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00:00:00 – 00:11:46
The video initiates a new series exploring Mussolini's foreign policy during the 1920s, highlighting a dual approach of aggression and cooperation. Historian Dennis Mack Smith is quoted, describing Mussolini as more of a bully than a negotiator. The host first examines Mussolini's ambitions, such as dominating the Mediterranean, expanding into Africa, and influencing the Balkans. A significant example is the Corfu Incident of 1923, where Mussolini's aggressive response to the assassination of an Italian general led to a temporary occupation of Corfu, demonstrating both his forceful tactics and the limitations posed by international pressure, particularly from Britain.
The discussion shifts to the Fiume question and the Pact of Rome in 1924. Mussolini pressured Yugoslavia into ceding Fiume to Italy by supporting a new government in Albania, showcasing his coercive diplomacy. The video also touches on the Locarno Treaties of 1925, which affirmed post-World War I territorial settlements in Europe and improved Italy's diplomatic relations with Great Britain, reflecting Mussolini's ability to leverage diplomatic engagements to Italy's advantage. The video closes with the host promising further exploration of the topic, providing resources, and encouraging audience interaction and support.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the host announces that they are starting a new series on Mussolini’s foreign policy, beginning with the 1920s. The host also notes a change in their recording location, now back in Brazil. They outline that Mussolini’s foreign policy was characterized by both aggression and cooperation, and they aim to explore this duality throughout the video. To introduce this theme, the host references a quote by historian Dennis Mack Smith, who described Mussolini as more of a bully than a negotiator in foreign policy. This sets the stage for examining Mussolini’s objectives and actions, which aimed to make Italy great, respected, and feared through military buildup and a strong diplomatic presence.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses Mussolini’s assertive and aggressive foreign policy objectives, which included making Italy a major power in the Mediterranean, expanding its empire into Africa, and bringing the Balkans under Italian influence. Mussolini also saw this policy as a way to energize and transform Italians into a more aggressive race, necessary for Italy to become a world superpower.
The segment then delves into the Corfu Incident of 1923, where an Italian general and his staff were assassinated in Greece, which enraged Mussolini. Mussolini made several demands to the Greek government, including a formal apology and monetary compensation. When Greece refused, Mussolini ordered a naval bombardment and the occupation of Corfu. Despite the occupation showing Mussolini’s strength and appealing domestically, international pressure, particularly from Britain, forced Italy to withdraw from Corfu, though Mussolini did secure compensation. This incident highlighted Mussolini’s aggressive tactics and his limits against major powers like Britain.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the speaker concludes the discussion on the Corfu incident, highlighting its significant use of aggression in the 1920s. The focus then shifts to the Fiume question and the Pact of Rome in 1924. The speaker provides background on the Fiume situation, noting that despite being awarded to Yugoslavia in 1915, Italy claimed the region based on ethnic grounds. The tensions peaked when Italian nationalists established a government in Fiume in 1919, but the Treaty of Rapallo returned it to Yugoslavia in 1920.
However, in 1924, Mussolini, then Prime Minister of Italy, pressured Yugoslavia into signing the Treaty of Rome. Yugoslavia conceded mainly because Mussolini supported a new government in Albania, thus posing a military threat to Yugoslavia. This support indicated a potential for aggressive action if Yugoslavia did not comply, leading to a coerced cooperation where Fiume was ceded to Italy. The segment ends by noting that this resolved the Fiume question but under significant pressure from Italy.
00:09:00
In this segment, the video discusses the importance of the Locarno Treaties of 1925. These agreements aimed to secure postwar territorial settlements in Europe post-World War I. A key point highlighted is that Germany guaranteed its new western borders with France through these treaties. For Mussolini, the treaties were significant as they improved Italy’s relations with Great Britain, especially after the Corfu incident of 1923. The treaties demonstrated Italy’s commitment to international peace and willingness to cooperate on diplomatic solutions.
The video concludes with the host expressing the intention to continue this topic in the next video due to their recovery from illness, ensuring the information is delivered effectively. They offer additional resources through provided notes and encourage viewers to reach out via email, comments, or Instagram for further questions. The host appreciates the audience’s support and engagement, urging them to like, subscribe, and stay tuned for future content.