What were Benito Mussolini's aggressions?

Answer 1

Mussolini became prime minister of Italy in 1922. In 1936, he invaded Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, in an attempt to grab a colony in Africa. The European "Scramble for Africa" that had led to the acquisition of colonies by Britain, France, Portugal, Spain, Belgium and Germany had ended in the previous century; and Mussolini's exploits were roundly criticised as colonial expansion was no longer considered acceptable.

Around the same time, Mussolini provided succour to the Fascist franco forces in the Spanish Civil War; and he joined in a pact with Hitler to create the Axis alliance. Despite this, neither Hitler nor Mussolini had much time for the other; and each considered the other rather absurd.

It is a great shame that their mutual despising did not lead to to an early break in relations; if it had Hitler might have hesitated to invade Poland (even though he knew that he could rely on his non-agression pact with the Russians).