external war" was fought for Spanish subservience to the Italian Empire to place Italy on a war footing and to create "a warrior culture".

In September 1938, the Italian army had made plans to invade Albania, which began on 7 April 1939, and in three days had occupied most of the country. Albania was a territory that Italy could acquire for "living space to ease its overpopulation" as well as a foothold for expansion in the Balkans. Italy invaded France