Hitler & Mussolini Foreign Policy - Markschemes
17. Compare and contrast the foreign policies of Hitler and Mussolini between
1933 and 1943. Nov 2009
Candidates should identify the aims of the two leaders: for example, antagonism to the Paris
Peace Settlement and the establishment of an Empire. Reference could be made to the two
leaders’ attitudes to, and involvement, with the following: the Geneva peace settlement; the
Four Power Pact; the Stresa Front and legacies of Locarno; Spain; the Rome-Berlin Axis; the
Anschluss; Munich; aggression in 1939 and campaigns in the Second World War in western
and eastern Europe and North Africa. The key date is 1936 as this is when Mussolini broke with
Britain and France, choosing to ally with Hitler instead, although the aims of the leaders had
different motivations.
[17+ marks] for fully analytical and relevant answers with detail, insight, perceptive comments
and perhaps different interpretations, which address all aspects of the question.
17. Evaluate the impact on Italy of Mussolini’s domestic and foreign policies
between 1922 and 1939. May 2009
This is a straightforward question on the impact of Mussolini’s policies, domestic and
foreign. For domestic: the nature or ideology of his rule, fascist/authoritarian, economic,
propagandist, self-promotional, support of Catholic church, attempted control of
workers and education, etc. should be analysed for their impact on Italy. Their impact
on Italy included encouraging pride in Italy and seeking identification with the ancient
Roman Empire, the growth of militarism, and its personal and financial impact from
Mussolini’s wars. Foreign policies changed from seeking support of democratic powers
to imperialism, to finally allying with Hitler.
[14 to 16 marks] for focus, specific details and analytical evaluation.
[17 + marks] for an additional, or very well developed skill.
17. Mussolini wrote “war alone drives men to make their greatest efforts”. In
what ways, and with what success, did Mussolini seek to put this belief into
practice? May 2008
Mussolini frequently used slogans, exhortations and propaganda. He also liked to think
of himself as restoring the old Roman Empire, and began to expand his armed forces
in 1930, which meant that after he felt sufficiently confident he began an aggressive
foreign policy for conquests and fame. He engaged in the Ethiopian/Abyssinian War
1935–1936, the Spanish Civil War 1936–1939, Albania 1939 and the Second World
War, with Hitler (from 1940), which led to his death in 1945. He also termed some of
his domestic policies “battles” or “wars”, for example for births, grain and lira. Although
some partial success was achieved, ultimately Mussolini died as a result of war.
[17+ marks] for perceptive insight into Mussolini’s aims and methods.
17. “Foreign policy is the area which especially preoccupies us.” To what extent
do Mussolini’s actions and policies between 1922 and 1939 reflect this
statement? Nov 2007
Candidates should identify the key areas of Mussolini’s foreign policy: Corfu; Locarno;
the Four Power Pact; the Stresa Front; Abyssinia; Spain; Munich; and Albania.
Candidates should then examine Mussolini’s domestic policies and make a judgment
as to whether foreign or domestic issues were the major preoccupation of Mussolini.
[17+ marks] for fully analytical and relevant answers with detail, insight, perceptive
comments and perhaps different interpretations, which address all aspects of the
question.
19. Compare and contrast the foreign policies of Hitler and Mussolini up to the
outbreak of the Second World War. May 2006
For comparison:
both rulers pursued aggressive, expansionist, foreign policies, Mussolini with Corfu,
Abyssinia and Albania, Hitler with Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland; both left the
League of Nations; both allied to form the Axis (1936) and signed the Pact of Steel
(1939); both supported the Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.
For contrast:
Mussolini began by co-operating with main European powers in the League, against
the Anchluss, and with the Locano treaties; Hitler withdrew from the Disarmament
Conference and sent troops into the demilitarized Rhineland; time frame – Mussolini
was in power earlier.
Other points could be mentioned such as Hitler’s pacts with Poland and USSR and
naval treaty with Britain.
[17+ marks] for full and balanced comparisons.