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Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919–1935: The Origins of Fascist Italy's African War
Mussolini in Ethiopia, 1919–1935 looks in detail at the evolution of the Italian Fascist regime's colonial policy within the context of European politics and the rise to power of German National Socialism. It delves into the tortuous nature of relations between the National Fascist Party and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), while demonstrating how, ultimately, a Hitler-led Germany proved the best mechanism for overseas Italian expansion in East Africa. The book assesses the emergence of an ideologically driven Fascist colonial policy from 1931 onwards and how this eventually culminated in a serious clash of interests with the British Empire. Benito Mussolini's successful flouting of the League of Nations' authority heralded a new dark era in world politics and continues to have its resonance in today's world.
236 pages, Paperback
First published September 30, 2015
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About the author
Robert Mallett
10 books2 followersRobert Mallett is Teaching Fellow in Modern History at the University of Birmingham.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
November 4, 2019
2 and 1/2 stars.
The title 'Mussolini in Ethopia' is a bit of a misnomer (although to be fair, the dates 1919-1935 tell a truer story). Mussolini doesn't make it to Ethiopia within these pages. The subtitle 'Origins of War' is more to the point - the book tells the story of the build-up to war but reveals nothing about the war itself or its consequences. Having read this now I'd say it was an unwise choice to limit the narrative to that point. Before picking this up, I knew very little of Fascist Italy from 1922 to 1935 and I can't claim to know all that much now. The author focused at times more on the inner workings of Nazi Germany and the back- and fro between Mussolini and French and English diplomats from whom he tried to wrangle 'permission' to wage war on the African country. I'll hasten to add that the process was highly tedious, and its depiciton is marred by quite a bit of repetition.
Sadly absent in this account is an Ethiopian point of view of the build-up, too, a deeper insight into the workings of the fascist Italian state and some background information about Italy's then-existent African colonies (Eritrea, Somalialand, Libya).
The title 'Mussolini in Ethopia' is a bit of a misnomer (although to be fair, the dates 1919-1935 tell a truer story). Mussolini doesn't make it to Ethiopia within these pages. The subtitle 'Origins of War' is more to the point - the book tells the story of the build-up to war but reveals nothing about the war itself or its consequences. Having read this now I'd say it was an unwise choice to limit the narrative to that point. Before picking this up, I knew very little of Fascist Italy from 1922 to 1935 and I can't claim to know all that much now. The author focused at times more on the inner workings of Nazi Germany and the back- and fro between Mussolini and French and English diplomats from whom he tried to wrangle 'permission' to wage war on the African country. I'll hasten to add that the process was highly tedious, and its depiciton is marred by quite a bit of repetition.
Sadly absent in this account is an Ethiopian point of view of the build-up, too, a deeper insight into the workings of the fascist Italian state and some background information about Italy's then-existent African colonies (Eritrea, Somalialand, Libya).
October 7, 2021
excellent source and fairly interesting read
This has one of those diplomatic blow-by-blows, but does a good job to keep it moving and give some context.
It makes for an engaging enough read, though there are a few times the author keeps treading water and fails to say something new. Less of this and a little more context / military information would have strengthened this - tell us more about the defenses of Malta, Taranto, Rome, Suez, Alexandria, Gibraltar
more about the Italian air infrastructure and force
This has one of those diplomatic blow-by-blows, but does a good job to keep it moving and give some context.
It makes for an engaging enough read, though there are a few times the author keeps treading water and fails to say something new. Less of this and a little more context / military information would have strengthened this - tell us more about the defenses of Malta, Taranto, Rome, Suez, Alexandria, Gibraltar
more about the Italian air infrastructure and force
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews