Italy played a significant role in World War II as one of the Axis Powers alongside Germany and Japan. Initially led by Benito Mussolini, Italy aimed to expand its territory and influence. Italy became involved in the conflict by invading Ethiopia in 1935 and later forming the Rome-Berlin Axis with Nazi Germany in 1936. Mussolini’s ambition for an Italian empire led him to join Germany in declaring war on France and Britain in June 1940.

Italy’s military performance during the war was largely ineffective, marked by defeats in Greece, North Africa, and the Balkans. The Italian invasion of Greece in October 1940 was poorly executed, leading to a counterattack that required German intervention to avoid disaster. In North Africa, Italian forces were unable to match the British, leading to significant German commitment to the region.

Italy’s participation strained Germany’s resources, as the Germans had to support their ally in multiple theaters. The Italian defeat in North Africa and the subsequent Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943 led to Mussolini’s downfall. Italy switched sides after Mussolini’s arrest, with the new government signing an armistice with the Allies in September 1943. This forced Germany to divert troops to occupy Italy and fight the Allies in a prolonged Italian Campaign, weakening German positions on other fronts and contributing to the eventual defeat of the Axis Powers.