Italy and the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923

Abstract

Italy and the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923

Abstract

Recent Italian historical studies concur in saying that one cannot talk
of "Fascist" foreign policy before the end of the tvventies. It is true that
Fascism came to power in October 1922. But until 1929 Italian foreign
policy was decidedly subordinated in Mussolini's strategy to domestic and
financial considerations.1
There were two kinds of reasons: a subjective one
which aimed to see Fascism grow stronger at home; and an objective one,
which concerned the stagnation of the international scene not allowing much
flexibility avvay from the mainly traditional foreign policy Mussolini had to
follow in this period. It is also true that, at the very beginning, Mussolini
was thought to have considered Fascism as a legitimizing ideology for his
foreign policy.2
A change in this situation occurred, on account of the great economic
crisis (1929). A more dynamic foreign policy was needed to bolster economic
policies aiming at new markets for Italy in the Danubian-Balkan region.

Keywords

• Italy
• Treaty
• Lausanne