Albania had a large economic and industrial importance to Italy. Benito Mussolini took power in 1922 and started exploiting the country's mineral resources. Italy also had large amount of trade with Albania. The two countries made a defensive alliance in 1927. As Hitler annexed Austria and conquered Czechoslovakia, Mussolini felt that he was the weaker member of the "Pact of Steel". Italy offered King Zog 1st, leader of the Albanians, money in exchange for full colonization of his country. He refused. As riots broke out in the streets of Albania demanding that the country be defended at all cost, Mussolini prepared the attack.
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