The "overtaking".

Mussolini had a fixation.
In his opinion UK was declining.
Bad demography,Dominions more and more indipendents,trouble with the pearl of Empire (India).
The idea was that Italy would be in future the great star overcoming the Great Britain.
My question is,assuming a timeline without WW-II (Hitler is shot in great war),the "overtaking" in long period was plausible?
(considers also the huge reserves of Lybian oil availables from 50s).
 
Not really, if there is not WWII the British Empire will not bankrupt himself and have the possibility to create something of more effective on the world stage than OTL Commonwealth, plus her control of great part of the Middle east will be very handy.
Italy was an industrial midget ruled by someone almost incapable of planning on advance and with an economic system more tuned on pleasing the local rich men than on economic efficiency...and frankly the moment Benny die there will be a political mess.
Italy best option is create some EU-like alliance with the other fascist nation of Europe (Spain, Greece, Portugal) and expand her influence on the Balkans
 
Considering his sheer incompetence I honestly wouldn't be surprised if Mussolini sold all the oil to Britain for some magic beans.
 

mowque

Banned
Italy's trade is so dependent on the UK, the longer a war goes on the worse it gets. Everything from steel to oil to modern communications technology. They need another big ally (like Germany) but event hat is just propping up Italy.
 
Top