Mussolini's public pose as a commanding fascist dictator concealed the weaker industrial and political position he occupied in 1930. Italian institutions still contained figures willing to denounce him, while many grand development schemes were failing. He therefore needed the conference to confer great-power status and used reluctance to participate as negotiating leverage. The contrast helps explain how theatrical strength and patient diplomacy could win treaty freedom even before Italy possessed the capacity for rapid rearmament.
Notable Point · 29:42-31:41
Mussolini's projected strength exceeded his real control
Italy's weak industry and surviving domestic opposition made Mussolini's performance of strength especially important to his treaty leverage.