Hey trying to learn about the intricacies of the Versailles peace conference and a player that I feel isn't mentioned half enough in the literature is Italy. So I ask what are their main objectives at Versailles, I know of the want for Dalmatia and the Adriatic coast but were they keen on harsh reparations, collective security or even the league of nations?
If there's any sources you can recommend I'd be greatly appreciative.
Thank you
As you said, the biggest aim of the Kingdom of Italy was to gain the territories promised to it in the1915 Treaty of London that effectively brought the Italians in the war on the side of the Entente. The biggest priority was Dalmatia and Tyrol, as part of the Risorgimento movement, Dalmatia was seen as natural Italians land, from the Romans to the Venetian Republic.
Over this they mostly clashed with Wilson, who was keen on giving most of the Adriatic coast the newly formed/proposed Kingdom Serbs, Slovenes and Croats, and on their behalf even nullified the aforementioned treaty, and this was done to accordance with his 14 points and 'self determination'. Eventually Italy only gained Istria, parts of West Slovenia and Zara, which had an Italian majority. Under the Treaty of Rapallo between Italy and The Kingdom of SHS/SCS they also gained Fiume/Rijeka.
Italy also had it's eyes on expanding its African holding at the expense of Germany, and gain a sphere of influence in to be divided Ottoman Empire. They managed to hold some lands in Anatolia but eventually had to abandon them, and gained nothing from the Treaty of Lausanne .
Italy was also keen on creating a sphere of influence in Montenegro and Albania, supporting the deposed King Nikola I (whose daughter was the wife of King Victor Emmanuel II) and Montenegrin independence, even supporting a smalluprising of Montenegrin Loyalists. Italy also had control of Albania, but they were eventually kicked out by the Albanians.
