Mussolini-Hitler Alliance/“Steel Pact”

The alliance treaty between Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, also called the “Steel Pact”, was concluded on May 22, 1939. This provided for mutual military support in the event of war, including a self-induced war of aggression. Mussolini pointed out to Hitler just eight days after the signing that Italy was not yet ready for war. Later he had trouble explaining his non-participation in the attack on Poland on September 1, 1939. Italy did not enter the war alongside Germany until June 1940. in the same year, Romania also joined the alliance. With the deposition of Mussolini in 1943, the Steel Pact also became obsolete. The Italian soldiers were now prisoners of war instead of allies.