1937: Calm Before the Storm

Abstract

By 1937, the events of the previous year had left few in doubt that Europe had become a more dangerous place. In November 1936, Mussolini and Hitler had drawn appreciably closer together with the declaration of the Rome-Berlin ‘Axis of European Peace’ — a vague declaration of like-mindedness of the two fascist powers. The agreement signified that Mussolini was very close to deciding that the best deal he could get to help him achieve his ends would come through agreement with Germany. He still had his doubts, but by the end of the year he would abandon his concerns about the importance to Italy of an independent Austria — the final point which divided him from Hitler — and take his chances with Germany. The declaration of the Axis was not a firm alliance, but it certainly was an important milepost on the road towards one.