Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Foreign policy, 1935–40: invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences;…
Full specification wording
Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, c1935–46: Foreign policy, 1935–40: invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences; intervention in the Spanish Civil War and its consequences; diplomatic breakdown of Stresa Front and the move towards Germany; domestic tensions; Pact of Steel; Italian neutrality, 1939–40.
From 1935, Mussolini pursued aggressive expansion.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
From 1935, Mussolini pursued aggressive expansion. The invasion of Abyssinia (1935–36) was a propaganda triumph but led to League sanctions, economic strain and diplomatic isolation. Intervention in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) further drained resources and worsened relations with Britain and France. Consequently, the Stresa Front suffered a diplomatic breakdown, pushing Italy towards Germany via the Rome–Berlin Axis (1936). Domestic tensions grew over the cost of war, sanctions and rationing. The Pact of Steel (May 1939) formalised an offensive and defensive alliance with Germany. Despite this, Italy remained neutral (non-belligerent) when war broke out in September 1939, entering only in June 1940. Thus, foreign policy successes were costly and ultimately weakened Italy.
What earns the marks
- Invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences: driven by colonial ambition and revenge for Adowa; resulted in League of Nations sanctions, economic strain, and diplomatic isolation from the West.
- Intervention in the Spanish Civil War and its consequences: military support for Franco drained Italian resources, exacerbated domestic economic issues, and further alienated Britain and France.
- Diplomatic breakdown of Stresa Front and the move towards Germany: Western opposition to the Abyssinian invasion ended the Stresa Front, leading Mussolini to align with Hitler through the Rome-Berlin Axis (1936).
- Domestic tensions and the Pact of Steel: sanctions and war costs caused public discontent; the 1939 Pact of Steel committed Italy to a full military alliance with Germany despite domestic unpreparedness.
- Italian neutrality, 1939–40: Mussolini declared 'non-belligerence' in September 1939 to evade the Pact of Steel's obligations, delaying entry until June 1940 when German victory seemed assured.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming Italy was fully prepared for war in 1939.
Put it right: Italy was economically and militarily unprepared, which is why Mussolini initially stayed neutral.
Describing the Pact of Steel as a purely defensive alliance.
Put it right: It was a full offensive and defensive military alliance committing immediate assistance; Italy's 1939 non-belligerence was an evasion of this treaty.
Overlooking the domestic impact of foreign policy.
Put it right: Sanctions and war costs caused significant economic strain, rationing, and public discontent in Italy.
Exam tips
- Link each foreign policy event to its consequences for Italy’s international standing and domestic situation.
- Analyse the shift from the Stresa Front to the Rome–Berlin Axis, explaining why Italy moved towards Germany.
Try the lesson
The start of the Challenges to, and the fall of, the fascist state, c1935–46: Foreign policy, 1935–40: invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences; intervention in the Spanish Civil War and its consequences; diplomatic breakdown of Stresa Front and the move towards Germany; domestic tensions; Pact of Steel; Italian neutrality, 1939–40. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was a major diplomatic consequence of Italy's invasion of Abyssinia in 1935?
Listen
From 1935, Mussolini pursued aggressive expansion. The invasion of Abyssinia (1935–36) was a propaganda triumph but led to League sanctions, economic strain and diplomatic isolation. Intervention in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39) further drained resources and worsened relations with Britain and France. Consequently, the Stresa Front suffered a diplomatic breakdown, pushing Italy towards Germany via the Rome–Berlin Axis (1936). Domestic tensions grew over the cost of war, sanctions and rationing. The Pact of Steel (May 1939) formalised an offensive and defensive alliance with Germany. Despite this, Italy remained neutral (non-belligerent) when war broke out in September 1939, entering only in June 1940. Thus, foreign policy successes were costly and ultimately weakened Italy. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences: driven by colonial ambition and revenge for Adowa; resulted in League of Nations sanctions, economic strain, and diplomatic isolation from the West. Intervention in the Spanish Civil War and its consequences: military support for Franco drained Italian resources, exacerbated domestic economic issues, and further alienated Britain and France. Diplomatic breakdown of Stresa Front and the move towards Germany: Western opposition to the Abyssinian invasion ended the Stresa Front, leading Mussolini to align with Hitler through the Rome-Berlin Axis (1936). Domestic tensions and the Pact of Steel: sanctions and war costs caused public discontent; the 1939 Pact of Steel committed Italy to a full military alliance with Germany despite domestic unpreparedness. A common slip: Claiming Italy was fully prepared for war in 1939. Instead, Italy was economically and militarily unprepared, which is why Mussolini initially stayed neutral. Exam tip: Link each foreign policy event to its consequences for Italy’s international standing and domestic situation.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Italy entered the war
- 2. Invasion of Abyssinia
- 3. Pact of Steel signed with Germany
- 4. Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Domestic tensions and the Pact of Steel
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Italian neutrality, 1939–40
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Invasion of Abyssinia and its consequences
- Driven by colonial ambition and revenge for Adowa, it resulted in League of Nations sanctions, economic strain, and diplomatic isolation from the West.
- Domestic tensions and the Pact of Steel
- Sanctions and war costs caused public discontent, and the 1939 Pact of Steel committed Italy to a full military alliance with Germany despite domestic unpreparedness.
- Italian neutrality, 1939–40
- Mussolini declared 'non-belligerence' in September 1939 to evade the Pact of Steel's obligations, delaying entry until June 1940 when German victory seemed assured.
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