The goal of the Italian leader , Benito Mussolini , was the elimination Removing of Anglo-French domination in the Mediterranean , the reclamation of historically Italian territory ( `` Italia irredenta '' ) and the expansion Expansion of Italian influence Influence over the Balkans and in Africa .

France and Britain tried during the 1930s to draw Mussolini away from an alliance with Germany but the rapid German successes from 1938 to 1940 made Italian intervention on the German side inevitable by May 1940 .

The Italian leader , Benito Mussolini , was toppled Change_of_leadership from power in Italy and the way was opened Openness for the Allied Cause_to_amalgamate invasion Attack of Italy .

The Italian victory coincided with the zenith of the popularity of dictator Benito Mussolini and the Fascist regime at home and abroad .