Hitler+and+Mussolini's+Foreign+Policy

Dina Barghout IB History December 10, 2009 Period 7

**Compare and Contrast** **Hitler** **and** **Mussolini****’s foreign policy.** When thinking of the most infamous dictators, Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini are on the top of that list. Whether through their ridiculous rule, foreign policy, or great effect on history, these two dictators are well known as the strongest, most ‘successful’ leaders. Although Hitler and Mussolini had extreme similar goals for their nations, they both differ in the route which they took to accomplish it. Benito Mussolini essentially was the creator of Fascism, which “was based on the total domination of the government in all spheres of political, social, economic, and cultural life.” [i] He ruled from 1922 until 1943. Mussolini’s foreign policy had several aims in it, as well as problems. He wanted to “acquire territory rich in resources – [which gave him] more cash and power. Especially needed iron ore and oil.” [ii] Mussolini also wanted to increase the military [iii]. During his rule, he dominated Albania and Ethiopia as well as sent troops to Franco to help with the Spanish Civil War. [iv] Benito tried to take over Abyssinia: “Its lands were fertile and rich in mineral wealth,” [v] and Italy needed to restore pride after it was beaten in Adowa in 1886. [vi] One of the main goals of Benito Mussolini for Italy was to create an autarky, limiting trade with countries except Germany. A few problems were present in Benito’s policy. One was that Italy was the only Fascist country, where as everywhere else was democratic. Also, Mussolini lacked natural resources, which affect his autarky plan. Lastly, he needed resources to build an army, but simply didn’t have the army to seize those resources. [vii] As similar as they were, Hitler and Mussolini’s policies also differed. Hitler’s army was used to take numerous countries in a short amount of time while it took Mussolini months to take over Ethiopia. Also, Mussolini’s rule was very dramatic, while Hitler’s was more violent, angry, and forceful. Benito Mussolini was a role model for Adolf Hitler. Hitler used similar ideas from Mussolini to control Germany, such as how Hitler used “brown shirts” for Nazis which was an original idea from Mussolini’s “black shirts”-WWI veterans. “From 1938-1945, Joachim von Ribbentrop, a Nazi party member and former ambassador to Great Britain, served as the foreign minister. During these years, Germany strengthened its ties to Fascist Italy and to Japan by signing the Anti-Comintern Pact, which aimed to combat international communism, the Pact of Steel (with Italy), and the wartime Three-Power Agreement (with Italy and Japan) [viii] .” Later, Hitler forced the Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg into signing an agreement which let Nazis into the Austrian Cabinet. “O n September 3, 1939. Hitler's aggressive foreign policy resulted in the outbreak of [|World War II] .” [ix] Hitler had a number of goals for Germany. One of his main goals was to empower Germany after the Treaty of Versailles. He also wanted to combine all German speaking countries, such as Poland and Austria, into a big, powerful Germany. His methods of achieving what he wanted were also adopted from Mussolini, which were violence by any means. [x] As Hitler once quoted, “Terrorism is the best political weapon for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death.” Although Hitler and Mussolini lead differently, they essentially had very similar foundations. Both being fascist, they ruled their countries with the same ideas in mind. Hitler, however, was a stronger leader because of the convenient use of his army to take over various countries and because he ruled Germany with a more forceful tone that leads Germany into being feared, which was one of his goals. He thought that the Treaty of Versailles was degrading to Germany, therefore became an extreme powerful nation. Also, his use of violence not only frightened citizens into following his Nazi ways, but also stroked fear in other countries. Mussolini however was much different. Although he was the inspiration for Hitler’s ways, Mussolini had much more obstacles. Mussolini’s goal of making Italy an autarky was a failure, mostly because he kept the trade between Italy and Germany. Also in order to carry out Mussolini’s plans, resources were needed that he simply couldn’t have because of his lack in army. After conquering Abyssinia, giving Franco aid for the Spanish Civil War, and overtaking Ethiopia and Albania, Mussolini joined Hitler for WWII. Both Hitler and Mussolini were villainous leaders that eventually died: Hitler by suicide, and Mussolini by his people. They left their countries in major debt, but are known today as vigorous leaders. (Below: Hitler and Mussolini [xi] ) (Below: “Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler stand together on an reviewing stand during an official visit to occupied Yugoslavia. (1941 - 1943)”) [xii]

[i] "Benito Mussolini." //Law Library- American Law and Legal Information//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . [ii] "Revision: Mussolini - Foreign Policy." //The Student Room//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . [iii] ibid [iv] ibid [v] //Benito Mussolini and the invasion of Abyssinia//. The National Archives, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . [vi] “Revision: Mussolini-Foreign Policy.” [vii] ibid [viii] "German Foreign Policy, 1933-1945." //United States// //Holocaust// //Memorial// //Museum//. N.p., 4 May 2009. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . [ix] ibid [x] Tonge, Stephen. "Hitler's Foreign Policy." //A Web of English History//. N.p., 23 Sept. 2009. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. . [xi] http://www.histories-humanities.tcd.ie/extramural/images/HitlerMussolini.jpg [xii] http://history1900s.about.com/library/holocaust/blhitler20.htm