Why did Italy turn their backs on the Triple Alliance to join the Allied powers which was the Triple Entente?

Answer 1

In 1882 Italy allied itself with Germany and Austria-Hungary to form the Triple Allaince because of riavlaries with France in North Africa (in the Tunisia-Libya area). The decision may not have been based on a thorough appraisal of Italy's interests. From Italy's point of view, the main problem with the alliance was that the country had claims on territory held by Austria-Hungary (South Tyrol, Trieste and hinterland and parts of the Dalmatian coast). Italy went to war against the Central Powers in 1915, fought ineffectively and became something of a liability to the Entente. Although nominally one of the "Big Four" at the peace conferences, Italy got very little. Worse still, by the end of WW1 it was suffering from severe inflation and labour unrest. Church and state were at loggerheads and there was widespread fear of Bolshevism. Italy had won a war that it couldn't afford to fight. In 1922 Mussolini and his Fascists seized power.

Answer 2

Italy wanted to provide security for the country and to show that it was a Great Power (although it truly wasn't). Germany was also looking to expand its trust to Another Country in order to prevent a two-front war, incase one was to break out. So Germany invited Italy to join its alliance with Austria-Hungary, creating the Triple Alliance. It assured that Italy would be backed up by Germany and Austria if France were to attack Italy, and Italy would back up Germany if it were to be attacked by France. This defensive-military alliance was made in 1882.

However, Italy had issues with Austria-Hungary because they disputed some land on the Adriatic coast. The Italians might have supported Germany, but it was more than likely Italy wouldn't have backed up any of these countries if they were to be attacked; they just wanted to ensure security for themselves. To add even more, France approached Italy in 1902 and they set up a secret military alliance. So it was not likely that Italy would be attacked by France now.

War broke out in 1914. At this time, Germany had created the Schlieffen Plan, where they were to attack Belgium and France then move to defeat Russia. Since the Triple Alliance was a defensive-military alliance, when Germany and Austria looked towards Italy, Italy remained neutral because they thought they were the aggressors, not the defenders. Ultimately, once things started looking up for the Triple Entente (Russia, France, and the UK), Italy saw it fit to make public their alliance with France and join the Allies. This way, if they won, Italy could acquire the Austrian land that France and the UK had promised.

Answer 3

They didn't