The Rome-Berlin Axis
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 3.5.6
The Rome-Berlin Axis
In 1936, Germany and Italy signed an alliance.
1936
- As a result of Hitler’s display of strength over the re-occupying of the Rhineland, Mussolini signed a treaty to support Hitler.
- Both countries promised that they would work closely together.
- This was the Rome-Berlin Axis.
Mussolini's motivations
- Mussolini was a Fascist like Hitler and wanted a strong military dictatorship in his own country.
- He also wanted to build an empire (like the previous Roman Empire) so allied with Hitler to do this.
Spanish alliance
- Hitler also had potential allies with Spain as they were also under right-wing government.
- In 1936 they had a civil war and Hitler supported the Fascist leader Franco by sending the German air force (Luftwaffe) to help support him.
- He also sent troops to help Franco win.
Reassurance
- Hitler could have used Franco as an ally so this could have possibly motivated him to continually break the rules of the Treaty of Versailles.
Test yourself on The Rome-Berlin Axis
When did Germany and Italy sign an alliance?
When was the Spanish civil war?