Mussolini announced his decision—one bitterly opposed by his foreign minister, Galeazzo Ciano—to huge crowds across Italy on June 10. Knowledgia Recommended for you. | Animated History - Duration: 10:03. Why did Italy switch sides in WW2? Some of the leaders and businessmen of Italy and the citizens wanted to switch sides. - Duration: 10:10. Italy Switches Sides. Meanwhile, German troops and sympathetic Italians continued to fight the Allies. Italy entered World War II on the Axis side on June 10, 1940, as the defeat of France became apparent. So the italian government claimed that the treaty did not apply. Italy signed the treaty of London, Committing itself to enter WWI on the side of the allies on April 26, 1915. How did Italy Become a Country? The Italian government was no longer on Germany’s side, but they had a leader to rally other Italians behind. Better to try and end the war quicker and thus limit the damage by changing sides. So began the final phase of the relationship. Italy - Italy - World War II: Only in June 1940, when France was about to fall and World War II seemed virtually over, did Italy join the war on Germany’s side, still hoping for territorial spoils. Italy didn't exactly "switch " sides and you have to remember the country was an ally of Britain in WW 1. Why did Italy change sides in WW2? The new Italian government made peace with the Allies and switched sides. 10:10. Triple alliance,secret agreement between Germany, Austria-Hungary,and Italy formed in may 1882 and renewed periodically until world war 1. The other answer to your question, of course, is that Germany and Italy at the start of WW2 … World War 2 Answer In WW2, the Italian government did NOT switch sides. ... Why did Italy switch sides in World War 1? Italy Divided. On May 23, 1915, Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary, entering World War I on the side of the Allies—Britain, France and Russia.. The average Italian didn't want the country to be an ally with Germany to begin with. But in WW1 it was Germany that formally declared war first on Russia (on August 1, 1914) and then on France (on August 3). Why did Italy join World War 2?