Italy and WWII?

Question

What were the incentives/motives for Italy to join WW II?

Answer 1

All the way back to the early 1920's Mussolini had visions of expansion of the Italian empire and tried to conquer Ethiopia and other areas of Africa and the Mediterranean region.

When World War II broke out Fascist Italy had an alliance with Nazi Germany, and Mussolini saw opportunities to expand into Greece and to strengthen Italian domination of the Mediterranean Sea.

Problem is that the Roman Empire wasn't coming back and Mussolini soon became the junior partner. Also the Italians seem to make better lovers than fighters.

Hitler likely believed the war would not come as soon as it did, and compounded the problem by invading the Soviet Union in 1941. This, along with the American and British bombing campaigns, led to the collapse of the Axis.

Once tables were turned, Mussolini's doom was more or less sealed. Most Italians had no desire to fight America or Britain and there was no support for Il Duce.

Answer 2

To try and take its "Place in the Sun" so to speak.

One needs to remember that Greece and Rome were the fountainheads of western civilization. But ever since the fall of Rome, the area that is now known as Italy, was eclipsed by all of the other European nations in their global expansion, and the economic rewards they reaped from it.

Britain, France, Spain and even the Dutch and all founded worldwide colonial empires. Italy under Mussolini was trying to make up for lost time; and by joining with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, Italy felt this to be their surest and quickest way to gain a colonial empire.

Unfortunately for Italy, this turned out not to be the wisest choice after all, as history has so sadly demonstrated.

Wotan

Answer 3

Land, power, wealth. The same as the incentives for any of the aggressors in that war. There was also an element of fear - Il Duce (Mussolini) could either join Hitler or be overrun by him and be gobbled up into the germanic empire. Italy was not strong enough to stand against Hitler, but was happy to be wooed by promises of territorial gain.

Answer 4

a little off topic I know, but if you're writing a paper definitely include this...In the years leading up to WWII Italy was attempting to create an empire and one of its targets was Ethiopia. So the Italians, with all their armored trucks and motorcycles and advanced weapons of war head off to subdue the tribes of said African nation. Only once the battle begins, the Ethiopians, with their spears and leather shields, utterly route the technologically advanced Italians. Talk about underestimating your enemy!

Answer 5

Mussolini had visions of emulating the Roman Empire and had already expanded into Africa.
He hoped to dominate southern Europe and North Africa.
He did not declare war on France until it was obvious that they had been beaten by the Germans.

Answer 6

I really only know that the uncle whom I never met, was killed in action during a mission flying over Italy during WWII.

Answer 7

The effect that Italy had on the outcome of World War II.

Answer 8

Mussolini was trying to recapture the glory and power of ancient Rome. He wanted conquest and the power and wealth that went with it.

Answer 9

Motives were to build back Roman empire.