How did Hitler & Mussolini Increase Tension in Europe? (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
Written by: Zoe Wade
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Hitler and Mussolini’s relationship - Summary
In the early 1920s, Hitler greatly admired Mussolini for his successful revolution in Italy. Mussolini created the model of a totalitarian, one-party state that Hitler wanted to replicate in Germany. Hitler openly praised Mussolini's aggressive nationalism.
However, their relationship was strained at times due to conflicts of interest. In 1934, during the Dollfuss Affair, Mussolini opposed Hitler's attempt to annex Austria. Mussolini saw Austria as part of Italy's sphere of influence. He mobilised troops on the Austrian border, forcing Hitler to temporarily abandon his plans of Anschluss.
Despite these early tensions, Hitler and Mussolini became allies. They jointly pursued policies that encouraged expansionism and militarism throughout the late 1930s. This led to them becoming the Axis powers and fighting against the Allies in the Second World War.
The Rome-Berlin Axis, 1936
By 1936, Italy had distanced itself from Britain and France
In April 1935, Britain, France and Italy signed the Stresa Front
The treaty agreed to work together to stand up against Hitler
By June 1935, Britain’s actions ended this alliance
Britain signed the Anglo-German Naval Agreement with Germany
The treaty allowed Germany to have a navy 35% the size of Britain’s
This undermined the Stresa Front
Italy and Germany began to pursue closer relations as both countries had:
Little respect for the League of Nations
Persued an aggressive foreign policy
Italy had shown this in the Abysinnia Crisis
Germany was attempting to reverse the Treaty of Versailles
On 25th October 1936, Germany and Italy entered into a treaty of friendship called the Rome-Berlin Axis
They promised to follow a common foreign policy
How did the Rome-Berlin Axis increase tension in Europe?
The Rome-Berlin Axis brought Mussolini and Hitler closer together
It was not an official alliance
It aligned Hitler and Mussolini against the League of Nations
This agreement confirmed Germany’s and Italy’s intentions to pursue their own aggressive policies, regardless of the League’s aims
They would disregard the League’s rulings against them
Anti-Comintern Pact, 1936-1937
In 1936, Germany and Japan signed the Anti-Comintern Pact
The Anti-Comintern Pact was a political alliance
Date | Terms | Impacts |
|---|---|---|
November 1936 | An agreement between Japan and Germany to help each other in the fight against communism | Italy joined the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1937 Japan, with its large military, was a powerful ally to Hitler |
How did the Anti-Comintern Pact increase tension in Europe?
Italy, Germany and Japan had a formal, political alliance
It reminded people about the complex alliance system that started the First World War
The alliance had the intention of attacking communism
Italy, Germany and Japan could use force to achieve this aim
The pact angered the USSR, who could aggressively retaliate against Italy, Germany and Japan
The Anti-Comintern Pact became a military alliance in May 1939 through the Pact of Steel
This made war in Europe more likely
Worked Example
‘The relationship between Mussolini and Hitler made war in Europe inevitable’
How far do you agree with this statement?
[16 marks]
Partial answer:
Overall, I do not believe Mussolini and Hitler’s relationship made war in Europe inevitable. Whilst their friendship through the Rome-Berlin Axis and the Anti-Comintern Pact strengthened the anti-League threat, Hitler’s aggressive actions would have happened with or without Mussolini’s agreement. Hitler was determined to overturn the Treaty of Versailles and aggressively expand Germany across Europe. This type of action was bound to cause a conflict in the long term. The Allies had to stand up and fight Hitler eventually before he took over the whole of Europe. Therefore, Hitler’s friendship with Mussolini worsened but did not cause tension in Europe.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The example above is a conclusion to this question. You may notice that it examines the impacts of Mussolini’s relationship with Hitler and the long-term impacts of Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy. This means that the conclusion is justified with evidence.
To complete this answer, you should add two or three well-explained PEEL paragraphs that explain how Mussolini and Hitler’s relationship and other factors caused the Second World War. You may also want to argue that war was not inevitable.
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 16-mark “How far do you agree” question.
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