Abyssinia (1935-6) Flashcards
What were the socio-economic reasons for invasion?
1) To exploit the natural resources in Abyssinia. Some thought the country rich in oil.
2) To win markets for Italian exploits.
What were the historic reasons for invasion?
1) To avenge the humiliation of BoAdowa when in 1896 the Abyssinians defeated and inflicted heavy losses on the Italian army.
When was the Battle of Adowa?
1896
What were the personal reasons for invasion?
1) To increase BM’s prestige in Europe and prove to AH that Italy was a power to be reckoned with.
2) To stir up patriotic fervour that would help guarantee BM the continuing support of the Italian people.
3) To further consolidate BM’s own position &, of course, add to his personal prestige.
What were the Fascist reasons for invasion?
1) The time was right. BM assumed that his membership of the SF would secure, if not the support, then the neutrality of F & B for his ambitions in Africa. He had also secretly informed AH that he intended to change his policy & abandon the SF & his Anglo- French allies & seek closer ties with Germany.
2) To give to the world evidence of vitality of Italian Fascism.
What were the propaganda reasons for invasion?
1) To divert the attention of the Italian people from BM’s unkept promises and the regime’s mounting economic problems.
When did the Wal Wal incident occur?
Dec 1934
What was the Wal Wal incident?
A brief confrontation at the Wal Wal oasis in which 150 Abyssinians & 50 Italians were killed. Haile Selassie appealed international arbitration from the LoN. They agreed and set up an inquiry.
When had the Italians established a fort at Wal Wal?
In 1930, several miles inside the Abyssinian border.
Why did BM decide to reject LoN’s mediation?
He claimed that Abyssinia was
“a barbarous & uncivilised state whose conduct placed it outside the Covenant of the LoN”
BM promised Italian soldiers…
… “a war without tears”.
What did the Wal Wal incident show?
That Italy was angling for an excuse to invade.
How many troops did the Italians mobilise?
400k
When did the invasion commence?
3rd October 1935
Who was put in charge of the Italian army?
De Bono (appointed CIC of all Italian forces in E.Africa in March 1935).
How well equipped were the Abyssinian opposition?
Not very- had spears & 1847 rifles.
Why did the war take so long?
The advance of the Italians were frustratingly slow & BM lost patience.
In Dec 1935, BM sacked De Bono and replaced him w/ Badoglio.
What dilemmas did BM face?
1) MILITARY: how to win the war.
2) DIPLOMATICALLY: how to cope with the threat of international action to force him to back down.
Why did the length of the conquest affect the international reaction?
A quick decisive victory might have enabled BM to avoid a major international reaction but the war had lasted 8M. This allowed time for opposition to grow and for the LoN to become involved.
