Italy in World War II. The consequences of war for the country

As you know, fascist Germany during World War II had two main ally, who voluntarily helped Hitler and had their own political and economic goals. Like Germany, Italy suffered enormous human and material losses in the Second World War.

The policy of Benito Mussolini, which led Italy to war

In the development of Italy and Germany in the 30s there was much in common. Both states became economically strong, but all kinds of protest movements were suppressed and a totalitarian regime was established. The ideologist of Italian fascism was the Prime Minister of the State Benito Mussolini. This man had monarchical habits, but it can not be said that he, like Hitler, was preparing for war. By the beginning of the Second World War, his country was not economically and politically prepared. The main goal of Benito Mussolini is the creation of an economically strong totalitarian regime.

What did Mussolini achieve before 1939? Let's note some moments:

- Combating unemployment through the implementation of public public works;

- expansion of the public transport system, which improved communication between cities and the country as a whole;

- the growth of the Italian economy.

One of the shortcomings of the Mussolini regime was its expansionist orientation. This will lead to serious consequences for the country already by 1943.

Italy in World War II: the initial phase

This country went to war late. Italy in the Second World began to take part since June 1940. The main factor, which did not allow entering the war before, is the absolute unpreparedness of the army and the economy for active combat operations.

The first active action of Mussolini was the declaration of war between Great Britain and France. Italy entered the war after the Wehrmacht troops occupied the whole of Scandinavia, many European countries and began fighting in the French lands. Analyzing the course of events, we can say that Italy entered the war under pressure from Germany. Hitler during 1939-1940 several times traveled to Rome to demand the beginning of active action on the part of Mussolini against common opponents.

The Nazis never considered the Italians as serious partners. Italy during the Second World War was performing any team from Berlin. Throughout Italy's participation in the war, its troops were scattered chaotically on all fronts of the fighting, including in Africa. If to speak about purely military operations, the first act of participation of the state of Italy in the Second World War was the bombardment of Malta on June 11, 1940.

The actions of the Italian troops in August 1940 - January 1941

According to the chronology of the military operations of Mussolini's troops, we clearly see two directions of attack by the advancing side. Let's analyze the main offensive operations of Italians:

- Invasion of Egypt on September 13, 1940. The troops moved from Libya, which had long been an Italian colony. The goal is to take over the city of Alexandria.

- In August 1940, there were attacks in the direction of Kenya and British Somalia from the territory of Ethiopia.

- In October 1940, the Italians attacked Greece from Albania. It was in these battles that the troops met the first serious rebuff. There was complete lack of preparation for the war and weakness of the troops of Italy.

Italy: defeat

The fate of Italy in this war, in principle, was absolutely logical. The economy could not stand the load, because there was a very strong military order, which the industry could not fulfill. Reason: lack of raw materials and fuel base in the required quantity. Italy during the Second World War, especially ordinary citizens, is very badly affected.

There is no point in describing the military operations of 1941-1942. The fighting took place with varying success. Mussolini's troops often suffered defeat. In the society, protests intensified, which manifested itself in activating the communist and socialist movements, and in strengthening the role of trade union organizations.

In 1943, Italy was already very weak and exhausted fighting. Opposition to the opponents was no longer possible, so the leaders of the country (except Mussolini) decided to slowly withdraw the country from the war.

In the summer of 1943 a landing of troops of the anti-Hitler coalition landed on the territory of Italy .

Italy after World War II

Consider the consequences of the war for this country. They can be divided into several groups: political, economic and social.

The main political result was the fall of Benito Mussolini's regime and the country's return to the democratic channel of development. This was the only positive moment that the war brought to the Apennine peninsula.

Economic consequences:

- the decline in production and GDP in 3 times;

- Mass unemployment (officially registered more than 2 million people who were looking for a job);

- Many enterprises were destroyed during the fighting.

Italy in the Second World War was taken hostage by two totalitarian political regimes, which as a result ceased to exist.

Social consequences:

- Italy after the Second World War missed more than 450 thousand soldiers killed and about the same wounded;

- in the army at that time, mostly young people served, so their death entailed a demographic crisis - about a million babies were not born.

Conclusion

After the Second World War, Italy was very weak economically. That is why the number of communist and socialist parties has constantly grown, their influence on the life of the state. To overcome the crisis in 1945-1947 in Italy, more than 50% of private property was nationalized. The main political moment of the second half of the 40s - in 1946 Italy officially became a republic.

From the path of democratic development, Italy has never gone away again.