CORFU-1923

Aim For propaganda reasons, it was a minor international incident and its significance was much more about image than any tangible foreign policy.

What happened There was a dispute over the border between Greece and Albania. A conference of Ambassadors was organized to oversee negotiations. The Italian officers formed an inspection team. Enrico Tellini, the leader of this delegation and several of his men were killed inside the Greek territory. There was no proof of the murders but Mussolini upheld Italian honor. He sent a seven-point ultimatum to the Greek government demanding an apology and compensation. Greece issued the apology but said that the compensation was too much to pay. In reaction, Mussolini bombarded the Greek Island Corfu killing many civilians. Italian troops occupied Corfu. Mussolini had pre-planned the occupation of Corfu so in a way, this was an excuse for him to occupy it. Greece made protests and were supported by Britain. When Greece went to the League of Nations, Mussolini suggested the conference of Ambassadors should resolve the issue. In the end, the Corfu crisis fizzled out. Greece lacked military strength for a shooting war and Mussolini agreed to pull Italian forces out of Corfu.

Success/Failure Italian intervention 1923 in Corfu was a success. Its significance was mostly about image than any tangible foreign policy. Mussolini achieved the cheap boost to his prestige he was looking for and consolidated his power this helped win public opinion in the lead up to the 1924 elections. Mussolini restored good relations with Britain but his actions weakened the League of Nations at an important stage in development. Mussolinis actions were in some way a dress rehearsal for his approach to the Abyssinian crisis 12 years later.