What role did Italy play in World War II?We have been learning a lot about World War II and I'm noticing that most of the time when it comes to the Axis Powers we are mostly talking about Nazi Germany or Japan. What was Italy's role in the war and why aren't they talked about as much as Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan?
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Website #1: Axis Alliance in World War II |
This is a credible website because (1) it is a ".org", which is a non-profit; (2) it is recently updated as of 2014 as shown on the bottom of the page; and (3) at least three of the hyperlinks are in working order.
Website #2: Italy - World War II |
This is a credible website because (1) it is a ".org", which is a non-profit; (2) it is recently updated as of 2014 as shown on the bottom of the page; and (3) at least three of the hyperlinks are in working order.
Website #3: Military History of Italy During World War II |
This is a credible website because (1) it is a ".org", which is a non-profit; (2) it is recently updated as of April 2015 as shown on the bottom of the page; and (3) at least three of the hyperlinks are in working order.
My FindingsWebsite #1 - Joining the Axis PowersItaly was part of the Axis Powers during World War II along with Germany and Japan. Italy joined World War II as an ally of Germany, "On November 1, 1936, Germany and Italy, reflecting their common interest in destabilizing the European order, announced a Rome-Berlin Axis one week after signing a treaty of friendship" (Website 1). Benito Mussolini had territorial and imperial ambitions of his own and saw allying with Germany as a chance to achieve his goals. When war broke out in 1939, Italy didn't immediately declare war, "Italy entered World War II on the Axis side on June 10, 1940, as the defeat of France became apparent" (Website 1). So on September of 1940, "Germany, Italy, and Japan signed the Tripartite Pact, which became known as the Axis alliance" (Website 1). This website focuses on Italy's involvement in the Axis Alliance as well as Germany and Japan.
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Website #2 - Italy Joins the WarWhen Italy joined the war, the main part of the fighting between Germany and the Allies had already moved too far north for the Italians to be much help. But Italy's entrance brought the war to the Mediterranean region. Italy had "hoped to establish a new “Roman” Empire, encompassing the Mediterranean Sea and beyond into North and East Africa and into the Levant (Website 2). An ill-planned invasion of Greece resulted in a German invasion in April 1941 to prevent Mussolini's mistake from giving England a base of operations on the European mainland. These operations cost the Italians in men and materiel and embarrassed Mussolini. Despite Italy's alliance with Germany, "the Fascist regime responded equivocally to German demands first to concentrate and then to deport Jews residing in Italian occupation zones in Yugoslavia, Greece, and France to killing centers in the German-occupied Poland"(Website 2). Italian-occupied areas were relatively safe for Jews, "Between 1941 and 1943, thousands of Jews escaped from German-occupied territory to the Italian-occupied zones of France, Greece, and Yugoslavia" (Website 2). Italy helped many Jewish refugees survive the war. This website is helpful with understanding Italy before and after World War II.
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Website #3 - Italy Switches Sides
This website, being very informative, gives the military history of Italy and it's involvement in World War II. After the Allies took over Sicily, the other Italian leaders removed Mussolini from office. Although Germany publicly declared that they would keep fighting alongside the Germans, "the new Italian government began secret negotiations with the Allies to come over to the Allied side" (Website 3). Then a secret armistice was signed with the Allies and announced five days later. "Once the signing of the armistice was announced on 8 September, German troops quickly disarmed the Italian forces and took over critical defensive positions in Operation Achse" (Website 3). Italy forces fought with commitment against the Germans but by September 11 they were overwhelmed by superior German forces. The Italians were forced to surrender after suffering some 1,300 casualties. Many Italian soldiers were captured by German forces and given the option to fight alongside the Germans. "After the German invasion, deportations of Italian Jews to Nazi death camps began" (Website 3). By the time the Germans reached the Campagna concentration camp, "all the inmates had already fled to the mountains with the help of the local inhabitants" (Website 3).
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