Explain what Mussolini hoped to gain by entering the Second World War in 1940

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June 2012

EXPLAIN WHAT MUSSOLINI HOPED TO GAIN BY ENTERING THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN 1940. (8)

Mussolini had no option but to declare Italy 'non-belligerent' in September 1939 as Italy were completely unprepared for war. This was a humiliating move for Mussolini who had aimed to create an aggressive and warlike nation to make Italy great, feared and respected and to make Italy a major international power. It was a blow to his own prestige and he resented his inferior position.

In 1940 Mussolini could no longer stand to be out of war. Germany had become the dominant force in Europe and Mussolini motivated by greed declared war on Great Britain and France in June 1940. Additionally Mussolini felt that it would be a short war and the collapse of Britain and France was anticipated and close at hand.

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Mussolini was used to being on the winning side so wanted to enter with Germany to gain the most territorial gains. Mussolini wanted to expand and develop his colonial empire and he had ambitions in the Balkans, Africa and the Mediterranean. The scale of the German victories of the autumn of 1939 and the early summer of 1940 stimulated Mussolini’s greed. There was now the prospect of large rewards if Italy joined the war on Germany’s side. It appeared that the war would soon be won by Germany. It was, therefore, imperative to ‘assist’ Germany before the opportunity to ...

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