The invasion of Abyssinia 1935: a crisis too many for the League?
Comparison of Italy with Japan:
Similarity:
- Leading members of LN
- Military dictatorships
- Both want empire and resources
Difference:
- Italy was a European country
- France bordered Italy
- Abyssinia bordered Br and Fr Empire in Africa
- Suez Canal was Br.
Why did Italy want to invade?
- Italy doesn’t have an empire in 1930 but wanted one because they believe
they originated empires in the Roman Empire.
- In 1896 Italy attempted to invade Abyssinia (Modern day Ethiopia) but
were defeated
- Mussolini was humiliated and wanted revenge
- He wanted the fertile soil and wealth from Abyssinia
- However, his focus was victory, glory and conquest
- He wanted to restore the glory of the Roman Empire
Invasion Phase 1:
December 1934:
- Dispute between Italian soldiers and Abyssinia at Wal Wal (just inside
territory but near Italian Somaliland)
- Mussolini demanded an apology and prepared to invade
- Abyssinia Emperor Haile Selassie went to the League of Nations for help
January 1935 – October 1935:
- Mussolini is supposed to be negotiating – but same time shipping army to
Abyssinia and encouraging war at home
- Britain and France were aware of Mussolini but wanted to ignore it
because they were dealing with Hitler and recovering from the Depression
April 1935 – Stresa front pact:
Comparison of Italy with Japan:
Similarity:
- Leading members of LN
- Military dictatorships
- Both want empire and resources
Difference:
- Italy was a European country
- France bordered Italy
- Abyssinia bordered Br and Fr Empire in Africa
- Suez Canal was Br.
Why did Italy want to invade?
- Italy doesn’t have an empire in 1930 but wanted one because they believe
they originated empires in the Roman Empire.
- In 1896 Italy attempted to invade Abyssinia (Modern day Ethiopia) but
were defeated
- Mussolini was humiliated and wanted revenge
- He wanted the fertile soil and wealth from Abyssinia
- However, his focus was victory, glory and conquest
- He wanted to restore the glory of the Roman Empire
Invasion Phase 1:
December 1934:
- Dispute between Italian soldiers and Abyssinia at Wal Wal (just inside
territory but near Italian Somaliland)
- Mussolini demanded an apology and prepared to invade
- Abyssinia Emperor Haile Selassie went to the League of Nations for help
January 1935 – October 1935:
- Mussolini is supposed to be negotiating – but same time shipping army to
Abyssinia and encouraging war at home
- Britain and France were aware of Mussolini but wanted to ignore it
because they were dealing with Hitler and recovering from the Depression
April 1935 – Stresa front pact:
