Why was Italy involved in World War 2?

Answer 1

This is only a brief, and superficial explanation of how Italy became involved in WWII. Basically, it was Italy's expansionist desires under Mussolini that initially got them involved. In order to help facilitate Mussolini's expansion aspirations, Italy signed a mutual-assistance pact with Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan, thus forming an alliance known as the Axis powers. Italy then launched attacks against the Albanians, Greeks, and British in North Africa. These attacks didn't go so well for Italy, so their German allies came to the rescue. The Germans then conquered Greece and most of North Africa.

Answer 2

Italy invaded Etiopia mostly because of border problems and then later allied with Germany

At that time Benito Mussolini just came into power. He promissed Italy that he would help improve the economic condition and help Italy regain the power it had in the Roman Empire. WW2 helped do that. Towards the end of the war he was overthrown and Italy surrendered.

It was either saddle up with Hitler or be overrun by him. Italy, an ally of the U.S. and Britain during WWI, got a raw deal after the war when Europe was carved up. Mussolini was of the belief (and I believe also Hitler) that after overrunning Western Europe, Hitler would sue for piece with England and regain land lost after WWI and more. Then he would turn his sights on Russia. Hitler didnt figure on the resolve of England and the U.S. entrance into WWII.Mussolini figured on getting a piece of Europe, possibly Southern France and Corsica and Something from the Balkans. Anyway, Mussolini gambled and lost. He pretty much would loose whichever way he went.

Mussolini had dreams of a new Roman Empire. He wanted as much land, loot, and glory as Italy could grab.

Because Mussolini, who was actually the first of the Fascist dictators and the senior partner until the late 1930s, had fantasies about a new Roman Empire.

The leader of Italy, Benito Mussolini, had dreams of creating an Italian empire in the Med. Once he was sure that Germany was going to beat France he declared war and joined Hitler. He hoped to grab some land at France's expense and that the war would soon be over. Instead his poorly developed country embarked on campaigns in Greece and North Africa that it was unprepared for. Italy spent the rest of the war, up until their surrender, basically taking orders from Germany as a result.

Answer 3

Answer

Italy was quite possibly the most inept and pathetic major nation involved in a major war in the last century.

Italy drug the fine German war machine into the north Africa campaign that both delayed the Russian offensive by at least a couple of weeks and drained precious resources. After making a mess of the African situation and loosing most of their petroleum starved fleet while in port, the Italian war effort pretty much collapsed, ie, until they decided to stab the Germans in the back and join the western Allies.

This gained them an occupation by German armed forces for about two years and a totally devastated economy.

Italy should have recognized their inferior military position in 1940 - lack of oil for naval operations, obsolete and incompetent air forces, pitiful armored units, unmotivated troops, inept officer corp, horribly corrupt and inefficient industrial base, etc. Instead of actively joining the war effort they would have been much more effective playing a role similar to that of Spain. They should have stayed neutral but funneled supplies to the Axis, used their armed forces as displays to force the British to continue arming their African forces, and negotiated for advantage whenever possible.

Answer 4

Benito Mussolini wanted to rule with Hitler. Hitler basically let Italy be allies with him so he could have their war making ability. He sent the Italians to Africa to seize areas that had oil. Hitler desperately needed oil and fuel. Mussolini and Hitler were both oppressive dictators so it is not surprising they aligned.

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Hitler did not send Mussolini to Africa. He had nothing to do with the invasion. Mussolini had dreams of establishing a new Roman Empire. The invasion of Ethopia was part of Mussolini's plan to start the empire.

Hitler was a huge admirer of Mussolini and was inspired by Mussolini's control of Italy. Mussolini established control of Italy before Hitler came to power in Germany. In 1936 Italy and Germany established a formal alliance with a non-military pact. In 1939, after Italy had invaded Albania, the two countries signed a military pact that bound them together further.

Regardless of the alliance with Hitler, Mussolini wanted to create a new empire with himself as the supreme leader. He had territorial desires and wanted to conquer weaker nations to form his new Roman Empire.

Answer 5

Because Mussolini saw Germany winning on all fronts in 1940 and did not want to be left out of the spoils of victory. So he sided with Hitler and then tried to conquer parts of already-defeated France, only to be beaten back by the remnants of the French army. Then he tried to invade Greece with equally disastrous results and had to be saved by the Germans.

After that it was only an ongoing series of defeats for Italy: losing its fleet through Allied bombardments, losing the war in Northern Africa, being kicked out of recently-invaded Ethiopia, participating in the disastrous Russian campaign and finally being invaded by the Allies itself. The Italians thanked Mussulini for his efforts by shooting him and hanging his body upside down in a gas station.

Answer 6

there are many reasons why Italy went into ww2 some reasons are land, money and power. if you need more look it up in a history book.

Answer 7

Its invasion of Ethiopia and membership in the Axis were parts of the creation of WWII.

Answer 8

Italy was allies with germany already because they "both beloved in the same cause" or so said hitlar.