Question

With reference to the foreign policy of Mussolini, answer the following question:

How did Mussolini help Austria to deal with the threat from Nazi Germany in 1934?

Answer 1

1. In 1934, when Austria faced a threat from Nazi Germany, Mussolini played a key role in helping Austria maintain its independence.
2. After the Austrian Nazis tried to take over and killed Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, with help from Hitler, Mussolini responded very strongly.
3. He was determined to stop Germany from expanding into Austria because it would throw the balance of power off and make Italy less powerful in the area.
4. To stop the danger, Mussolini got Italian troops ready and moved them to the border with Austria to show that he would not stand for Germany taking over Austria.
5. Hitler was warned by this show of force, and Germany didn’t do anything else that day.
6. In 1934, for example, Mussolini backed Austrian independence and was against Anschluss (union with Germany).
7. This showed that he was determined to stand up to German power, at least in the early stages of his foreign policy.