Pact of Steel

Pact of Steel, Mussolini's name for a military alliance between Italy and Germany which was signed in Berlin on 22 May 1939 by the two countries' foreign ministers, Ciano and Ribbentrop. It declared that either country would come to the aid of the other if it were attacked and the Italians signed it on the verbal understanding that neither power would provoke war before 1943. Ciano recorded in his diary that Hitler was well satisfied with the Pact, and confirmed that Mediterranean policy would be directed by Italy. However, the Pact's political effect was much reduced by Japan's refusal to join it. See also Axis strategy and co-operation.