Invasion of Abyssinia, 1935
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 2.4.3
Invasion of Abyssinia, 1935
Mussolini's invasion of Abyssinia and the subsequent reaction of the League of Nations and the members within it showed how weak and divided the League really was.
Italian Empire
- Mussolini (right wing, fascist leader of Italy) wanted to create an empire for his country.
- He promised his people he would recreate the Roman Empire.
- In order to do this, he planned to invade Abyssinia in Africa.
Abyssinia
- Mussolini wanted Abyssinia because:
- It was rich in natural resources.
- Italy had neighbouring colonies in Africa.
- He wanted revenge for a previous failed attempt at taking them over in 1896.
The Stresa Front
- In 1935 Great Britain and France signed the Stresa Front with Mussolini.
- This treaty stated that all 3 countries would join forces against Hitler if he attacked them.
- Mussolini saw this as a green light to do as he wished and he invaded Abyssinia.
- He thought if Britain & France were scared of Hitler.
- Then they would let him do whatever he wanted in Africa, because they wanted his support against Germany.
Reactions of the League
- The League tried to stop Mussolini but he refused to listen.
- The League placed Italy under some economic sanctions.
- But they didn't use the strongest sanctions that would have harmed Italy more.
- The League banned its members from selling weapons to Italy.
- But they still allowed Italy to buy fuel (oil) and raw materials from members.
- Fuel, metals and other raw materials were needed for their military campaign in Abyssinia.
The Hoare Laval Pact 1935
- In secret, the Hoare Laval Pact 1935 was signed by the British, French and Italians.
- This treaty allowed Mussolini to invade Abyssinia.
Impact on the League
- This destroyed any power the League of Nations had.
- It also showed that the League’s own members didn’t adhere to the covenant of the League and they were just out for themselves.
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