How far was a shared ideology responsible for improved relations between Germany and Italy, during the period, 1936-39?

Germany and Italy were very similar in many ways. They were both one party states with a strong leader and state control of the economy. They shared an expansionist foreign policy and had the same methods of military (private armies). Both Germany and Italy shared nationalist views and a joint hatred of communism. They both hated the Treaty of Versailles and wanted it to be revised as they had both come off badly from it. Germany had lost some of its land from it, and Italy had not got what it had wanted ‘The Mutilated Victory’

But this was not the only reason for the improved relations, circumstances such as the weaknesses displayed by western allies led to furthering the link between Germany and Italy and their shared ideology was just the foundation to their relationship.

In the years before this, 1933-35 the relations had been tense. Mussolini had felt himself to be more senior than Hitler and there was also a traditional sense of Italian superiority, due to the legacy of the Roman Empire. Examples of this tension include the meeting between the two leaders in June 1934 when Hitler turned up dressed in casual clothes, whereas Mussolini was in full uniform. Mussolini dismissed Hitler as ‘a silly little clown’ also the assassination of Chancellor Dolfüss in July of 1934 in Austria, by Austrian Nazis, which was part of an attempt to try and unite Austria and Germany had forced Mussolini to move his troops to the Brenner Frontier.

In April 1935 Mussolini joined the Stresa Front against Germany and the Nazis, with reference to re-armament. The Stresa Front collapsed in December 1935. This was caused by the Franco-Soviet pact in May 1935, which angered Great Britain. The Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935 and the final straw that ‘broke the camels back’ was Italy’s involvement in the War in Abyssinia in October 1935. As a result of this Italy was now isolated, as Germany was from the West and therefore this could lead to a possible alliance between the two countries. Mussolini now viewed Great Britain and ...

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Mussolini now had begun to be impressed with Nazi Germany. Germany was an expansionist and successful state, after its success in the Rhineland remilitarization and was very similar to Italy. Also Germany had helped Italy with supplies in the Abyssinian War.

In January 1936 Mussolini took a big step forward in improving relations by accepting Austria as a Germany satellite so long as Hitler agreed there would be no Anschluss with Austria. In November 1936, the Rome-Berlin Axis, an alliance between the two countries was formed. This confirmed Italy’s isolation from her Western Allies. In December 1937, Italy left the League of Nations following Germanys example and showing how she was distancing herself from Great Britain and France.

The Spanish Civil war also helped to improve relations between the two countries. They both assisted Franco’s Right Wing in the Civil War. Germany sent Luftwaffe, a condor legion and Italy sent military help but this drained Italian resources even further as they were still involved in the War in Abyssinia. In October 1936 the Lira developed by 40%

Germany and Italy got other countries to join with them Italy joined the Anti-Comintern Pact (formed between Germany and Italy, on the 25th November 1936) on the 6th of November 1937. Thereby creating a new Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis,.

There was a waver in the improving relations in 1938. Hitler had taken over control of the military, after purging his military and foreign office officials. On the 4th of February he announced

‘From now on I take over personally

the command of the whole armed forces’

In March 1938 there was a potential for tension after Germany did not inform Mussolini of her intentions to unite with Austria, breaking the agreement made in January 1936. But Mussolini ignored Scushnigg’s called for help, and refused to return it. Hitler thanked Mussolini for this. Although, saying that he would ‘never forget’ what Mussolini had done in agreeing to this Anschluss.

This was a major turnaround from 1934 when Mussolini had sent his own troops to prevent the Anschluss.

In 1939, there seemed to be a 'pivotal moment' in that Hitler was becoming the more powerful, dominant of the two men. This was because of the triumphs in Foreign Policy. Germany’s resources were increasing due to Hitler's re-armament programme, and his economy had been strengthened when he had acquired Austria and the Sudetenland. In March 1939 Germany occupied West Czechoslovakia; this was an example of Nazi Foreign Policy in action for the first time.

This angered Mussolini and his government

‘The Axis functions only in favour of one of its parts, which tends to preponderate [be dominant], and acts entirely on its own initiative with little regard for us. I expressed my point of view to the Duce. He was cautious in his reaction and did not seem to attach great importance to the event

Count Galeazzo Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister.

As he had not been notified of Hitler’s intentions beforehand. Mussolini, as a result of this, even considered changing sides and reforming the Stresa Front with France and Great Britain. Mussolini admired Germany’s military power and was attracted to Germany’s strength over the weakness of the allies. If Italy had re-joined the western allies, he would have to become less aggressive and abandon his expansionist foreign policy.

An Alliance with Germany would further his chances of being able to expand into the foreign areas, such as the Mediterranean.

In May 1939, the pact of steel was formed. This said that either Germany or Italy would fight for the other in the event of war. Whether the action be aggressive or defensive. The terms of this pact, where in favour of Germany, which at this moment was well-advanced in her re-armament programme. It has even been suggested that Mussolini did not fully understand or even read this pact before signing it. Italy assured Germany that there was 'no doubt' about their willingness to go to war. But, Italian Foreign Minister advised Nazis that Italy would not be ready for war until at least 1943.

Hitler completely ignored this and didn’t even reply.

Hitler was very confident by this time. He was secure in his position and did not need the support of Italy. We see this in Hitler’s ability to ignore the terms of the Anti-Comintern pact by forming the Nazi-Soviet Pact in August 1939.

Mussolini sent Hitler a letter outlining his worries and queries on 25th August 1939.

‘ I consider it my implicit duty as a true friend to tell you the whole truth and inform you about the actual situation in advance. Not to do so might have unpleasant consequences for us all. This is my point of view and since within a short time I must summon the highest governmental bodies of the realm, I ask you to let me know yours as well.’

Benito Mussolini

I can hence conclude that it was not solely a shared ideology that was responsible for the improved relations between Germany and Italy, although this may have been the primary motivation. The weaknesses displayed by the allies, during this period allowed Hitler to take advantage of the situation and led to further relations with Italy. Allies weren’t in a position to stop this as neither had alliances or relations with the Germany or Italy as they had been isolated from their western counterparts.

It may also be considered a false statement to say that relations where always improved during this time. There were in fact a lot of troubles and grievances between the two countries such as the Pact of Steel.

Hitler and Mussolini together on Mussolini’s visit to Germany