Germany and Italy were one of the most prominent empires centuries ago in Europe, contributing Europe's culture and political ideas throughout history. Both countries had established German-Italian relations after they fought against the Austrian Empire. However, in the 'Great War' or WW1 (1914-1918) known today, they were enemies though the both were part of the Triple Alliance. It was also evident that they share the same political systems.
A) Paris Peace Conference
Germany received harsh terms from the Paris Peace conference. It was held to discuss the post-war settlements, decided by the big three: Britain, France and the US. Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles. Firstly, in terms of territorial changes, it had to return Alsace-Lorraine to France and cede territories to Poland. The Saar was to be governed by the League of Nations for 15 years, and its coalfields were to be ceded to France. Territories gained from Russia were to be returned. Besides that, overseas colonies were to be returned and administered by the League of Nations. Unification with Austria should be recognized and respected, and no union with it was allowed. It also had limitation of armaments. It had to bear sole responsibilities of causing the war, and pay a huge sum of reparations.
(^ do I really need this?)
To compare, in terms of similarity in political development, Germany and Italy are greatly affected by the Paris peace Conference. Both Italians and Germans were discontent with the treaty terms. The after-effects of war spurs their hostility towards the Treaty of Versailles, leading to the fall of the Weimar Government in Germany and the Italian government. This had fatally changed the political system and condition in both countries. Trust towards the government had withered and the desire for a new leader had rose in these politically damaged condition. Besides, they felt that a political system that has an offensive approach is better than surrendering to 'winning' countries. Henceforth, it strengthened the nationalism of the people.
In terms of differences, however, Germany suffered the most from the Paris Peace Settlements. It had to pay reparations and bear sole responsibility of the WW1 in comparison with Italy who were on the victorious side. Germany joined the WW1 because it was an ally of Austria-Hungary and were eager to start a war. On the other hand, Italy joined the war in favor of Britain and France promising Alsace and Lorraine- however it did not gain in the end. Italy's performance in the war were also unsatisfactory, suffering heavy casualties and war debts.
B) Rise of Totalitarianism
Hence, the dissatisfaction led to the rise of Totalitarianism in which all political, social and economical activities are controlled by the nation. It arose in Italy and Germany in 1922 and 1933 respectively due to the public discontent with the Paris Peace Settlements. In Germany, Hitler upheld Nazism as the country's political system. On the other hand, Mussolini led its people towards Fascism.
To compare, similarities can be found. Both countries resorted to Totalitarianism to protect national interests. One-party dictatorship were used to control the country and worship the leader. Other political parties were boycotted and removed: the Italians had the Gestapo ( secret police) to murder whoever opposes the party. They also encouraged foreign expansion. Furthermore, both proved that they could tackle the economic depression. Both parties were anti-communist and anti-democratic.
In terms of differences, Germany's Nazism differ from Italy's Fascism. Fascism were not racial and had no strong opinion of any race. Rather, it holds 'state' as the most important element. Germany on the other hand spurs racism towards Jews and believes that Aryan race is the most powerful, although it also emphasized state as important element. Fascism allows religion, in which Mussolini held close connections with the Pope and encouraged Catholicism- however, Nazims denies the belief of religion. Fascism was a corporate state, following the idea of ‘corporatism’ while Nazism controlled the state's economy. Moreover, the idea of Fascism was also quite old, whereas Nazism was made right during the post war. Nazism had a slow start due to the Third Reicht's governance. Besides, Mussolini's Fascist Party weren't able to completely transform Italy into a totalitarian state, while Germany. It was also not powerful in terms of propaganda- it couldn't fully convince everyone to follow him.
C) Foreign Expansion
Right after Germany and Italy were under Totalitarian rule, they adopted foreign policy to bring glory to the country and improve the economic conditions. They formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, seeking further conquest. Mussolini in the Mediterranean, Balkans and North Africa, and Hitler in Eastern Europe and Russia.
Similarities are that they encouraged having a military society to prepare for war. Through propaganda, education, youth training and rearmament, they tried to create a new kind of citizen – one who was obedient, disciplined, self-sacrificing and warlike. Both countries intervened in the Spanish Civil War, helping General Franco to establish a Fascist regime. Both left the League of Nations as well.
The difference between both is that Germany strongly wanted to gain revenge and violate against the Treaty of Versailles, compared to Italy. It also was also more aggressive than Italy, aiming to build an empire in Europe. Before joining with Germany, Mussolini at first wanted to cooperate with the west, having signed pacts such as the Briand-Kellogg pact (1928) with other European states to denounce war, settling international disputes. On the other hand, as soon as Hitler went to power it wanted Germany to withdraw from international cooperation; such as withdrawing from Disarmament Conference and League of Nations in 1933
The drastic political changes to Germany had changed the aspects such as economy, socially, diplomatically and culturally. The way of Nazism had control on all these aspects, both negative and positively.
Economically, both Germany and Italy faced severe economic hardships caused by war. They suffered inflations, high unemployment rates and low industrial production. They were both affected by the Great Depression leading to economic depression and increasing dislike towards socialist groups due to the economic damages it has given through strikes.
* In terms of differences, the economic damages by WW1 of Italy weren't as devastating as Germany. Germany had to pay reparations. The number of casualties that Italy suffered were 1/10, meanwhile Germany lost _____. France occupied Ruhr, an industrial region in Germany as well, causing Germany to lose its chances to regain its economy. Germany was also the biggest contributor to the Central Power. The concept of "total war" in World War I, meant that food supplies had to be redirected towards the armed forces. Therefore, the loss only plunged Germany's economic situation to the worst. However, Italy was a poor country compared to Germany even before joining the war, which shows reasonable discontent.
Socially, both countries suffered heavy casualties, however the number of trade union workers improved on the other hand. Furthermore, sense of ‘being cheated’ is mutual in both countries. Because of this, they had social unrest and looked for someone to blame due to their dissatisfaction from the Treaty of Versailles, in which Italy calls it ‘vittoria mutilata’ or ‘mutilated victory’. Germany on the other hand believed that they are being cheated by the government, the Kaiser and even because of the communists and Jews. This fostered a potential threat to social order. The fear of socialists taking over the state led to extreme nationalism. As Italy and Germany highly prioritize social order, it also encourages the idea of fascism and Nazism to unify the nation.
In terms of differences, Italy improved women’s statuses more significantly whilst Germany did not. In Italy, female workers were particularly valued in the munitions factories and the industrial mobilization plants, key areas for a country at war. In contrast, Germany saw fewer women join the workplace than other belligerents, largely due to pressure from trade unions, who were afraid women would undercut men’s jobs.
In cultural aspect, mass media were controlled by the state. They both restrict and reject any form of media that attacks Nazism or Fascism. Both the Fascist and Nazi architecture had a tendency towards monumentalism.
However, Italy encourages free creativity in which there are no fascism elements forced upon. Nazism on the other hand only allowed neoclassicism.
In diplomatic aspect, the Weimar government and the Italian government was weak in diplomatic affairs and treaties. It was ineffective in gaining the people’s interest and were unable to solve many social problems brought by economic disasters such as the Great Depression ,etc. Therefore, many people lost faith in international cooperation. They sought to solve internal economic problems on their own thus leading to Nazism and Fascism.
The difference is that Italy in Mussolini’s rule tried to establish good international relations, but soon after adopted vigorous foreign policy. Nazism directly adopted policy of aggression in diplomacy soon it was established. Both wanted to expand territories in Europe, but Nazism wanted to create a world with Germans as superior race. Italy was looked down as a country because of its weak military and economy even before WW1 , however Germany was considered a threat to peace due to WW1 trauma.