The declaration of war by Fascist Italy on June 10, 1940, marked a significant escalation in World War II, highlighting Italy's ambitions under the leadership of Benito Mussolini. Motivated by the desire to assert its power and reclaim territories deemed part of the Italian Empire, Mussolini saw the opportunity created by the swift German victories in France as a chance to further Italy's strategic goals. The invasion of southern France began in the wake of France's impending defeat, with Italian forces advancing into the region of Provence.

The Italian military faced several challenges during this invasion, primarily due to logistical difficulties, poor planning, and lack of preparedness compared to the German forces. Mussolini’s ambitions to seize territory were fueled by hopes of quickly achieving glory and expanding Italy’s influence in a post-war Europe styled after the Axis Powers. Italy's declaration came after a period of relative inactivity in the war while it awaited an advantageous moment to strike.

The result of Italy's actions was a brief and limited campaign, as the Italian offensive met strong resistance from French defenders who were still regrouping from their defeat against German forces. Despite the declaration, the Italian advance was often slow, and the campaign did not achieve the significant territorial gains that Mussolini had anticipated. Italy's entry into the war underlined the complexity of alliances and power dynamics in Europe, setting the stage for further confrontations between the Axis and Allied powers.