Stresa Front
Germany declared its intention to build an air force in March 1935. This declaration marked a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty had limited the German Army to 100,000 men. It also forbade conscription within Germany. A German air force was strictly prohibited under these terms. The German government increased its army size to 36 divisions. This new force would contain 500,000 men. These actions shattered the post-World War I order. France and Britain felt compelled to respond immediately. They needed to stop further German expansion before it grew too large.
Sir Robert Vansittart drove the creation of this alliance from the British diplomatic corps. He strongly opposed appeasement policies toward Nazi Germany. His goal was to contain German power through collective action. Vansittart arranged a four-day conference starting on the 11th of April 1935. He held meetings in Stresa, a town on Lake Maggiore. Italy and France were initially suspicious of British intentions. Sir John Simon had met with German officials in Berlin just days earlier. Vansittart shared intelligence from that meeting to reassure his allies. He worked hard to prove Britain remained committed to containing Hitler. This effort helped bring France, Italy, and Britain together for the agreement.
The issue of Abyssinia bedevilled the entire conference proceedings. Italy requested an expert on the subject attend the talks. Official records made no mention of Abyssinia during the discussions. Anecdotal evidence suggested Mussolini tried to limit the Front to Europe only. This implied free rein over Abyssia for Italian actions. The British believed they had made clear that Abyssinia was off limits. Italy thought it would have total freedom there instead. These two powers failed to communicate properly about colonial ambitions. The disagreement would reach its peak in autumn 1935. It created a fatal flaw within the alliance structure before any invasion occurred.
Italy held crucial strategic importance for controlling Germany. Its geographic location suited defense of Austria perfectly. Italy sent four divisions to the border during the July Putsch of 1934. This action prevented Nazis from taking power in Vienna. With Italy against Germany, German forces had to split their troops. They needed to guard their southern border while facing France. This division weakened German strength along French and Belgian borders. The alliance aimed to contain Nazi expansion through mutual defense. Britain sought to manage Italian imperial ambitions simultaneously. Both goals required careful diplomatic balancing acts between three nations.
Italy invaded Abyssinia in October 1935 completely. The short-lived Front collapsed with that military action. Baron Vansittart received heavy criticism for organizing the initial alliance. Critics argued Britain effectively appeased Italy by allowing free hand. Mussolini told German Ambassador Ulrich von Hassell on the 6th of January 1936 he would not object to Germany taking Austria as a satellite state. He agreed to Hitler's remilitarization of the Rhineland on the 22nd of February. Italy stated it would not honor the Locarno Treaty if remilitarization occurred. The Stresa conference was judged a British fiasco by Vansittart himself. The agreement dissolved into total failure within months of its creation.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
What was the Stresa Front and when did it begin?
The Stresa Front was a 1935 agreement between France, Italy, and Britain formed to contain German expansion. The alliance began with a four-day conference starting on the 11th of April 1935 in the town of Stresa.
Who organized the Stresa Front and what were their goals?
Sir Robert Vansittart drove the creation of this alliance from the British diplomatic corps. His goal was to contain German power through collective action by bringing France, Italy, and Britain together.
Why did the Stresa Front fail after its formation?
The short-lived Front collapsed because Italy invaded Abyssinia in October 1935 completely. Mussolini felt betrayed by the UK signing the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in June 1935 without prior consultation.
How did Germany violate the Treaty of Versailles before the Stresa Front?
Germany declared its intention to build an air force in March 1935 which marked a direct violation of the treaty. The government increased its army size to 36 divisions containing 500,000 men while conscription remained forbidden under the original terms.
What role did Italy play in the strategic balance against Germany during the Stresa Front?
Italy held crucial strategic importance for controlling Germany due to its geographic location suited for defense of Austria. Italian forces prevented Nazis from taking power in Vienna during the July Putsch of 1934 by sending four divisions to the border.