). 2- Limited manpower resources. 3- Limited territory overseas to colonize. 4- Hitler's foreign policy aims (Lebensraum and Anschluss). 5- Mussolini remained an outsider in European diplomacy.

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When had Italy been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting Albania's independence?

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In January 1920 at the Paris Peace Conference.

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What were the disputes over between Albania and Greece?

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The location of their shared border/southern frontier.

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When was the Corfu crisis?

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August-September 1923.

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What caused the Corfu crisis?

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The League of Nations appointed Tellini, an Italian general, to investigate disputes over the border between Albania and Greece. In August 1923, Tellini and 4 others were killed on the Greek side of the frontier.

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Who did Mussolini blame for the death of Tellini, what did he demand from them and how did they react to his demands?

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He blamed the Greek government, demanded that the murderers be caught and executed, and that 50 million lire be paid to Italy as compensation. The Greek government refused to comply.

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How did Mussolini respond to the Greek government refusing to comply with his demands?

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The Italian fleet bombarded Corfu and occupied the island.