Hitler did not want the other major powers in Europe to form an alliance against him. He wanted to prevent his enemies from forming a powerful united front against Germany.
Some alliances had already been formed, the most dangerous (for Germany) being the one between Britain, France and Italy.
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Hitler also realised that his best defence against possible enemies was to form strong alliances of his own.
The Stresa Front
This was a treaty between Britain, France and Italy.
It was not a strong alliance, as there was mutual distrust between the countries.
France and Italy were at each other's throats regularly, whereas the naval pact that Britain had signed with Germany angered the French.
The last straw for this alliance was the Italian invasion of Abyssinia and the inability of the League of Nations (led by Britain and France) to act effectively.
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The Rome-Berlin Axis
This informal agreement was signed between Germany and Italy on 21 October 1936.
The two countries agreed to work more closely together. Although this was not in any way an offensive treaty, it was the start of a relationship between two of Europe's most important and dangerous dictatorships.
Reasons why Germany and Italy were drawn closer together:
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