Topic Eight (1.8): Aims and Impact of Foreign Policy

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

This is a huge topic but be clear that you are concentrating on aims and impact, not the detail of what happened. For aims, you need to decide how consistent these were, and analyse the causes of any fluctuations.

Read & Make Notes Icon.png Read and Make Notes

Read pages 146 to 157 in European Dictatorships 1918-1945 and make notes.

Watch Icon.png Watch

Watch the following videos about Mussolini’s foreign policy in the 1920s & 1930s:

WATCH – Mussolini’s Foreign Policy in the 1920s & 1930s: Professor John Gooch – Part 1 (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Mussolini’s Foreign Policy in the 1920s & 1930s: Professor John Gooch – Part 2 (YouTube) Links to an external site.

WATCH – Mussolini’s Foreign Policy in the 1920s & 1930s: Professor John Gooch – Part 3 (YouTube) Links to an external site.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

  • Now answer the following questions:
    1. What were the components of Mussolini’s foreign policy?
    2. How traditional was it?
    3. What turning points can you identify?
    4. How did his relationship with Germany change?
  • See the following materials for help:

EXPLORE – Mussolini Aligns with Hitler (Khan Academy) Links to an external site.

  • In what ways (and for what reasons) have historians disagreed about Mussolini’s foreign policy?

Reflect Icon.png Reflect

  • Do you agree that the consistent foreign policy aims of Mussolini were to:
    • achieve Great Power status for Fascist Italy and equality with its former allies, Britain and France?
    • pursue an aggressive and adventurous foreign policy, to boost Mussolini’s personal prestige and public support?
    • expunge the memory of Italy’s defeats and poor record in the First World War?
    • revise the peace terms agreed at Paris in 1919, the so called ‘mutilated victory’, and to solve the Fiume issue?
    • increase Italian influence over the Mediterranean Sea, which Mussolini called Mare Nostrum or ‘our sea’?
    • extend Italian influence over the Adriatic Sea and the Balkans region?
    • create a more powerful Italian Empire, by conquest if necessary, especially in North Africa?
    • spread fascism and gain allies in Europe, which would strengthen Italy and the leadership of Mussolini?
  • Give an example of each.
  • Which aims were less consistent?
  • Do you agree with the analysis in the following document?

Download READ – Extract 1 from Review of The Triumph of the Dark: European International History, 1933-1939 by Zara Steiner (Reviews in History)

  • Can you identify any successes to balance this view?

N.B. You can see the full review here:

READ – Full Review: The Triumph of the Dark: European International History, 1933-1939 by Zara Steiner (Reviews in History) Links to an external site.

Stretch Icon.png Stretch Activity

  • Watch this video and plan an answer to the following question: How far do you agree that the consequences of the invasion of Abyssinia were disastrous for both Mussolini and Italy by 1940? (30 marks)

WATCH – Italy and the Road to War (YouTube) Links to an external site.

  • See the suggested content in the following document:

Download CHECK – Topic 1.8 Answer Sheet

Worksheet Icon.png Assignment

When you have completed all the activities and are fully prepared and feel confident with the material, you should complete Assignment One and submit it to your tutor via Canvas for marking and feedback.