What was the main reason for Hitler to engage Italy as ally?

Question: What was the main reason for Hitler to engage Italy as ally!?

With reference to the poor performance of this ally!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

After the rebuff Italy experienced after her invasion of Abyssinia, the only choice of allies left for Mussolini was Germany and Franco's Spain!.

In July 1936, a civil war broke out in Spain between the Republicans and the Nationalists lead by the army General Franco!. The Republicans got support from various groups throughout Europe!. Stalin of Russia sent aid and troops though they were referred as "volunteers" so not to offend the League of Nations!. This in itself tended to condemn the Republicans in the eyes of many in Europe as Stalin and the communist regime in Russia still terrified many!. Mussolini and Hitler sent support and "volunteers" to Franco
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At the same time in Germany a new face was rising into power - Adolf Hitler!. Mussolini wasn’t comfortable with the new northern neighbour, though Hitler had asked him for a meeting, to speak about Austria's future!. Actually Mussolini liked Italy’s and Austria’s good relations and told the Austrian government that they would defend its independence!. Thus, Mussolini accepted the invitation and they met in 1933 in Venice, Italy, for the first time!.

Mussolini with Adolf Hitler in Munich, 1937!.

During that meeting and others after it, Mussolini always tried to impress Hitler, agreeing with him on all things!. Privately though, Mussolini often expressed scepticism about Hitler’s movements!.

In 1936, few years before World War II, Mussolini attacked Abyssinia, present Ethiopia!. Abyssinia was an undeveloped and poor country in Africa, and so this cowardly attack got a lot of disapproval!. Soon after the attack, Mussolini and the Italian army invaded Albania!.

Italy was late to enter the second World War, joining Hitler in 1940!. Mussolini needed to prove himself to Hitler!. Hitler would had wanted Italy in the war sooner, but Mussolini had wasted most of his troops and supplies in the Spanish Civil War, and so was unprepared!. Throughout the course of the war, Hitler controlled Mussolini!. He told him where to attack, what to do!. Mussolini’s health was also bad- he had developed several ulcers from worrying!.

Although Italy had joined the war with affirmations from Germany saying the war would end soon, and that Italy would receive land and reparations, the war went terribly for Italy!. Mussolini’s first attack, that July he joined the war, was on France - France who’s army had already been obliterated by the Germans earlier!. Next, Italy wanted to go onto Yugoslavia, but Hitler didn’t let him!. Instead, Hitler asked Mussolini to go against the English in Northern Africa!. Mussolini didn’t do this, instead attacking Greece without asking Hitler in fear of another ‘no’!. He was retreating from Greece in a matter of weeks!. Now, he was getting reports of English surprise attacks in Egypt!. He had to ask Hitler for help, and Hitler agreed, if Mussolini would give him something in return!. Hitler wanted for some Italians to come to Germany to farm food and work in factories!. Mussolini made this embarrassing trade!.

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They were both fascist regimes and Italy gave Germany access to the Mediterranean without going past Great BritainWww@QuestionHome@Com