Real Dictators Benito Mussolini Part 5: The Pact of Steel
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Jan 15, 2025 At a crucial peace conference, Mussolini attempts to position himself as a mediator amid the growing tension in Czechoslovakia. His alliance with Hitler deepens, reflecting their mutual ambitions against Bolshevism. Mussolini's sudden shift towards antisemitism reveals unsettling parallels with Nazi policies. As Italy invades Albania, Mussolini’s initial military successes cast a shadow over the challenges that lie ahead, marking the beginning of Italy's complicated journey in World War II.
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Mussolini the Peacemaker
- Mussolini receives an urgent call from Chamberlain to intervene in the Sudetenland crisis.
- He proposes a four-power conference, positioning himself as a peacemaker.
Shifting Perceptions of Mussolini
- Mussolini's early rule was tolerated as a domestic issue.
- However, his international actions, like interventions in Ethiopia and Spain, raised alarms.
The True Target of the Axis
- The Rome-Berlin Axis, initially presented as anti-Bolshevik, targeted Britain and France.
- Hitler prioritized an alliance with Mussolini to further his expansionist goals.