Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919–1935 : The Origins of Fascist Italy's African War

Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919–1935 looks in detail at the evolution of the Italian Fascist regime's colonial policy within the context of European politics and the rise to power of German National Socialism. It delves into the tortuous nature of relations between the National Fascist Party and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), while demonstrating how, ultimately, a Hitler-led Germany proved the best mechanism for overseas Italian expansion in East Africa. The book assesses the emergence of an ideologically driven Fascist colonial policy from 1931 onwards and how this eventually culminated in a serious clash of interests with the British Empire. Benito Mussolini's successful flouting of the League of Nations' authority heralded a new dark era in world politics and continues to have its resonance in today's world. New evidence about the early Nazi-Fascist relationship Greater detail about Italian Fascism's role in European interwar politics A fresh analysis of Mussolini's active role in deliberately undermining the League of Nations Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919-1935 looks in detail at the evolution of the Italian Fascist regime's colonial policy within the context of European politics and the rise to power of German National Socialism. It delves into the tortuous nature of relations between the National Fascist Party and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), while demonstrating how, ultimately, a Hitler-led Germany proved the best mechanism for overseas Italian expansion in East Africa. The book assesses the emergence of an ideologically driven Fascist colonial policy from 1931 onwards and how this eventually culminated in a serious clash of interests with the British Empire. Benito Mussolini's successful flouting of the League of Nations' authority heralded a new dark era in world politics and continues to have its resonance in today's world-- Provided by Publisher Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919-1935: The Origins of Fascist Italy's African War covers Italy's post-World War I politics up to its invasion of Ethiopia in October 1935. Early on, Mallett establishes that Mussolini had a restless nature, seeking military glory and expansion to fulfill Italy's Roman imperial destiny. French hegemony on the European continent and Anglo-French control of the Mediterranean Basin thwarted Mussolini's preference for a war against Yugoslavia to conquer the Dalmatian coast. With the rise of Hitler's electoral fortunes in 1932, Mallett argues, the potential renaissance of German military power promised to constrain Anglo-French power and its ability to impede Italy's expansion in Ethiopia. Ethiopia was a member of the League of Nations. Britain, France, and Italy 1. Post-war realities: Italy 1919 2. A mutilated peace: Italy, 1919–29 3. The impending war of revenge: Europe and Africa, 1932 4. Containing the Führer: 1933–4 5. Achieving an empire: 1934–5 6. Darkening waters: January–May 1935 7. Facing down the British: May–July 1935 8. Battle lines: August–October 1935. This book examines the evolution of the Italian Fascist regime's colonial policy within the context of European politics. It demonstrates how a Hitler-led Germany ultimately proved the best mechanism for overseas Italian expansion in East Africa.